We’ve reached the midpoint of the world’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was set in motion in 2015. Despite a surge in investments labelled as "sustainable" and more SDG mentions in corporate ESG reports, the latest United Nations progress report reveals a concerning reality: the world is off track on 80% of the targets under the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Challenge: Navigating SDG-washing
SDG-washing is a growing phenomenon in the investment and corporate sectors. While some cases are intentional, others are unintentional—driven by the desire to align with global efforts. Many decision-makers struggle to understand the genuine social impact of their corporate initiatives or investment decisions. Common challenges include:
- Confusion over credible frameworks and actionable guidance for contributing to the SDGs.
- Uncertainty about which tools effectively measure the social impact of corporate initiatives or investment portfolios.
- Difficulty in quantifying impact or setting meaningful KPIs to track and drive impact.
A Solution: SDG Impact Standards
To address these challenges, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) introduced the SDG Impact Standards. These are not reporting standards. Instead, they complement leading disclosure frameworks by providing best-practice guidance for embedding sustainability and impact management into core business and investment decisions, moving beyond mere SDG alignment to drive real SDG-contributing actions.
Additionally, UNDP is developing two supplementary initiatives to strengthen the credibility of impact claims made by businesses and investors:
- SDG Impact Assurance Scheme: A mechanism to assure impact claims against minimum thresholds and promote continuous improvement toward best practices.
- ISO Guidelines for Contributing to the SDGs: Launched just two weeks ago, these new ISO guidelines (ISO/UNDP PAS 53002:2024) help organisations actively manage and optimise their contributions to the SDGs.
Upcoming Training Opportunity
To equip business leaders and sustainability practitioners with the clarity and tools needed to integrate impact management into their decision-making processes, we are offering the SDG Impact Standards for Enterprises Training Course. The next cohort is scheduled for October-November 2024. This four-day intensive programme, led by experienced sustainability professionals and Accredited Trainers from UNDP’s SDG Impact and Social Value International, is designed to provide a deep dive into impact management and measurement. Registration is now open.
For more details, please visit our website or download the course brochure. We’re also available to discuss your specific training needs.
PIE Strategy is a Certified B Corporation® and an internationally recognised impact-driven sustainability consultancy. We provide independent, professional advisory services to corporations and investors across Asia, helping businesses integrate ESG considerations into their strategies to build resilience and drive sustainable growth, while delivering better outcomes for people and the planet.
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