What are the best ways to report on your UN SDGs progress?

Selecting a suitable reporting framework is crucial for effectively communicating progress on the UN SDGs. The GRI, for instance, offers comprehensive guidelines that align well with ESG reporting, which is increasingly important for stakeholders. In my consultancy, I emphasize the importance of tailoring the chosen framework to the company's specific environmental impact areas, such as waste management, to ensure that reporting is not only compliant but also meaningful and actionable. This approach aids in identifying key performance indicators (KPIs) that resonate with both the company's sustainability goals and stakeholder expectations.

Here are some best practices: Clearly define your organization's contributions to each goal. Implement robust data collection and monitoring systems to track progress. Consult with stakeholders groups to gather diverse perspectives and enhance the credibility of your reporting. Use stablished reporting frameworks to structure your report. These frameworks provide guidelines and indicators for sustainability reporting. Clearly communicate both positive impacts and challenges faced in achieving SDGs. Compare your progress against industry benchmarks, sector standards, or peers to provide context and demonstrate your organization's relative performance. Consider seeking external verification or assurance.

Los marcos de trabajo ofrecen una hoja de ruta y también una metodología que permita establecer un punto de situación y posteriormente la revisión bajo una misma estructura de información.

GRI and IFRS framework can be the best platforms to demonstrate progress on UNSDGs. A proper tabular structure can be created in the sustainability report comprising all 17 SDGs on the left side and relevant progress (including initiative, targets, impacts) on the right side. Linkages with 169 targets can also be established as appropriate as possible. Direct release of "Annual Impact report on UNSDGs progress" on website or sustainability webpage may attract greater traction as well.

Hasta el momento y hasta que exista otro método como por ejemplo, la ISO 53001 en la que se está trabajando, SDG Compass es una muy buena guía oficial (no olvidemos que fue desarrollada por GRI junto con la ONU y el WBCSD) para utilizar una hoja de ruta de implantación de los ODS en una organización. Si bien es cierto que tiene ya unos a?os, no olvidemos que los ODS datan de 2015 y no han variado su contenido ni su propósito.

Reporting on UN SDGs effectively involves conducting a materiality assessment to identify which goals align closely with your business impact. For example, as a carbon market firm, we might focus on SDGs like Clean Energy and Climate Action. Using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards provides a structured way to report this impact, ensuring transparency and comparability. GRI’s linkage documents help map how GRI indicators correspond with specific SDGs. For instance, GRI 305 (Emissions) directly relates to SDG 13 (Climate Action). This approach streamlines reporting and provides stakeholders with a clear understanding of our contributions to the SDGs.

Defining and focusing on your material issues is essential. As mentioned, there are many ways to do that using existing tools such as the GRI Standards and the IIRC Framework. We use UNDRR's Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction to focus our SDG commitments on our set of issues.

La materialidad forma parte de casi todos los procesos de análisis de cuestiones sostenibles, (corporativamente hablando). Es imperativo realizar un primer análisis de temas materiales que posteriormente tengan su relevancia y concordancia con alguno o todos los ODS. No es necesario centrar las aspiraciones empresariales en la consecución de los 17ODS, algo improbable. Hasta no disponer de un análisis interno y profundo de asuntos materiales de fondo, no será posible centrar el foco en los ODS correspondientes.

Es imprescindible consultar con los grupos de interés para identificar los temas materiales. Alinear las expectativas y necesidades de los GI con los objetivos de la empresa es el punto de partida para formular los objetivos y metas a conseguir en la gestión de la sostenibilidad.

Defining materiality issues is a key process for reporting on our SDGs. We must know what will be those topics that are identified as most relevant and significant for our company and stakeholders, which we must have previously identified. As a summary, once the stakeholders and their needs and expectations have been identified, we must understand what the impact will be in three dimensions: environmental, social and economic, from a double perspective. First, inward impact or influence of the stakeholder on our company, and then outward impact or our influence on the stakeholder. That's defined as double materiality. These relevant topics will depend on factors such as the industry, sector or our specific context as a company.

La definición de problemas materiales y su alineación con los ODS de la ONU, reforzada por el B Impact Assessment de B Corp, es crucial para la sostenibilidad empresarial. Esta estrategia integral eleva la transparencia y credibilidad de la empresa. Utilizando herramientas como la Brújula de los ODS, Estándares GRI y el Gestor de acciones de los ODS, en conjunto con el B Impact Assessment, se facilita la creación de objetivos claros y medibles. Además, se establece un plan de acción ambicioso y realista. Este enfoque promueve una evaluación y mejora constante, involucrando a los stakeholders y contribuyendo de manera significativa a un futuro más sostenible.

Picture this: mapping your sustainability goals and targets to the UN SDGs is like creating a roadmap for positive change. It's not just reporting; it's a journey of impact! Grab tools like SDG Compass or the SDG Action Manager – to help you align your efforts with the global agenda. By doing this, you're not just talking about change; you're actively steering the ship towards a better, more sustainable world. ???

Un buen ejemplo para comprender mejor este punto sería el análisis de la cadena de valor (un buen ejemplo que se puede localizar en SDG Compass): Un análisis en profundidad de la cadena de valor nos permite separar en impacto positivo y negativo las diferentes áreas en las que podemos dividir nuestra relación con la cadena de valor, de esa forma, entre "materias primas" y "Fin de vida del producto" podríamos localizar hasta 5 ODS diferentes en los que centrar nuestros objetivos y metas.

Identificados los temas materiales, la formulación de objetivos y metas se debería realizar con vista al mejoramiento del funcionamiento de la empresa para lograr ese tema material en concreto. Tema material que contribuirá a la consecución de un ODS específico. No lo veo cómo establecer objetivos y metas para cada ODS. Sino cómo las mejoras en la cadena de valor de mi empresa van a impactar positivamente en los ODS . Que no serán los 17.

Material issues must offer us a clear vision of where our most significant impacts are in order to offer an effective SDG report that is aligned with our company's strategy, as well as the needs of clients, investors and other stakeholders. Some of the most common and common topics that are on the agenda will be, for example, the reduction of CO2 emissions and adaptation to the impacts of climate change, the conservation of natural resources or the use of energy, protection of human rights, ....

Collecting and verifying data is essential for effectively reporting on your UN SDGs progress. Ensure accuracy and transparency by employing robust data collection methods. Regularly review and validate your sustainability metrics to provide stakeholders with reliable insights. By prioritizing data integrity, you strengthen the credibility of your progress reports, fostering trust and accountability. Let's commit to meticulous data practices for meaningful impact tracking.

La recopilación y verificación de datos son esenciales en los informes de sostenibilidad, asegurando precisión y confiabilidad. Es vital elegir indicadores y métricas alineados con los ODS y problemas materiales, utilizando estándares como GRI, IIRC y Principios del Pacto Mundial de la ONU. La garantía externa a?ade credibilidad, mientras que la transparencia en la metodología refuerza la confianza de los stakeholders. Enfrentar desafíos como la integración y consistencia de datos es crucial. Este proceso no solo mejora la calidad del informe, sino que también demuestra un compromiso serio con la responsabilidad y la sostenibilidad.

Remember that if your report is a public document, and you're reporting on progress made against any of the environmental SDGs (like climate action), then you need to abide by the Green Claims Code. Claims about your impact should be clearly evidenced, not overstated, and proportionate within the context of your wider business.

Comunicar el progreso en los ODS de la ONU requiere una narrativa honesta y atractiva, resaltando logros y desafíos, incluso aquellos menos favorables. Utiliza herramientas como los Estándares GRI, Marco IIRC, Comunicación del Pacto Mundial y B Corp para estructurar tu relato. Incluye innovaciones y perspectivas diversas para enriquecer el informe. Usa imágenes, gráficos claros y datos concisos para facilitar la comprensión. Difunde el informe a través de canales variados, incluyendo journals especializados, ferias comerciales, eventos científicos o gubernamentales, para ampliar su alcance y demostrar tu compromiso y liderazgo hacia la sostenibilidad.

The communication of the results is not only essential for all stakeholder groups, it is also a good way to share some best practices with other companies. From my perspective and after meeting so many companies especially from Germany the problem is that knowledge/best-practice share is a lack and many companies would like to do more for sustainability or report better data about the UN SDG goals but they don't have the knowledge or experts who can do this on a deep level.....

Storytelling is an art that can be applied to an SDG-based report as well. Crafting a narrative goes beyond numbers and metrics, it is transcending data to share your vision, values, and impact with stakeholders and the wider public. Leveraging frameworks such as the GRI gives credibility to your sustainability journey. Remember to always aim for transparency as well as for a good story.

The Sustainable Development Goals must align with the business purpose; linking them is crucial. While the report and quantitative achievements are important, one should not forget about examples and testimonials, the connection with day-to-day life, and consideration for future generations.

Demonstrating progress against SDGs often carries the risk of greenwashing if it is not backed up by the right metrics that correspond to targets set for each relevant SDG. If you are reporting for a sustainability bond, then the ICMA principles and guidance documents provide sufficient guidance on how to identify the right SDGs based on the expenditures selected as part of the program. If you are reporting at the company level, one of the easiest ways to avoid greenwashing is to limit the number of SDGs your organization contributes to based on the core operations and products. Many large investors such as APG, PGGM, Blackrock, etc. Have also published specific guidance on the topic for companies looking to attract ESG investors.

Los ODS marcan prioridades de desarrollo sostenible y metas de reducción de carbono para 2030 y 2050. La introducción de los ODS a nivel corporativo marcan la senda del "crecimiento sí, pero sostenible" a nivel mundial. El respeto por la naturaleza, la sociedad civil más desfavorecida, el cumplimiento normativa, la gestión del agua...son objetivos cumplibles desde las organizaciones que inciden directa e indirectamente en la gestión sostenible del planeta.