European Companies Align Business Goals With UN SDGs

by Vikas Vij

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide not only a vision for the world, but from a business perspective, they are also a roadmap to shareholder value. SDG engagement is therefore part of all of future business models in one way or another. Policy-makers need to support them and create an enabling environment where they can incorporate global sustainability goals locally.

It is against this background that CSR Europe has partnered with Frost & Sullivan and GlobeScan to explore how European companies can grasp business growth opportunities arising from the SDGs. The study emphasizes that while progress has been made, collaborative efforts must be reinforced in order to meet the UN 2030 Agenda.

The opportunity to unlock benefits from the SDGs rests with businesses and with their ability to go beyond business-as-usual. In order to make the most of this opportunity, CSR Europe will work through its network of more than 10,000 companies across Europe to promote business transformation through its Sustainable Business Exchange campaign.

Companies can get involved in the Sustainable Business Exchange in two ways. A learning network will help them embrace the circular economy, rethink the value chain, foster innovative partnerships and business models, as well as sustainable consumption and production. Secondly, an SDG Incubator will facilitate pilot projects between companies, civil society and governments, to drive business contribution to the SDGs and tackle common challenges.

According to Stefan Crets, CSR Europe Executive Director, the organization will further develop its work to help companies transform their business. The current research is a wake-up call to the importance of working together.

Francesco Starace, Enel CEO and General Manager said that the companies incorporating the SDGs into their business strategies give themselves the advantage of a clear roadmap to inform decision-making that will drive value for shareholders and for all stakeholders.

Source: Globescan