Achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a complex and multifaceted challenge that involves addressing a wide range of social, economic, and environmental issues. In a world marked by rapid changes and interconnected global challenges, achieving the SDGs has become imperative for a better and more sustainable future. While many focus on environmental sustainability, there's another critical dimension that often goes overlooked but is equally vital – social sustainability.
In this week’s newsletter, we will explore the compelling link between social sustainability and the attainment of the SDGs. We will dive deep into why social sustainability matters, its direct impact on the SDGs, and how individuals, organizations, and communities can contribute to this transformative journey.
Why we do it
We do this because when it comes to social equity, the world still hasn’t come far enough.
The pursuit of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals is critical to the future success of your business, and it’s a key component of innovation. Social — Human — Equity (SHE) pursues social sustainability by engaging primarily in these four Sustainable Development Goals: 5, 8, 10, 17.
We must act now, what is stopping us?
According to a recent report by the United Nations regarding the progress made, the numbers are dire. Halfway to the deadline for the 2030 agenda, the SDG Progress Report; Special Edition shows that “we are leaving more than half the world behind” as progress on more than 50% of the SDGs is “weak and insufficient” and on 30% it has “stalled or gone into reverse.” These include key targets on poverty, equality, hunger, and climate. Hence, this report shows how the world is on track to achieve only 15% of the 140 SDG targets it reviewed, out of a total of 169.
To quote UN Secretary-General António Guterres:
"Unless we act now, the 2030 Agenda could become an epitaph for a world that might have been"
The findings in this report underscores a pressing need for immediate action. Thus, it is evident that the importance of developing sustainable and ethical business practices has become even more urgent – so what is holding us back?
The Interconnectedness of the SDGs
The SDGs are not standalone objectives, but a web of interrelated goals, where progress in one area can catalyse progress in others. With this approach to the goals, it is vital to recognise role of social sustainability as a unifying force.
The social dimension of sustainability is an integral component of the SDGs because it addresses the well-being of individuals and communities, promotes equity and inclusivity, contributes to social stability, and ensures a more holistic and integrated approach to sustainable development. Out of the 17 goals, 10 are directly connected to social issues.
By putting people and human needs at the core of business, we can create more resilient business models that are better able to handle and overcome economic, environmental, and social challenges. Social justice is a business concern, and when we promote social equity within organisations, they can more easily adapt other necessary changes.
When prioritising social sustainability, it becomes much easier to attract and retain the right talent, manage risks, have a positive environmental impact and an overall more sustainable business strategy.
Corporate responsibility
A lack of awareness and engagement at both a corporate and grassroots level can impede the implementation of SDGs. While it is urgent to align our strategies with the SDGs, we have to truly understand why it matters.
Some key figures and takeaways from the 2023 SDG Progress report show that:
Goal 5: Gender Equality - At this rate it will take an estimated 300 years to end child marriage, 286 years to close gaps in legal protection and remove discriminatory laws, 140 years for women to be represented equally in positions of power and leadership in the workplace, and 47 years to achieve equal representation in national parliaments.
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth - Before the pandemic, the incidence of informal employment had been slowly declining, from 58.6 per cent in 2015 to 57.8 per cent in 2019. However, COVID-19 lockdowns and containment measures resulted in disproportionate job losses for informal workers, particularly women. The subsequent recovery was driven by informal employment, which saw a slight uptick, reaching 58.0 per cent in 2022. This corresponds to around 2 billion workers in precarious jobs without social protection.
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities - 1 in 6 people worldwide has experienced discrimination in some form, with women and people with disabilities disproportionately affected. Last year we witnessed the highest number of refugees (34.6 million people) ever documented. This year is also a deadly one for migrants, with nearly 7,000 deaths recorded globally.
Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals - Geopolitical tensions and the resurgence of nationalism hinder international cooperation and coordination, highlighting the importance of a collective surge in action to provide developing countries with the necessary financing and technologies to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs.
While multifaceted and complicated, these challenges must be addressed at a structural level while individuals also must take accountability and meet people with openness and honesty. Social — Human — Equity believes that social sustainability and long-term growth are not mutually exclusive, but rather mutually reinforcing. A strong commitment to social sustainability is then not only the right thing to do – it also makes good sense from a business strategy standpoint.
We hope that you will join us at the 10th annual SHE Conference in Oslo Spektrum on April 11th, 2024. Be a part of our journey to drive change and create social impact – get your ticket today 🔗
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