Leveraging the New UN Sustainable Development Goals: Expectations and Engagement Strategies for Brands

1. Aris Vrettos | @arisvrettos
Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
Leveraging the New UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Expectations and Engagement Strategies for Brands
Michael Spanos | @GlSustain
Global Sustain
Ole Lund Hansen
United Nations Global Compact
Silvia Donato
European Commission’s Directorate
General for Research and Innovation
Anna Swaithes | @annaswaithes
SABMiller

2. Ole Lund Hansen
Chief, Leadership Programs

3. The
Sustainable
Development
Goals
(SDGs)

4. § Improve the enabling environment by supporting key pillars
of business success, including transparent and accountable
institutions, education and health
§ Define future business opportunities by further growing
markets and easing access to capital for companies that offer
relevant technologies and solutions
§ Enhance the business case for sustainable business
practices, strengthening for example the incentives for
companies to use resources more effectively
§ Framework for stakeholder engagement, by providing a
shared purpose and common language for cross-sector
dialogue and partnerships
Business
Relevance
of
the
SDGs

5. How
Can
Companies
Advance
the
SDGs
1. Act responsibly:
– Companies must first make sure to reduce negative impacts on
society and the environment.
– The UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles provide a universal
definition for responsible business – and are the starting point for
advancing the SDGs.
2. Seize opportunities:
– Based on an assessment of impacts, risks and opportunities, a
business can determine the most significant and strategic goals
they can address.
– Companies are transforming their business models to serve
societal needs and tap into new markets.

6. From
Global
Goals
to
Business
Goals
§ Priorities identified with inspiration from the SDGs
§ Level of ambition set “outside-in” in proportion to the global
aspiration defined by individual SDGs
§ Select KPIs mapped against the SDGs
§ Use language and concepts that refers to SDGs
§ Make goals public as commitments to SDGs

7. New
Resources
–
The
SDG
Compass

8. New
Resources