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What are the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

In 2015, 193 world leaders agreed on 17 goals to tackle poverty, equality and climate change. These are the UN Sustainable Development Goals, otherwise known as the SDGs or Global Goals. They have the power to create a better world by 2030, but need the support of governments, businesses and individuals.

The goals are simple. There are 17 in total, and they aim to tackle a wide variety of social, environmental and political issues that, when achieved, will create a better, more sustainable future. Behind the 17 goals, there are 169 targets and 232 indicators used to record progress towards the goals. If you’ve only just heard about the goals, and want to know how your business can do good, just focus on the 17 goals for now.

Why should businesses get behind them?

According to the United Nations, “the SDGs provide all businesses with a new lens through which to translate the world’s needs and ambitions into business solutions." The goals provide a global action plan in a common language, among a confusing world of sustainability terminology: Environmental, Social and Governance, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Triple Bottom Line. 

They also present a wealth of business opportunities. So along with doing the right thing, your business benefits as well. Whether its, inspiring and attracting the right talent of those determined to make positive change, or strengthening relationships with customers and suppliers as 90% of citizens believe it is important that business signs up to the SDGs - your business needs the Goals as much as the Goals need you! 85% of businesses are already supporting the Sustainable Development Goals - are you one of them?

The tech-factor

Whilst no industry is an island, the tech sector definitely isn’t. We all know that technology is one of the driving forces towards a more sustainable future, from innovative renewable energies to revolutionary healthcare machinery. So, technology companies should be at the forefront of driving the movement towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Support the Goals research shows that 80% of technology businesses do not support the Sustainable Development Goals. What’s more, only 8% of businesses in the technology sector have set measurable targets in support of at least 1 goal. In comparison to the energy sector, where 32% businesses have measurable targets, laggy performance isn’t just a hardware issue: it’s an industry issue.

Which goals are techies supporting?

Tech support for the Global Goals might be less than desired, but let’s provide a breakdown of what goals the technology sector is supporting, when they are #supportingthegoals.

Unsurprisingly, the most common priority goal of the technology industry is Goal 13: Climate Action. Currently accounting for 2-3% of all global emissions, and predicted to increase as the online world takes over, there’s a clear call for the technology industry to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Protecting the planet is closely followed by protecting people and profit, with Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth being the second most supported goal by tech companies. This goal promotes sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth along with full and productive employment and decent work for all. The growth rate for jobs in tech is double the national jobs rate in the US. This means people are entering the tech sector at a rapid rate, so ensuring a safe working environment is more important than ever.

Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production takes bronze position, being the third most supported goal by the technology sector. But, despite its position, this goal is where the tech sector has the most responsibility, and makes the greatest impact. Target 12.2 aims to achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. Plus, Target 12.4 promotes the responsible management of chemicals and waste, and Target 12.5 advocates substantially reducing waste generation. Considering that e-waste is the world's fastest-growing domestic waste stream, fuelled by high consumption rate, short life cycles and a lack of repair: SDG12 is where the tech sector can step up.

An honourable mention must go to Goal 5: Gender Equality. Gender disparity is rife in the technology industry. Just 5% of leadership roles in this sector are held by women. The goal focuses on the empowerment of women and girls. Gender inequality isn’t just a human rights issue, but a waste of the world’s human  potential! As the 4th most supported goal by the industry; there’s good progress made, but much more to be done.

What should you do next?

It's clear that technology has a massive role to play in the world’s greatest action plan - which means you can make a lot of impact. Think about how your business can help achieve these goals by 2030, and prevent the volume of e-waste reaching 120 million tonnes annually.

Take a look at how some of the biggest tech industries in the UK are contributing to the goals on the Business SDG Tracker. Get inspiration from their actions and targets, and see how your business can get behind the goals. 

Join Support The Goals.

You can join Support the Goals. It is an initiative to reward businesses for supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The simple rating system is a roadmap to guide businesses on how to improve.

In joining Support the Goals, your business will be awarded an SDG Rating to measure your contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. With this rating, you’ll understand how your actions are advancing the goals, and follow a roadmap of your next steps, for free! You’ll also get access to a growing library of videos, guides, and collateral on how to build support for the SDGs into your business.

Don’t worry if you aren’t doing anything yet, this rating helps you understand how your current actions are advancing the goals - without you even knowing! Your rating will act as a roadmap, highlighting the next steps you should take, for free! You’ll also get access to a growing library of videos, guides, and collateral on how to build support for the SDGs into your business.

Spreading the word

The best way to support the Sustainable Development Goals is to raise awareness, whether that's to your customers, or your suppliers. There’s optional membership upgrades to help you do this. You can communicate your support and Business SDG Rating with the Communications Upgrade, or educate and involve your suppliers in the SDGs with the Supplier Education Upgrade.

Learn more about the upgrades available

Joining Techies Go Green

If you want to learn more about sustainability and what your company can do to become more sustainable, consider joining Techies Go Green. Techies Go Green is a movement dedicated to decarbonising IT and tech-oriented companies through collaborating and sharing knowledge. Membership is open to both companies and individuals within the UK and Ireland. We would love to have you join and to help you in your journey towards sustainability and decarbonisation.