United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Adopted by all 193 UN member states in 2015, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals represent a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030. For businesses, the SDGs provide a globally recognized language for communicating positive impact. Unlike compliance-driven frameworks like TCFD or SASB, SDG alignment is voluntary and impact-oriented — it demonstrates how your business activities contribute to solving the world's most pressing challenges. Over 80% of companies in the S&P 500 now reference the SDGs in their sustainability communications.
Key Features
17 interconnected global goals with 169 specific targets — applicable to every industry and geography
Universal framework for positive impact recognized by governments, NGOs, investors, and consumers
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — creates urgency and measurable timelines for progress
Increasingly used by ESG rating agencies as a lens for assessing positive contribution alongside risk mitigation
Metrics We Track
Key disclosures addressed in our reports
Affordable and Clean Energy
Percentage of energy from renewable sources, energy efficiency improvement rate, investment in clean energy infrastructure. Relevant to every company that consumes electricity.
Decent Work and Economic Growth
Living wage compliance, fair employment practices, employee training investment per capita, occupational health and safety metrics. Central to labor-intensive industries.
Reduced Inequalities
Pay equity ratios (gender, ethnicity), workforce diversity at all levels, supplier diversity programs, community investment in underserved areas.
Responsible Consumption and Production
Waste diversion rate, recycled content in products, circular economy initiatives, sustainable procurement policies. Key for manufacturing and retail.
Climate Action
Absolute GHG emission reductions, net-zero target setting and progress, climate risk integration into business strategy, investment in carbon removal or offset projects.
Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Anti-corruption policies and training coverage, whistleblower protections, political contribution transparency, supply chain human rights due diligence.
Who Needs UN SDGs?
SDG alignment is particularly valuable for consumer-facing brands (where customers care about purpose), companies seeking B-Corp certification, organizations applying for green bonds or sustainability-linked loans, and any business wanting to communicate positive impact to stakeholders in a globally consistent way. It's also increasingly referenced in government procurement criteria.
Regulatory & Compliance Context
While SDG alignment is voluntary, it's increasingly integrated into mandatory frameworks. The EU's CSRD explicitly references the SDGs in its double materiality assessment. The UN Global Compact — the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative with over 15,000 signatories — requires companies to report progress against SDG targets. Many sovereign wealth funds and pension funds now screen investments for SDG contribution as part of their responsible investment mandates.
How Our Reports Help
We map your ESG performance data to the most relevant UN SDGs for your industry and operations. Your report identifies which goals your company is actively contributing to, quantifies your impact where data permits (e.g., tonnes CO₂e reduced for SDG 13, training hours per employee for SDG 8), and highlights high-impact opportunities where additional action would strengthen your SDG contribution story.
Generate Your UN SDGs Report