What are the UN SDGs?
Adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.
The framework consists of 17 interconnected Goals, supported by 169 specific targets and 230 unique indicators to track progress. These goals are: No poverty (SDG 1), Zero hunger (SDG 2), Good health and well-being (SDG 3), Quality education (SDG 4), Gender equality (SDG 5), Clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), Affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), Decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), Industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), Reduced inequalities (SDG 10), Sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), Responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), Climate action (SDG 13), Life below water (SDG 14), Life on land (SDG 15), Peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16), and Partnerships for the goals (SDG 17).
These goals address the world’s most critical economic, social, and environmental challenges, making them an invaluable guide for corporate ESG strategy and reporting.
While voluntary for companies, the SDGs are increasingly central to national policies. This makes them a critical framework for businesses to future-proof their operations, mitigate risk, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to sustainable development.