📣 HOW COMPANIES SHOULD COMUNICATE ABOUT SDG CONTRIBUTION? ANSWER FROM THE "UN SDG CONTRIBUTION VERIFIER"
(The GPT can be used to verify companies' SDG contribution claims, feedback welcome!)
To effectively communicate SDG impact claims, companies should adhere to a structured process to ensure transparency, credibility, and relevance. Here are the key steps outlined in the "Practical Guide to SDG Reporting" for integrating SDGs into corporate reporting:
1. Define Priority SDG Targets:
- Understand the SDGs and Their Targets: Review all SDGs and their targets to understand how they relate to your business operations and value chain.
- Conduct Principled Prioritization: Assess and prioritize SDG targets based on the significance of risks to people and the environment and the potential benefits of your products, services, or investments.
- Define SDG-Related Report Content: Identify the priority SDG targets and significant impacts to include in your report, ensuring alignment with the GRI Reporting Principles.
2. Measure and Analyze:
- Set Business Objectives: Define specific, measurable objectives to contribute to the priority SDG targets.
- Select Appropriate Disclosures: Choose relevant indicators to measure progress against the set objectives, combining qualitative and quantitative data.
- Collect and Analyze Data: Gather and regularly review data to evaluate performance against the SDG targets, using both existing and newly established indicators as needed.
3. Report, Integrate, and Implement Change:
- Consider General Features of Good Practice: Ensure reporting is concise, consistent, current, and comparable. Provide a clear account of your company’s significant impacts and how they have informed your priority SDG targets.
- Consider Data Users' Information Needs: Tailor the information to meet the needs of various stakeholders, including governments, investors, civil society, consumers, and academia.
- Report and Implement Change: Use the SDG reporting process to drive informed decision-making, integrate the SDGs into your company strategy, and stimulate innovation. Regularly update your report to reflect progress and any adjustments in strategy.
Key Recommendations:
- Engage stakeholders throughout the process to validate the significance of impacts and the relevance of SDG targets.
- Avoid "cherry-picking" and "SDG-washing" by addressing both positive contributions and potential negative impacts.
- Ensure alignment with established reporting frameworks such as the GRI Standards and the UN Global Compact principles.
- Apply both internal controls and external assurance to enhance the accuracy and credibility of your reporting.
By following these steps, companies can ensure their SDG impact claims are robust, credible, and contribute meaningfully to the global sustainability agenda.
UN Global Compact Norway UN Global Compact Network Sweden UN Global Compact Network Finland UN Global Compact Network Denmark
