Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of universal goals for sustainable development. They are approved by the 193 member states of the United Nations, to replace the Millennium Goals (MDGs, 2000-2015) and further the transition to a more sustainable society. The countries that have signed this 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in New York, including Belgium, are committed to using the SDGs to frame their 2030 sustainability strategies.

The seventeen objectives and their 169 sub-objectives and a whole range of concrete indicators were divided into 5 groups (People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnerships) and cover very different themes:

1. End poverty everywhere and in all its forms

2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture

3. Ensure good health and promote prosperity for all ages

4. Ensure equal access to quality education and promote lifelong learning for all

5. Achieve gender equality and empowerment for all women and girls

6. Ensure access and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation

10. Reduce inequality within and between countries.

11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impact

14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and maritime resources

15. Protect, restore and promote the sustainable use of ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat and reverse desertification and land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, ensure access to justice for all and create effective, accountable and open institutions at all levels

17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

 In order to prevent companies or organizations from brightening up their achievements with the colors of multiple SDG icons of their choice, it is important to implement them systematically as part of a CSR approach or sustainability strategy. For this, companies or organizations must align their strategy with all SDGs. In order to integrate the SDGs into policy making, they must at least come from each of the 5 groups of SDGs (people, planet, profit, peace and partnership). In short, companies can implement the SDGs effectively by connecting them in business practice.