In this article we will address the topic of Agenda 2030, an international plan of action adopted to address major global challenges and promote a sustainable development.
This strategic plan focuses on issues that are crucial for the future of the planet and society.
But what does the action plan consist of? What are its origins and main objectives? And most importantly, how can companies play an active role in the change inspired by the 2030 Agenda? Let's find out together.
{summary#bullet-1}
What is the Agenda 2030 and why is it fundamental for our planet?
Agenda 2030 was adopted unanimously by the 193 member countries of the United Nations in New York on September 25, 2015.
It consists of a global initiative aimed at promoting people's well-being, the Safeguarding the planet and the creation of conditions of shared prosperity, ensuring fairness for all the inhabitants of the planet.
The document, also entitled “Transforming our World. The Agenda for Sustainable Development”, seeks to strengthen the universal peace and recognizes that eradicate poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, represents the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development.
The plan is divided into 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 goals, which aim to balance the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, offering a common and integrated vision for the future of the planet and humanity.
{summary#bullet-2}
How the Agenda 2030 was born: from the UNFCCC to the drafting of the SDGs
In the 90s, the growing global attention to environmental issues laid the foundations for an international framework of cooperation aimed at addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development.
A key step was the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) of 1992, which prepared the ground for Kyoto Protocol of 1997. This treaty introduced binding targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in industrialized countries, marking a crucial step in the fight against climate change.
At the same time, in 2000, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a set of eight global goals aimed at reducing poverty, hunger and inequalities. With the commitment of all 193 UN member states to achieve them by 2015, these objectives marked a milestone in a path that led to the next 2030 Agenda.
Despite the progress made, the worsening of the climate crisis has highlighted the need for a more integrated and universal approach that led in 2015 to the Paris Agreement and the approval of the 2030 Agenda.
Paris Agreement has consolidated global commitments in the fight against climate change, setting the goal of limiting the increase in global temperature at 1.5°C. In line with this commitment, the European Union aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, as established by Green Deal.
Agenda 2030 introduced the SDGs, expanding the focus from only environmental issues to also include social and economic aspects. Unlike the MDGs, the intention was to involve all countries, not just developing countries, promoting a universal and integrated vision.
{summary#bullet-3}
The 5 "P" of sustainable development
The 2030 Agenda is based on 5 fundamental pillars, known as the 5 'P', which represent the essential areas for sustainable development.
- People: to address poverty and hunger in all their dimensions, creating the conditions for each individual to express their full potential, living with dignity and equality in a healthy environment.
- Pianeta: protect the planet by counteracting environmental degradation through sustainable consumption and production practices. This includes responsible management of natural resources and immediate interventions to mitigate the effects of climate change, ensuring the well-being of current and future generations.
- Prosperity: promote living conditions that allow everyone to prosper, with economic, social and technological progress that is environmentally friendly and sustainable in the long term.
- Pace: promote the creation of just, inclusive and peaceful societies, free from violence and fear. Peace is considered an indispensable condition for sustainable development, just as development is fundamental to ensuring peace.
- Partnership: promote effective collaboration between governments, civil organizations and the private sector, building strategic alliances to achieve common objectives and respond to global challenges in solidarity.
{summary#bullet-4}
The 17 goals of the Agenda 2030: opportunities and challenges for companies
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent the beating heart of the Agenda 2030.
From 'Defeating Poverty' to 'Fight against Climate Change', Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a shared vision of global progress to be achieved by 2030.
Articulated in 69 specific targets, the SDGs face the most urgent challenges of our time, integrating dimensions environmental, Social Ed Economic with the aim of reconciling the financial interests of banks, corporations and companies with the well-being of the planet and society.
For companies, it becomes essential to map the value chain to identify the areas of greatest impact, considering that many of these may be located outside directly controlled activities.
Evaluate the entire supply chain, from suppliers to logistics, through the production, distribution and end of life of products, is the first step in understanding the business impact and establishing priorities for intervention.
Analyzing which are in detail the SDGs that could affect a company's value chain, we find:
- Objective 6: Clean water and hygiene — Reduce the negative impact on water availability by working with suppliers to improve water use efficiency along the supply chain.
- Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth — Ensure a decent income and fair working conditions for all employees globally, increasing the positive impact on business operations.
- Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities — Reduce the negative impact on logistics by improving road safety for transporters and promoting a more sustainable management of transport operations.
- Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production — Promote the reuse and recycling of products to minimize negative environmental impacts, improving business practices throughout the life cycle.
- Goal 13: Climate Actions — Increase positive impact through the development of products that support the achievement of objectives Net Zero, reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
