The Role of CSR in Achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals

AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING
Module Number-
[DATE]
HEWLETT-PACKARD
[Company address]

Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................1
The role of CSR in achieving the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs).....3
Evaluation of the information reported in the sustainability report published by Woolworths.4
Evaluation of the information reported in the sustainability report published by Aldi.............5
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................6
References..................................................................................................................................8

Introduction
United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) refer to the set of 17 goals set
at a global level by the United Nations General Assembly in year 2015. These goals are the
ones set with the target to be achieved by year 2030. Zero hunger; no poverty; quality
education; clean water, good health and well-being; affordable and clean energy; clean water
and sanitation; decent work and economic growth; reduction of inequality; industry,
innovation and infrastructure; sustainable cities and communities; climate action; responsible
consumption and production; life on land; life below water; partnerships for the goals; and
peace, justice and strong institutions are the inclusions of these SDGs (Assembly, 2015).
Within these goals individual targets are also been set which are required to be measured
regularly as well as achieved. These goals have been set with a vision to achieve a future
which is better and sustainable and is shared by everyone equally. Around 169 targets have
been set under these 17 goals (Avery, 2018). The snapshots below present these goals
serially:
CSR report
The current report has been prepared to research upon the role played by Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) to help in achievement of these goals. Every publically listed
organisation is mandated to prepare a sustainability report and is required to highlight the
CSR activities therein. The report is focused upon identification of these CSRs as helpful in
attainment of SDGs. The example of two corporations being, Woolworths and Aldi has been
used to analyse the same context.
The role of CSR in achieving the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs)
CSR and SDGs can be said to be linked to each other. CSR can be said to be the corporate
version of the concept with which SDGs are developed. CSR activities are the only means by
which the ever rising business corporates could be asked to help in attainment of sustainable
development. The business houses work in the same environment for which sustainability is
sought to be achieved and their contribution in achieving the same hence becomes must. The
SGDs as mentioned in the introduction have an ultimate goal to call for a development which
focuses on meeting the needs of everyone without compromising the ethical values;

dimensions of society, economy and environment; human rights; and also the goals of the
corporate houses.
The CSR concept too contains its focus upon the dimensions of the relationship existent
between environment and society; ethical behaviour; stakeholder interest; and realising of
sustainable responsibility by the corporates.
Source:- https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/envision2030.html