Sustainable Development Goals: Importance, Relation with Business, Society and Environment

This essay discusses the importance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their relation with business, society and environment. It also highlights the need for global collaboration to achieve SDGs. The essay explains the need and importance of sustainable development, the 17 SDGs, and their relation with business, society and environment. It also highlights the role of governments, businesses, and individuals in achieving SDGs.

P a g e | 0
Sustainable Development Goals

P a g e | 1
Introduction
In today’s ever-changing environment, the importance of sustainable development has
increased substantially which focuses on using resources in a responsible manner to ensure
that current and future generations have the ability to fulfil their needs from these resources.
In order to adopt sustainable development policies, the United Nations Conference conducted
in Rio de Janeiro issued the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2012 (UNDP, 2019).
The UN issued 17 SDGs and 169 targets which were included in the new universal agenda
that are applicable to all countries relating to all stages of development. The SDGs were built
upon the Millennium Development Goals that were focused on identifying human rights to
establish equal policies for all women. All these goals are integrated together in order to
achieve sustainable development in three main areas which include economic, social and
environmental (UN, 2019). These goals were more effective than the goals established in
2000 because they engage local governments, private and national stakeholders, civil society
and businesses towards their achievement (Slack, 2015). In order to the achievement of these
goals, businesses, societies and governments play a major role because their achievement is
based on their partnership to create a better planet for future generations (Scheyvens et al.,
2016). The government plays an active role in spreading awareness for recognition of the
importance of achievement of these goals to ensure that they are achieved with the set
timeframe (Slack, 2015). In this essay, arguments will be made regarding the important role
of the government and different stakeholders towards implementation, monitoring and
evaluation of SDGs through the world.
Need and Importance of Sustainable Development
On earth, natural resources such as rivers, minerals and forests are limited in number, and
they are vital to life on the planet. It is the responsibility of every generation to ensure that
they use these resources responsibility without making them scares which eliminates the
ability of future generations to fulfil their needs. The SDGs are defined as the blueprint
implemented by the United Nations to achieve better and sustainable future by addressing
challenges such as environmental degradation, inequality, climate, poverty and establishing
prosperity, peace and justice (UN, 2019). All these goals are connected so that none of these
issues is left unchecked.

P a g e | 2
Over thirty years have passed since the sustainable development summits; however, the
actions towards the achievement of social, equality, planetary environment and economic
sustainability are not effective due to a range of factors such as inadequate information on
progress, lack of public involvement and slow implementation (Janoušková et al., 2018).
Scheyvens et al. (2016) argued that SDGs had implemented time-bound, universal goals
which resulted in engaging a wide range of stakeholders towards their achievement by
working together. Due to these initiatives, achievements have made in sectors such as
healthcare where child mortality has reduced, and the universal access to healthcare has
increased. These goals promote joint actions by countries by promoting a long-term approach
to global challenges (Scheyvens et al., 2016).
Sustainable development is crucial to achieve a balance in fulfilment of social, economic and
environmental needs that achieve prosperity for current and future generations which
highlights its need and importance. Scheyvens et al. (2016) provided that SDGs have set a
common aim for the world to achieve by 2030 while tackling major issues through the
elimination of poverty, social injustice, inequality while protecting natural resources.
Kulkarni (2013) provided that sustainable development policies encourage organisations to
change their methods and technologies to become more resource base. These policies focus
on long term development while achieving the goal of a healthy community through
addressing issues relating to economic, social and environmental factors by the protection of
environmental resources (Kulkarni, 2013).
Sustainable development requires a global collaboration for tackling environmental
challenges such as global warming and climate change from countries so that they work on
their individual level through integrated practices. The private sector that has a significant
contribution to the growth of the national economy which also plays a major role in adopting
policies which are focused on responsible environmental care by the protection of natural
resources. From a religious perspective, protection of natural resources such as water, land
and forest is a duty of individuals, and they should respect them to preserve them for a long
period of time. Therefore, civil societies also a major role in creating a pressure on the
government to build proper coordination between different factors such as resources,
environment, development and population to ensure that sustainable development policies are
implemented effectively.

P a g e | 3
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Goal 1 is ending poverty in all its forms everywhere because over 836 million people live in
extreme poverty; this goal encourages people to donate what they don’t use. Goal 2 focuses
on ensuring that no one remains hungry and they receive adequate nutrition while promoting
implementations of sustainable agriculture policies because over one-third of the world’s
food is wasted (Sachs 2012, pp. 2206-2211). Goal 3 is ensuring healthy lives and promotes
wellbeing by promoting vaccination and improving public health. Goal 4 focuses on equal
educational facilities for everyone along with opportunities for lifelong learning by helping
children in communities to read. Goal 5 is implemented to address the issue of gender
inequality and empowerment of all women by calling out sexist language and behaviour.
Goal 6 ensures the availability and sustainability of water management and sanitation by
avoiding waste because water scarcity affects 40 percent of the population. Goal 7 is ensuring
affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy by using energy efficient appliances and
light bulbs (Griggs et al. 2013, p. 305). Goal 8 is promoting sustainable economic growth and
productive employment for all through green companies that generate employment
opportunities.
Goal 9 provides building resilient infrastructure, foster innovation and sustainable
industrialisation by thinking innovate ways of repurposing old materials. Goal 10 focuses on
reducing inequality within and among centuries by raising voice against discrimination. Goal
11 is making cities and human settlement safe, sustainable and resilient through use of bike,
public transportation and walking to keep air in cities clean (Nilsson, Griggs and Visbeck
2016, p. 320). Goal 12 is sustainable consumption and production by recycling paper, plastic,
glass and aluminium. Goal 12 focuses on taking initiatives which are targeted towards
addressing the issue of climate change and its negative impacts by educating young people on
a sustainable path. Goal 14 is conserved and sustainable use of sea, ocean and marine
resources by avoiding plastic bags in oceans to keep them clean. Goal 15 focuses on policies
to promote, protect and restore sustainable use of forest, land and terrestrial ecosystems and
halt biodiversity loss by planting trees (Le Blanc 2015, pp.176-187). Goal 16 is promoting
societies which are peaceful and inclusive in which people have access to inclusive, justice
and accountable institutes by promoting the use of the right to elect leaders in countries and
local communities. Goal 17 is strengthening the global partnership for sustainable
development through implementation and revitalisation.

P a g e | 4
Relation of SDGs with business, society and environment
Organisations play a major role in delivering on the promise of achievement of sustainable
development goals. Businesses can engage with the SDG framework in order to ensure that
they implement practices in their businesses which are targeted towards the achievement of
SDGs. There are both positive and negative implications of adoptions of SDGs by
corporations. The key challenges include growth in the operating costs which makes it
difficult for companies to sustain their profitability (Lu et al. 2015, p.432). For example, in
order to achieve Goal 7, companies have to avoid using fossil fuel which is cheaper and
efficient method of energy to use renewable energy sources which are less efficient and
expensive to use. They can generate energy from solar, hydro and wind sources which are
expensive to install. Moreover, they have to change their procedures to reduce their wastage
and avoid putting hazardous chemicals in water to achieve Goal 6. Companies such as BMW,
Levis and Apple have adopted sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices to
ensure that they reduce their carbon footprint by using renewable energy sources and reduce
wastage. Levis has changed its operations to manufacture jeans without water; currently, 80
percent of its products are produced with less water (Levis Strauss 2019). BMW has started
manufacturing electronic cars through an effective supply chain which run on renewable
energy which reduces its carbon footprint. Apple has recently announced that 100 percent of
its stores situated globally run on renewable energy sources which is a major milestone (Statt
2018). It shows that major companies are adopting policies to achieve sustainable goals
which show that relationship between them.
Members of societies globally have to engage in practices to ensure that they do their part in
the achievement of these goals. They have to raise their voices against inequality and
discrimination while focusing on responsible consumption to ensure that they also reduce
their footprint. For example, in the United States, food waste contributes to over 30-40
percent of the food supply in which consumers and retailers play a major role (USDA 2015).
However, customers are becoming aware of this issue as a recent study found that 73 percent
of millennial customers will prefer to pay higher prices for products which are produced
sustainably (Curtin 2018). Therefore, companies are also making investments in responsible
consumption and production to ensure that they achieve SDGs. One of the key advantages of
SDGs on businesses is that they can expand their business while charging a higher price from
their customers if they adopt sustainable policies which benefits them in the long run. A good

P a g e | 5
example is Starbucks which has established coffee stores across the globe, and the company
has sustained its profitability by adopting sustainable business practices.
The company ensures that 100 percent of its coffee beans are ethically sourced and it has also
launched C.A.F.E program through which it provides help to farmers and education facilities
to their children which enable the company to achieve Goal 4 and 12 (Starbucks 2019).
Organisations that failed to take actions towards sustainable production increases the negative
impacts of climate change which is a major threat to the humankind. Therefore, the
responsibility of achievement of sustainable development goals did not solely rely on
governments and global authorities to take actions; instead, timely achievement of these goals
requires a contribution from organisations and individuals to create a sustainable world
(Kumar, Kumar and Vivekadhish 2016, p.1).

P a g e | 6
References
Curtin, Melanie. 2018. “73 Percent of Millennials are Willing to Spend More Money on This
1 Type of Product.” INC. https://www.inc.com/melanie-curtin/73-percent-of-
millennials-are-willing-to-spend-more-money-on-this-1-type-of-product.html
Griggs, David, Mark Stafford-Smith, Owen Gaffney, Johan Rockström, Marcus C. Öhman,
Priya Shyamsundar, Will Steffen, Gisbert Glaser, Norichika Kanie, and Ian Noble.
2013. "Policy: Sustainable development goals for people and planet." Nature 495, no.
7441: 305.
Kumar, Sanjiv, Neeta Kumar, and Saxena Vivekadhish. 2016. "Millennium development
goals (MDGS) to sustainable development goals (SDGS): Addressing unfinished
agenda and strengthening sustainable development and partnership." Indian journal of
community medicine: official publication of Indian Association of Preventive & Social
Medicine 41, no. 1: 1.
Le Blanc, David. 2015. "Towards integration at last? The sustainable development goals as a
network of targets." Sustainable Development 23, no. 3: 176-187.
Levis Strauss. 2019. “Sustainability.” Levis Strauss.
http://levistrauss.com/sustainability/products/waterless/
Lu, Yonglong, Nebojsa Nakicenovic, Martin Visbeck, and Anne-Sophie Stevance. 2015.
"Policy: Five priorities for the UN sustainable development goals." Nature News 520,
no. 7548: 432.
Nilsson, Måns, Dave Griggs, and Martin Visbeck. 2016. "Policy: map the interactions
between Sustainable Development Goals." Nature News 534, no. 7607: 320.
Sachs, Jeffrey D. 2012. "From millennium development goals to sustainable development
goals." The Lancet 379, no. 9832: 2206-2211.
Starbucks. 2019. “Committed to 100% Ethically Sourced.” Starbucks.
https://www.starbucks.com/responsibility/community/farmer-support/farmer-loan-
programs

P a g e | 7
Statt, Nick. 2018. “Apple says it’s now powered by 100 percent renewable energy
worldwide.” The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/9/17216656/apple-
renewable-energy-worldwide-climate-change
USDA. 2015. “Does the U.S. have a food loss and waste reduction goal?.” USDA.
https://www.usda.gov/oce/foodwaste/faqs.htm