SDG Forum Welcome Pack

BUSINESS ANDSUSTAINABILITY FORUMUNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA WA

Contents1. About UNAAWA2. Do the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) matter for business?3. Guide to Business Action on SDGs4. Resources5. Upcoming Forums

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

Business & SustainabilityThe aim of Business and Sustainability forums is to raiseawareness and educate local stakeholders about United Na-tion’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).United Nations Association of Western Australia aims to show-case the merits and thought leadership of sustainability inWestern Australia by having business leaders, peak bodiesand government share their experience and practices.These forums provide an opportunity to network and for localorganisations to better informed of the progress of SDGs inAustralia.

About UNAAWAThe UNAAWA’s aim is to provide the public with an insightinto the workings of the United Nations and to promote thework and values of the United Nations more generally.As an NGO, non-profit, community-based and volunteer-runorganisation, UNAA’s mission is“To provide the community,public and private sector, and the State and Federal Govern-ment with quality services to assist and promote the UnitedNations to meet its various objectives.”

Do SDGs matter for business? 71% of businesses say they are planning how they will engage with the SDGs. 41% of businesses willembed 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

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 andtransformative change can unlock economic opportunities worth at least US$12 trillion ayear by 2030.Enhancing the value of corporate sustainabilityWhile the business case for corporate sustainability is already well established, the SDGswill 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 developmentsThe SDGs reflect stakeholder expectations as well as future policy direction at the interna-tional, national and regional levels. Companies that align their priorities with the SDGs canstrengthen engagement of customers, employees and other stakeholders. Those that donot 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 SDGssupports the pillars of business success; rules-based markets, transparent financial sys-tems and well-governed institutions.Using a common language and shared purposeThe SDGs define a common framework of action and language that will help companiesreport more consistently and effectively with stakeholders about their impact and perfor-mance. The goals will help forge new partnerships to address the world’s most urgentsocietal challenges.

Guide to business action on SDGs 1. DEFINE PRIORITIESCompanies are encouraged to define theirpriorities based on an assessment of theirpositive and negative, current and poten-tial impact on the SDGs across their valuechains. 2. SET GOALS Goal setting is critical to business success and helps foster shared priorities and better performance across the organiza- tion. By aligning company goals with the SDGs, the leadership can demonstrate its commitment to sustainable development.

3. INTEGRATINGIntegrating sustainability into the corebusiness and governance of the company,and embedding sustainable developmenttargets in outcomes is key to achievingset goals. To pursue shared objectives oraddress systemic challenges, companiescould engage in partnerships across thevalue chain, within their sector or with gov-ernments and civil society organizations. 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 stakeholders, companies can enhance employee, investor, and customer satisfaction with their business model.



Resources UN Global CompactThe world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative based on CEOcommitments to universal principles on human rights, and take ac- tions that advance the UN goals. www.unglobalcompact.org/participation/join SDG CompassThis allows you to explore commonly used business tools that maybe useful when assessing your organization’s impact on the SDGs www.sdgcompass.org/business-tools SDG TrackerA database tracking progress towards the Sustainable Develop- ment Goals around the World. www.sdg-tracker.org SDG Business HubA selection of resources, tools, case studies and insight from busi- nesses on the SDGs. www.sdghub.comGlobal Reporting Initiative: Business Reporting on the SDGsA collaboration between GRI and the UN Global Compact to acceler- ate corporate reporting on the Global Goals. www.globalreporting.org/information/SDGs UNAAWAEstablished in 1946, the UNAA endeavours to inform, inspire andengage all Australiansregarding the work, goals, and values of theUnited Nations to create a safer, fairer and more sustainable world. www.unaa.org.au/divisions/western-australia

2018 Business & Sustainabaility Forums Series Governance of Business in Public Sector 23rd May 2018 Sustainable Environment & Responsible Investment 25 July 2018 Good Health & Wellbeing in the Workplace 5 September 2018 The Future of Board Leadership 13 November 2018 For more information, please contact Dr. Sandy Chong [email protected] www.facebook.com/UNAAWAInc Sponsors Partners