Sustainable Development Goals
Introduction to the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs)
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 interconnected goals adopted by all
United Nations Member States in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
They represent a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, both now
and in the future. The SDGs are an urgent call for action from all countries, developed and
developing, in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations
must be addressed alongside strategies to improve health and education, reduce inequality, spur
economic growth, and tackle climate change while preserving natural resources.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The SDGs are:
1. SDG 1 - No Poverty: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
2. SDG 2 - Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition and promote
sustainable agriculture.
3. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all
ages.
4. SDG 4 - Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote
lifelong learning opportunities for all.
5. SDG 5 - Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
6. SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensure availability and sustainable management of
water and sanitation for all.
7. SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and
modern energy for all.
8. SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable
economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
9. SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote
inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.
10. SDG 10 - Reduce Inequalities: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
11. SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive,
safe, resilient and sustainable.
12. SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production: Ensure sustainable consumption and
production patterns.
13. SDG 13 - Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
14. SDG 14 - Life Below Water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine
resources for sustainable development.
15. SDG 15 - Life on Land: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial
ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land
degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
16. SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies
for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable
and inclusive institutions at all levels.
17. SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize
the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.
The Three Pillars of Sustainability and the SDGs
The SDGs are built upon the three pillars of sustainability: Environmental, Social, and Economic.
These pillars provide a framework for categorizing the goals.
Environmental Pillar
Goals that primarily focus on the health of the planet and its ecosystems.
SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG 13 - Climate Action
SDG 14 - Life Below Water
SDG 15 - Life on Land
Social Pillar
Goals that address human well-being, equity, and societal development.
SDG 1 - No Poverty
SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
SDG 4 - Quality Education
SDG 5 - Gender Equality
SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
SDG 10 - Reduce Inequalities
SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Economic Pillar
Goals that focus on economic growth, development, and prosperity.
SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals
The Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact
The UN Global Compact is a voluntary initiative based on companies committing to align their
strategies and operations with universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour,
environment, and anti-corruption, and to take actions that advance societal goals. Corporate
sustainability begins with a company's value system and a principles-based approach to doing
business.
Human Rights
1. Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human
rights.
2. Businesses should make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.
Labour
3. Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right
to collective bargaining.
4. Businesses should uphold the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour.
5. Businesses should uphold the effective abolition of child labour.
6. Businesses should uphold the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and
occupation.
Environment
7. Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges.
8. Businesses should undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility.
9. Businesses should encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly
technologies.
Anti-Corruption
10. Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.
The Role of Companies in Achieving the SDGs
All companies, regardless of size or industry, can play a role in achieving the SDGs. This involves
two key aspects:
1. Doing Business Responsibly: This means incorporating the Ten Principles of the UN Global
Compact into their strategies, policies, and procedures, and establishing a culture of integrity.
Good practices in one area do not offset harm in another.
2. Pursuing Opportunities to Solve Societal Challenges: Companies can leverage business
innovation and collaboration to address global challenges such as climate crises, poverty, and
inequality. These challenges represent a large and growing market for business innovation.
Acting responsibly by integrating the Ten Principles and seeking opportunities to solve societal
challenges are fundamental ways for businesses to advance the SDG agenda.