How to Use the UN Sustainability Goals in Transparent and Good Green Communication
In today's world, there is increasing pressure on companies to communicate their sustainability efforts in an open and honest manner. Consumers want to know how companies are contributing to a more sustainable future, and businesses must ensure their communication is transparent and authentic. The UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a powerful framework for connecting corporate sustainability efforts to global priorities. But how can companies use the UN’s sustainability goals as part of their green communication in a credible and transparent way?
Align Your Company’s Goals with Specific SDGs
To communicate effectively about sustainability, it's important to align your company's goals and activities with specific SDGs. The UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals cover a broad range of topics, from climate change to gender equality, and provide a universal language for sustainability that consumers and stakeholders recognize.
By identifying which SDGs are most relevant to your business, you can show how your sustainability initiatives are part of a larger global effort. For example, if your company is working to reduce carbon emissions or promote the use of renewable energy, you can tie this to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). By being specific about which goals you contribute to, you demonstrate that your business is serious about its sustainability work.
A good example of this is IKEA, which mentioned during Arendalsuka how they align their internal sustainability goals with the Paris Agreement and global climate goals. This lends credibility to their work and shows that they operate within recognized frameworks that consumers trust.
Be Transparent About Challenges and Progress
Sustainability is a continuous process, and it's important to be honest about both successes and challenges. Many companies may be tempted to exaggerate their achievements or downplay areas where they struggle to make progress. However, to build long-term trust, communication needs to be honest and balanced.
When using the UN’s SDGs as part of your green communication, you should include information about your progress in relation to the relevant goals, and don’t be afraid to mention areas where more work is needed. This can be done through regular reports or updates that show progress over time, including concrete actions and results.
For example, companies can report on how much they have reduced emissions while acknowledging that they have not yet reached all their goals but have plans for further action. This shows transparency and gives consumers confidence that the business is committed to continuous improvement.
Use the Sustainability Goals as Part of Your Storytelling
Consumers respond to good stories, and the SDGs provide a fantastic opportunity to build a compelling narrative around your company’s green efforts. When communicating your company’s contributions to sustainability, you can use the UN’s goals as a framework for telling the story of how your business is helping to solve global challenges.
A successful sustainability story is not just about numbers and reports, but about showing how your actions are positively impacting people, communities, and the environment. For example, you can include stories about how your sustainability efforts have helped local communities or reduced environmental impact in production.
By framing your sustainability communication around the UN’s goals, you also provide consumers with a familiar reference point that helps them understand how your efforts fit into a broader global context.
Conclusion
Using the UN’s SDGs gives companies a unique opportunity to communicate sustainability in a credible and transparent way. By aligning your company’s goals with specific SDGs, being honest about progress and challenges, and using the SDGs as part of your storytelling, you can ensure that your green communication is both authentic and effective. This not only builds trust with consumers but also shows that your company is taking responsibility for its role in the global sustainability effort.
