In 2015, more than 190 countries adopted the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which set out an ambitious agenda to tackle climate change, provide clean water, eradicate poverty, and more, with a target completion date of 2030.
Fast forward to 2024, the halfway point and these goals have become more than just an international commitment—they are a blueprint for business strategy, growth, and risk management.
The global business landscape has evolved considerably since the SDGs were first introduced. In 2024, businesses increasingly recognize that their survival and growth are closely linked to sustainability. As Bhaskar Chakravorti, senior associate dean of international business and finance at The Fletcher School at Tufts University, wrote in the Harvard Business
Review nearly a decade ago, there are three compelling reasons why businesses should engage with the SDGs:
In the past decade, it has become increasingly evident that sustainability is more than compliance—it’s a core business strategy. Klaus Leisinger, president of the Foundation Global Values Alliance, has long argued that companies, especially large multinationals, must be in charge of implementing the SDGs. Leisinger’s perspective remains relevant in 2024: “Competing with integrity is smart risk management. Ignoring global societal interests can result in reputational damage, legal consequences, and increased regulation.”
Volkswagen’s emissions scandal, which erupted around the same time the SDGs were introduced, is a powerful reminder of the consequences of neglecting sustainable practices. By investing in sustainability, companies can mitigate risks, enhance their reputation, and foster long-term profitability.
What do the SDGs mean for businesses’ day-to-day operations in 2024? The principles embedded in the SDGs can be applied across various sectors. For instance, Goal 12, which aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, remains highly relevant for industries like packaging. Businesses are encouraged to reduce waste, recycle, and support more sustainable practices, as outlined by GreenBlue’s Sustainable Packaging Coalition.
The shift toward sustainable packaging, for example, has accelerated. Companies are adopting practices such as using compostable materials, increasing the recycled content in their packaging, and encouraging reuse and repurposing. The adoption of circular economy principles—where products and materials are used for as long as possible—has gained significant momentum since 2015.
The 2024 update to the SDG Fund’s report, “Business and the United Nations: Working Together Towards the Sustainable Development Goals,” provides a framework for action. Companies like Microsoft, AB InBev, and H&M continue to lead by example, integrating the SDGs into their core business strategies. The report outlines several steps businesses can take to accelerate progress toward the SDGs:
David Festa, vice president of ecosystems at the Environmental Defense Fund, emphasized that “SDGs are more than altruism—they are smart business.” Reducing deforestation, making food production more resilient to climate change, and protecting natural resources are ethical imperatives and strategies to ensure supply chain resilience, reduce emissions, and improve public health outcomes.
As we move toward the 2030 deadline, the urgency to act on the SDGs has never been greater. Companies aligning with these goals are positioning themselves as responsible corporate citizens and leaders in a rapidly changing world. The SDGs are not just a call to action for governments and non-profits—they are a roadmap for business success.
By embedding sustainability into their core operations, companies can contribute to a healthier planet, stronger communities, and more resilient economies—while ensuring long-term profitability and competitiveness.
The journey from 2015 to 2024 has shown that the SDGs are no longer a distant global agenda—they are integral to business strategy and survival. For companies that embrace the SDGs, the next six years represent an unprecedented opportunity for growth, innovation, and leadership in the global economy.
