Last updated on Feb 13, 2024

How can you align your CSR program with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals?

As an executive, you know that corporate social responsibility (CSR) is not only a moral duty, but also a strategic advantage. By aligning your CSR program with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), you can demonstrate your commitment to global challenges, enhance your reputation, and create value for your stakeholders. But how can you do it effectively and authentically? Here are some tips to help you.

1 Understand the SDGs

The SDGs are a set of 17 goals and 169 targets that aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030. They cover a wide range of issues, such as climate change, health, education, gender equality, and social justice. They are based on the principle of leaving no one behind and integrating the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. You can learn more about them on the UN website.

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Jamill Manuel García Brito, PMP, PMO-CP, MBA

PMP, PMO-CP, MBA Dirección Ejecutiva
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Los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) representan un compromiso global adoptado por los países miembros de las Naciones Unidas en 2015, con la visión de erradicar la pobreza, proteger el medio ambiente y asegurar la paz y la prosperidad para todos en el planeta para el año 2030. Los 17 objetivos abarcan desde la eliminación de la pobreza y el hambre hasta la promoción de la educación de calidad, la igualdad de género, el trabajo decente, y la lucha contra el cambio climático. Estos objetivos están interconectados y diseñados para ser aplicables a todos los países, promoviendo acciones en las esferas económica, social y ambiental del desarrollo sostenible.

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2 Assess your impact

Before you align your CSR program with the SDGs, you need to understand how your business impacts them, both positively and negatively. You can use tools such as the SDG Compass, the B Impact Assessment, or the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards to measure and report your performance on the relevant indicators. You can also engage your stakeholders, such as employees, customers, suppliers, and communities, to identify their expectations and needs.

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Mamta Dalal
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Evaluate which of the 17 SDGs might already be in place in your program. Identify which ones are missing or yet to be aligned. Formulate an action plan how the program can be transformed to support those SDGs. Start small. Say if you are yet to align 12 of the 17 goals, don't jump to meet all of them right away, rather tackle them gradually. Don't be shy to ask for advice from experts in the Sustainability community. Often, you'd be surprised by their generosity and rich advice.

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3 Select your priorities

You don't have to address all the SDGs at once. You can prioritize the ones that are most relevant to your core business, your industry, your geography, and your stakeholders. You can use a materiality matrix to map the importance of each SDG for your business and for society. You can also benchmark your competitors and peers to see how they are aligning with the SDGs and identify gaps and opportunities.

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Alberto Navia-Osorio Pascual

Country Manager Viatris Portugal
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It’s a critical part of your CSR plan, so plan it meticulously to ensure you are putting in the right efforts and setting the expectations. In Viatris Portugal we have the privilege of working with a CSR committee that launched a survey among all colleagues to identify sensitivities and interests to prepare the annual plan. By doing this, we ensure we are identifying the most engaging goals and that colleagues, relatives and friends will enhance the activities.

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4 Set your goals

Once you have selected your priority SDGs, you need to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for your CSR program. You can use the SDG targets as a reference, but you should also customize them to your context and capabilities. You can also align your goals with other frameworks, such as the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for climate action, or the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) for gender equality.

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5 Implement your actions

To achieve your goals, you need to implement concrete actions that address the root causes and the impacts of the issues related to your priority SDGs. You can use the SDG Action Manager, a tool developed by the UN Global Compact and B Lab, to plan, track, and improve your actions. You can also collaborate with other organizations, such as NGOs, governments, or academia, to leverage their expertise and resources and create synergies.

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6 Communicate your progress

Finally, you need to communicate your progress and your challenges in aligning your CSR program with the SDGs. You can use the GRI Standards, the UN Global Compact Communication on Progress (COP), or the SDG Reporting Handbook to guide your reporting. You can also use storytelling, case studies, and testimonials to showcase your impact and inspire others. You should be transparent, honest, and accountable, and invite feedback and dialogue from your stakeholders.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you align your CSR program with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals?

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1 Understand the SDGs

2 Assess your impact

3 Select your priorities

4 Set your goals

5 Implement your actions

6 Communicate your progress

7 Here’s what else to consider

Executive Management

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How can you align your CSR program with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand the SDGs

2 Assess your impact

3 Select your priorities

4 Set your goals

5 Implement your actions

6 Communicate your progress

7 Here’s what else to consider

Executive Management

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