Sustainable Development Goals

The SDGs Explained For Business

Learn more about SDGs and how your company can advance each one.

In September 2015, all 193 Member States of the United Nations adopted a plan for achieving a better future for all — laying out a path over the next 15 years to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and protect our planet. At the heart of “Agenda 2030” are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which clearly define the world we want — applying to all nations and leaving no one behind.

The new Global Goals result from a process that has been more inclusive than ever, with Governments involving business, civil society and citizens from the outset. We are all in agreement on where the world needs to go. Fulfilling these ambitions will take an unprecedented effort by all sectors in society — and business has to play a very important role in the process.

All Companies Can Play A Role

No matter the size of your business, and regardless of your industry, all companies can contribute to the SDGs. While the scale and scope of the global goals is unprecedented, the fundamental ways your business can contribute remain unchanged. Club Need encourages companies to first do business responsibly and then pursue opportunities to solve societal challenges through business innovation and collaboration.

How Club Need Helps

We are spreading the word that companies who do business responsibly and find opportunities to innovate around sustainability will be the business leaders of tomorrow. To move from awareness to action, Club Need offers a curated selection of Charitable Impact Projects and an extensive tool box of resources including marketing, social media and a learning academy to help your business take action and achieve the SDGs your business is most passionate about.

How Club Need Works

See Our Cause Collections

The Sustainable Development Goals are the world’s to-do list for people and the planet by 2030. We have grouped all 17 SDGs into four Cause Collections — People, Prosperity, Planet and Partnership.

Discover how each collection creates impact and choose the SDG’s that resonate most with your business.

See our causes

SDGs Project Search

Filter and browse Club Need projects based on the 17 SDG classifications. It’s also possible for your business to make a meaningful impact on multiple fronts. Some projects, driven by their impactful outcomes, align with more than one SDG. This unique assignment of goals presents your business with the chance to create a ripple of positive change across various crucial areas.

See our projects

50% of companies aim to prioritize between 1-5 SDGs

According to a survey conducted as part of the development of the SDG Action Manager.

Design your SDG journey

Download the SDG Technical Guide to prep your business, take action, track progress and transform the world.

Download now

Explore the SDG
Impact Assessment

The SDG Impact Assessment provides all types of businesses with an opportunity to learn about, manage and directly improve their sustainability impact.

Frequently asked questions

The SDGs, or Sustainable Development Goals, also known as ‘The Global Goals,’ are a set of 17 interconnected objectives designed to create a better future for everyone on our planet. These goals encompass various targets and measurement indicators with a focus on achieving them by 2030. They provide a clear pathway for businesses to contribute to specific global objectives and make a positive impact. By aligning their efforts with the SDGs, businesses can harness their potential for the betterment of our world.

The ideal time for businesses to contribute to the SDGs is now. While traditional notions of giving only when you’ve achieved self-sufficiency might delay action, the urgency of the 2030 deadline demands immediate engagement. There are several points at which your business can start contributing:

When Building Your Customer Base: By associating your business with SDGs and pledging support for every new customer, you infuse your work with deeper purpose and motivation.
While Building Brand Awareness: Cutting through the social media noise and rising above your competition can be difficult. With a commitment to the SDGs and Impact Investing your business can stand alone as a beacon of good.
During Business Growth: As your business expands and becomes profitable, seize the opportunity to give back. Establish non-profit giving goals that transcend financial metrics, elevating your business’s impact.
In Times of Stability: When your business stabilizes, explore diverse approaches to giving. Engage your customers and team in charitable initiatives that extend your positive influence.
When Building Your Team and Culture: Purpose driven businesses focus on their Mission, Vision and Values. Supporting SDGs and Charitable Impact Projects become powerful tools in achieving an amazing corporate culture.

A practical approach is to contribute to SDGs that align with companies culture and values.

Focusing on causes that resonate ensures sustained commitment. Likewise, allowing your employees to contribute to their preferred SDGs enhances engagement.

You can:

Allocate monthly budgets for employees to support SDGs of their choice.
Utilize partners like Club Need to facilitate Charitable Impact Projects.
Gift donations toward an employee’s favourite SDG on their birthday or anniversary.
Celebrate your relationship with a customer by donating to a Charitable Impact Project with Club Need on their behalf.

The choice depends on your company’s financial capacity and your preferences. Some businesses concentrate on closely related SDGs.

For your reference, research shows 50% of companies aim to prioritize between 1-5 SDGs.

Some of the common SDGs companies seem to gravitate towards are:

SDG 1: No Poverty
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
SDG 4: Quality Education
SDG 6: Clean Water And Sanitation
SDG 13: Climate Action

You can contribute to the SDGs in various ways, such as conserving office energy or advocating for the cause.

The United Nations offers suggestions, and you can explore more ideas here: https://www.un.org/en/actnow

While the choice varies, our belief is that businesses Club Need is involved with give out of genuine care and the desire to enact positive change.

We encourage our Club Need client to communicate their motivation for supporting the SDGs and the Charitable Impact Projects they are sponsoring.

Sharing your journey inspires others to join the movement. Whether businesses choose public or private sharing, the collective effort is vital for achieving the 2030 agenda.

Expressing gratitude and joy about being a giving business strengthens relationships with teams and clients, fostering shared impact.