SDGs: They’re Everyone’s Business

If you haven’t yet heard of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), these 17 goals to transform the world came into force in 2016 and were created by world leaders as solutions to the pressing problems of today and tomorrow.

The SDGs have already had a positive impact since talks of them began in 2012, 10 years ago. Among some of the impactful changes, the rates of extreme poverty and child deaths before the age of five have halved.

There are also a number of ways the SDGs can be applied within companies and industries that seek to “build back better”, like when it comes to climate action and coping with environmental crises through decarbonization, for example.

Together, we have the power to help solve the most concerning issues affecting our planet and global population. We’re thrilled to see the positive effect the SDGs are having so far, and we hope you’ll be inspired to take action!

Why join the movement?

SDGs not only provide hope for a brighter, greener future, but inspiration and clear direction for companies and their staff. Adopting and enforcing SDGs positions companies as leaders in sustainability. At the same time, employees—both existing and future—want to know that their employer is driven by more than just sales and profit.

A company with meaningful purpose gives its people something to relate to and connect with. When you leverage SDGs that matter to your employees, you’re giving them a voice, allowing them to grow on a more personal level, gaining ambassadors and helping shape the world we all want to see. All this optimizes performance in the workplace, drives employee engagement and promotes passion, ingenuity and determination.

Where to start

We all have a purpose, but it's easy to get caught up in our day-to-day and overlook the needs and struggles of our communities. That’s why it’s important to find a cause that motivates and inspires us to be active change agents, be it human rights, disaster or humanitarian relief, economic empowerment, education, the environment, health, poverty alleviation, etc.

Define your SDGs and put them to work. Start by reflecting on the causes that resonate with you. Then, determine the policies and concrete measures that need to be in place for you to be able to enforce them and make a difference.

Lacking inspiration? Seeing how your competitors around the globe are having an impact can not only inspire ideas but also the motivation to do your part.

Remember that every action—big or small—counts. You have to put things into perspective and understand all the key elements before acting, so don’t be afraid to start small and then scale up. Small changes can be scaled across companies to make big impacts.

Spread the news. Whether it’s through volunteer work, fundraisers, donations or a corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, share how your company is doing its part to make the world a better place. You’ll lead by example and inspire others to do good, too, because everyone has a role to play.

Leading by example

At Probity Marketing, we believe that anyone with a goal can make a difference, regardless of their age, gender, social status or walk of life.

Through the work that we do, we strive to advance the SDGs surrounding climate change and gender equality, as well as inclusive and sustainable growth, employment, consumption, production and development. Read all about our impact.

We are focusing on 6 specific SDGs at the moment, and hoping to add more in the future.

GOAL 5: Gender Equality

GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality

GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

GOAL 13: Climate Action

GOAL 17: Partnerships to Achieve the Goal

We support clients, including B Corp-certified businesses, whose mission, vision and values are aligned with our commitment and contribution to the SDGs. For us, there’s nothing more rewarding than guiding them on their journey and helping deliver their messages and stories of sustainability to the world.

Are you in the process of defining your own SDGs or perhaps struggling to communicate them? Contact us: we’re here and happy to help!