How can you align impact measurement with sustainable development goals?

1 What are SDGs and why are they relevant for CSR?

SDGs are a set of 17 goals and 169 targets that aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030. They were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 and are supported by 193 countries. SDGs provide a common language and vision for addressing the most pressing challenges of our time. For CSR practitioners, SDGs offer a way to align their strategies and actions with the global agenda, demonstrate their contribution to social and environmental change, and communicate their impact to stakeholders.

2 How to select the most relevant SDGs for your impact measurement?

You don't have to measure your impact on all 17 SDGs, but rather focus on the ones that are most relevant and material for your business and stakeholders. To do this, you can use a materiality assessment, which is a process of identifying and prioritizing the issues that matter most. This assessment can help you to understand the needs and expectations of your stakeholders, assess the risks and opportunities of your business activities on the social and environmental dimensions of the SDGs, define your strategic objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) for CSR and impact measurement, as well as select the most relevant SDGs and targets that align with your objectives and KPIs.

3 How to collect and analyze data on your impact on SDGs?

Once you have selected the most relevant SDGs and targets for your impact measurement, you need to collect and analyze data on your performance and progress. To achieve this, surveys, interviews, focus groups, and observations can be used to gather qualitative data from stakeholders and beneficiaries. Additionally, indicators, metrics, and benchmarks can be employed to measure quantitative data on outputs, outcomes, and impacts. Data sources such as internal records, external reports, databases, and platforms can be accessed for reliable and comparable data. Finally, data analysis techniques like descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and data visualization can be used to interpret and present the data.

4 How to report and communicate your impact on SDGs?

The final step of your impact measurement process is to report and communicate your impact on SDGs to your stakeholders. To do this, you can use different formats and channels, such as reports that follow the standards and guidelines of organizations like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), or the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB). You can also craft and share stories, such as case studies or videos, with your audience to showcase your impact. Additionally, you can use digital tools and strategies to optimize and amplify your impact communication on platforms such as websites, social media, or newsletters.

5 How to improve and learn from your impact measurement on SDGs?

Impact measurement is not a one-time activity, but a continuous and iterative process. To ensure that you are always improving and learning from your impact measurement on SDGs, you should use feedback and evaluation mechanisms such as feedback loops, evaluation methods, and learning systems. Feedback loops can include surveys, interviews, or reviews to collect feedback from stakeholders and beneficiaries. Evaluation methods such as logic models, theory of change, or impact evaluation can be used to assess and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of your impact measurement and communication. Learning systems such as dashboards, reports, or workshops can capture and share the lessons learned and best practices from your impact measurement and communication.