Sustainable Development Goals Business Forum

SDG Business Forum

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations.

SDG Business Forum

Contents1. About UNAAWA2. Business & Sustainability3. Do SDGs matter for business?4. The Guide to Business Action5. Upcoming Forums6. Sponsors 7. Resources

SDG Business Forum

About UNAAWA

The UNAAWA’s aim is to provide the public with an insight into the workings of the United Nations and to promote the work and values of the United Nations more generally.

As an NGO, non-profit, community-based and volunteer-run organisation, UNAA’s mission is,

“To provide the community, public and private sector, and the State and Federal Government with quality services to assist and promote the United Nations to meet its various objectives.”

SDG Business Forum

The aim of SDG Business forums is to raise awareness and educate local stakeholders about United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

United Nations Association of Western Australia aims to showcase the merits and thought leadership of sustainability in Western Australia by having business leaders, peak bodies and government share their experience and practices.

These forums provide an opportunity to network and for local organisations to better informed of the progress of SDGs in Australia.

Business & Sustainability

SDG Business Forum

Do SDGs Matter for Business?

71% of businesses say they are planning how they

will engage with the SDGs.

41% of businesses will embed SDGs into strategy

within five years.

13% of businesses have identified the tools they need to assess their impact against

the SDGs.

90% of citizens say it’s important for business to sign

up to the SDGs

Reference: PWC Sustainability Report 2015

SDG Business Forum

Identifying future business opportunitiesThe SDGs aim to redirect global public and private investment flows towards the challengesthey represent. It is estimated that companies that can deliver innovative solutions and transformative change can unlock economic opportunities worth at least US$12 trillion a year by 2030.

Enhancing the value of corporate sustainabilityWhile the business case for corporate sustainability is already well established, the SDGs will strengthen the economic incentives for companies to use resources more efficiently. Inaddition, the SDGs will help drive down the cost of sustainable alternatives.

Strengthening stakeholder relations and keeping the pace with policy developments

The SDGs reflect stakeholder expectations as well as future policy direction at the international, national and regional levels. Companies that align their priorities with the SDGs can strengthen engagement of customers, employees and other stakeholders. Those that do not will be exposed to growing legal and reputational risks.

Stabilizing societies and marketsBusiness cannot succeed in societies that fail. Investing in the achievement of the SDGs supports the pillars of business success; rules-based markets, transparent financial systems and well-governed institutions.

Using a common language and shared purposeThe SDGs define a common framework of action and language that will help companies report more consistently and effectively with stakeholders about their impact and per-formance. The goals will help forge new partnerships to address the world’s most urgent societal challenges.

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Guide to Business Action on SDGs

1. DEFINE PRIORITIES

Companies are encouraged to define their priorities based on an assessment of their positive and negative, current and potential impact on the SDGs across their value chains.

2. SET GOALS

Goal setting is critical to business success and helps foster shared priorities and better performance across the organization. By aligning company goals with the SDGs, the leadership can demonstrate its commitment to sustainable

development.

3. INTEGRATING

Integrating sustainability into the core business and governance of the company, and embedding sustainable development targets in outcomes is key to achieving set goals. To pursue shared objectives or address systemic challenges, companies could engage in partnerships across the value chain, within their sector or with governments and civil society organizations.

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4. REPORTING AND COMMUNICATING

The SDGs enable companies to report information on sustainable development performance using common indicators and a shared set of priorities. By building the SDGs into their communication and reporting with stake-holders, companies can enhance employee, investor, and customer satisfaction with their business model.

SDG Business Forum

Upcoming Forums

Indigenous & Eco-Tourism for WA 22 February 2019

Modern Slavery & Your Business30 April 2019

Changemakers for Women Economic Empowerment4 June 2019

Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Energy30 July 2019

Impact Investment & Achieving the SDGsSeptember 2019

Sports & SDGsOctober 2019

Visit our Facebook for more info:facebook.com/UNAAWAInc

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Resources

UN Global Compactwww.unglobalcompact.org/participation/join

The world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative based on CEO commit-ments to universal principles on human rights, and take actions that advance the UN goals.

SDG Compasswww.sdgcompass.org/business-tools

This allows you to explore commonly used business tools that may be useful when assessing your organization’s impact on the SDGs

SDG Trackerwww.sdg-tracker.org

A database tracking progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals around the World.

SDG Business Hubwww.sdghub.com

A selection of resources, tools, case studies and insight from businesses on the SDGs.

SDG Business Forum

Community Partners

Sponsors

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ResourcesUN Global Compactwww.unglobalcompact.org/participation/join

The world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative based on CEO commit-ments to universal principles on human rights, and take actions that advance the UN goals.

SDG Compasswww.sdgcompass.org/business-tools

This allows you to explore commonly used business tools that may be useful when assessing your organization’s impact on the SDGs

SDG Trackerwww.sdg-tracker.org

A database tracking progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals around the World.

SDG Business Hubwww.sdghub.com

A selection of resources, tools, case studies and insight from businesses on the SDGs.

Global Reporting Initiative: Business Reporting on the SDGswww.globalreporting.org/information/SDGs

A collaboration between GRI and the UN Global Compact to accelerate corpo-rate reporting on the Global Goals.

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UNAAWAwww.unaa.org.au/divisions/western-australia

Established in 1946, the UNAA endeavours to inform, inspire and engage all Aus-traliansregarding the work, goals, and values of the United Nations to create a safer, fairer and more sustainable world.

For more information on future forums, please contact Dr. Sandy Chongsandy.chong@unaa.org.au

VIsit our website: bit.ly/sdgforums

Or follow our Facebook Pagewww.facebook.com/UNAAWAInc

SDG Business Forum

SDG Business Forum