What are the most effective strategies for aligning with SDGs?

Key in the exercise in my experience to align with SDGs is to understand it's potential beyond the grid image. This means going to target level and grasp the systemic, interdependent character of the goals, and then zoom in on where you feel there's a need, energy, an opportunity, trust, ... to define a entry point into that complex set of goals and targets, but to then branch out again, and contribute relevance, scale, priority, transition pathway, cost of non-action, etc to the different actions. SDGs should be used as a tool and not as a snapshot exercise for reporting. Including the different societal stakeholders, to understand agendas, languages, roles, responsibilities, partnership and value models should be part of the approach.

In my perspective, for companies aligning the stakeholder expectations and company priorities through a materiality analysis is a good way to start. This will enable companies to focus on areas that they can actually make contribution. Once you have the material issues listed, you can develop clear strategies on the SDGs. Additionally, sustainable development is only possible with partnerships as outlined in SDG#17. Therefore, strategies that provide the golden triangle, which is the collaboration between governments, private sector, and civil society, will be effective.

To align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), first, identify which goals match your organization's vision or leadership ambition. Go beyond symbolic support by studying your chosen SDG in-depth, focusing on key success indicators and assessing your current status. Collaboration is essential; find partners already engaged in similar work. Explore collaborative opportunities to amplify their efforts, aiming to exponentially increase impact. Work together to achieve individual and collective goals efficiently, contributing to global objectives. Remember, success in SDGs requires joint efforts and strategic partnerships.

In my experience, understanding your current impact across the environmental, social, and economic dimensions is very important. One thing I have found useful is use of Tools like Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) and Social Impact Assessments (SIAs).

Looking at the interconnected nature of impacts is crucial. For example there is a link between SDG12 and 13 insofar as material extraction / consumption / end of life treatment is also a climate story. GHG is not only a pure energy systems question, and to that point the recent UAE Consensus coming out of COP28 clearly underlines the importance of circular economy approaches in climate change mitigation.

A thorough screening of all 169 SDG targets is a useful exercise to narrow down the specific areas in which a company (depending on its sector, value chain structure etc) can make a real difference. Intuitive objective setting has limitations, and understanding one's predominant impacts, mapped against SDG targets, is a good way forward.

Mapping the SDGs is a great process and tool. We have an analysis of those that pertain particularly to women and girls and this has proved useful for those wishing to be involved but feeling the whole thing is "too big" for them. The mapping can show the ways in which organisations and those working in them can contribute to the implementation of the SDGs in a meaningful and effective way.

When it comes to being a socially conscientious or ambassador for sustainable development, global benchmarks cannot be the only baseline tool as that would just affirm a marketing tactic. Given the stead-fast growth rate of transition into sustainable-tech, we must consider the reality that : recent studies suggest [with a growth based capital industrial complex] in order for people to achieve normal life expectancy and meet their basic needs as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has risen and whilst the SDG goals have shown statistical improvement to an extend, 50% of the global population still falls bellow the poverty line. Profitability/efficiency based markets themselves must take these things into consideration.

SMEs possess a distinctive opportunity to make meaningful contributions to SDGs by identifying and implementing quick wins or easily achievable initiatives. These initial successes not only create momentum but also highlight the tangible benefits of sustainability efforts, laying a robust foundation for future initiatives. To further enhance their impact, SMEs can measure and benchmark these initiatives and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) using internationally recognized sustainability reporting frameworks such as GRI, CDP, etc. This adherence to established frameworks adds credibility to their sustainability practices and facilitates comparisons with industry standards.

One great way to not only implement and evaluate your actions would be the response and integration of marginalized community perspectives and concerns on your structures/outcomes. That requires transparency and authenticity in critical roadblocks to sustainable future for ALL and respect for communitarian concerns on how to possibly elevate and provide fair and equal opportunities to those who have been historically and unjustly left behind in the race due to economic inequality or colonial structures of finance.

To effectively evaluate the results of aligning with the SDGs, it's crucial to set clear, measurable objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) for each relevant SDG your organization focuses on. This approach enables you to track progress, assess impact, and identify areas for improvement. Regularly reporting on these outcomes, both internally and externally, enhances transparency and accountability. Additionally, leveraging stakeholder feedback can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of your SDG initiatives. By consistently measuring & communicating your achievements and challenges, you can refine your strategies to maximize your contribution to the SDGs, ensuring your efforts lead to meaningful & sustainable outcomes.

Effective alignment with SDGs involves communicating impactful stories of contribution. For instance, a renewable energy company could highlight its solar energy projects, showcasing how they directly contribute to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by providing clean electricity to underserved communities, thereby improving access to energy and reducing carbon emissions. Similarly, a fair trade organization could share stories of smallholder farmers benefiting from fair wages and sustainable farming practices, aligning with SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). By emphasizing tangible outcomes and human impact, organizations can inspire action, raise awareness, and build trust with stakeholders.

To better align with the SDGs & contribute to its achievement, companies can consider the following: 1-Integrate SDGs into sustainability strategy. 2-Prioritize relevant SDGs: Just like identifying material topics, Understand which SDGs are most relevant to your business. 3-Align with national priorities: Use these priorities as a guide, align with those priorities to amplify impact & enhance results at a national level. 4-Align at SDGs target levels: The SDGs contain 169 targets, aligning at target level gives companies a better view of what can be done for each SDGs & to what extent they can go. 5-Partnerships for the SDGs: Collaborate with other organizations, NGOs, and governments to amplify impact & share best practices.

Examine your “strategic road map”. Preferably a 3 to 5 year map. Understand where people and planet is interwoven : basically entire supply chain. Example Say vendors ; do u have a reservation for minority vendors ?? Ask your pertinent questions for each part of the supply chain. These nodes are where u start working on SDGs. Once u map the SDGs to each part of the supply chain ; draw policies / change policies as per requirements for ESG. Typically best practices are to be adopted here.

The SDGs while critical features, are just one element of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The call to Leave No One Behind is an important aspect where significantly more practical thinking is needed to reach the last mile across a range of at-risk populations. Tackling this and other principles of the spirit of the 2030 Agenda is just as important as alignment to the letter of any of the specific 17 Goals and 169 targets.

Indeed looking at Agenda 2030 as a whole is important. For example being part of the HLPF through civil society portals. Or working with Government on their statements. One can also share insights or comments with Government departments on the issues being considered by the HLPF in a specific session in preparation to that session. Or contribute to a civil society shadow statement. The reporting element of Agenda 2030 is the mechanism to call all stakeholders to account, so being part of this process can increase implementation.