{"id":610,"date":"2018-06-05T08:10:04","date_gmt":"2018-06-05T08:10:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sustainability-academy.org\/un-sustainable-development-goals-rather-than-corporate-opportunity-are-sdgs-used-for-greenwashing\/"},"modified":"2025-07-17T11:18:40","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T11:18:40","slug":"objetivos_de_desarrollo_insostenible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sustainability-academy.org\/es\/objetivos_de_desarrollo_insostenible\/","title":{"rendered":"Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de la ONU: m\u00e1s que una oportunidad empresarial \u00bfSe utilizan los ODS para el lavado verde?"},"content":{"rendered":"

When the Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE<\/a>) began its research into\u00a0Sustainability Reporting in North America<\/a>, we knew we\u2019d get important insights on how companies approach reporting, what they include, perhaps most importantly, what they omit.<\/h2>\n

Of the North America companies under review in the 2015-2016 sustainability reporting period, only 6.2% integrated SDGs (UN Sustainable Development Goals) in their reporting, and only 6% integrated all 17 SDGs. \u00a0Most incorporated some, and 21% just mentioned them, stating they were under review.<\/p>\n

Fast forward a year, and we are finding that in many sectors, the use of UN Sustainable Development Goals in reporting and strategy has increased dramatically.\u00a0 Over 13% of companies which provide sustainability reports in telecommunications include the SDGs; 12.2% in the chemicals sector; 10.4% in retail.<\/p>\n

WHY are companies ramping up use of the UN Sustainable Development Goals?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Some argue is it purely greenwashing.\u00a0 How could key multinational corporations have addressed ALL the SDGs mere months after they were presented to the world?\u00a0 Maybe those companies merely took existing programs and imposed them on the SDG framework.<\/p>\n

How could reporting of SDGs double in some sectors in just over a year?\u00a0 Again, might they be cherry picking SDGs to match what they are already doing?<\/p>\n

And, what of the arguments that the SDGs are too focused on development, an excuse for and justification of continued unsustainable corporate growth?\u00a0 Need a company only claim to follow a few SDGs to otherwise operate unfettered?\u00a0 If a beverage company adheres closely to clean water targets (#6), does it get a pass on good health and well-being (#3)?<\/p>\n

There is no perfect corporation, no perfect solution to poverty (#1), peace and justice (#16) or any of the other SDGs.\u00a0 Yes, there may be some contradictions in the targets \u2013 how does one simultaneously \u201cdevelop\u201d and \u201cprotect\u201d?<\/p>\n

Yet, the SDGs offer GOALS, targets, and ambitions.\u00a0 They refine complex concerns to easily understandable concepts.\u00a0 They demonstrate interrelationships, emphasize the need for collaboration and unite nations in common action for the greater good.<\/p>\n

As for greenwashing, SDGs provide a framework within which corporations can state efforts, measure progress and strive for more.\u00a0 Once a company claims progress on an SDG, it opens itself to scrutiny.\u00a0 If a company says it is committed to protecting life on land (#15), its actions are then viewed through this lens.\u00a0 SDG language, perhaps started as greenwashing, becomes a promise by which stakeholders can judge a company\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n

Have SDGs never been and never will be used for greenwashing?\u00a0 Of course not.\u00a0 \u00a0Whether on purpose, poor planning, or oversight, the less vigilant can fail to meet their promises.<\/p>\n

That is why CSE holds trainings<\/a> in strategic locations.\u00a0 The Energy sector accounts for 13% of sustainability reporting in the US, followed by Financial Services \u2013 both critical to the regional economy.\u00a0 These sectors will be expected to report at minimum on progress toward clean energy (#7), decent work and economic growth (#8), industry, innovation, and infrastructure (#9), and climate change (#13).<\/p>\n

What the SDGs provide is a checklist by which companies can be held accountable. The sooner companies can manifest them throughout their corporate culture, the better for all of us.<\/p>\n

By Nikos Avlonas<\/p>\n

Originally posted to CSRWire\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

How Sustainability Academy Supports SDG Integration<\/h3>\n

At Sustainability Academy<\/strong>, we equip professionals and leaders with the tools to understand<\/strong>, apply<\/strong>, and report on SDGs<\/strong> through online courses and corporate programs.<\/span><\/p>\n