SDGs: an unmissable opportunity for businesses

WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT?

Before defining what the SDGs are and what they are designed for, it is useful to refer to the UN definition of ”sustainable development”.

According to the definition proposed in the report “Our Common Future” published in 1987 by the World Commission on Environment and Development (the Bruntland Commission) of the United Nations Environment Programme, sustainable development is defined as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

To enable future generations to achieve their goals, it is essential to harmonise three dimensions: economic growth, environmental protection and social inclusion. The term ”sustainable” is therefore no longer linked only to its ”green” meaning, as it also includes economic and social dynamics.

WHAT THE SDGs ARE and WHAT THEY ARE FOR

The SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) are a set of 17 goals agreed in 2015 by all 193 UN member states for a greener, healthier, more peaceful and more equitable planet.

The SDGs are part of the broader 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and were developed based on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The predecessors of the SDGs (the MDGs) were eight in number and were launched by the United Nations in 2000 to eradicate poverty, hunger, illiteracy and disease.

SDGs AND BUSINESs

Recently, companies all over the world, and in all sectors, have started to align their business strategy with the SDGs. They are not only a challenge to achieve more sustainable management, but also a business opportunity to identify new markets, improve efficiency and reputation. More than 18,000 companies in 160 countries have signed up to the SDGs and the ten principles of the United Nations Global Compact, a voluntary initiative to promote a culture of corporate social responsibility on a global scale.

Companies of all sizes and in all sectors must contribute to the achievement of the SDGs by transforming and using new business models.

Deciding to pursue these goals will create many benefits for businesses.

ZEROCO2 AND THE SDGs

At zeroCO2 we believe that companies need to change the status quo by innovating and transforming their businesses towards sustainability. That’s why we decided first and foremost to create a business that engages in close dialogue with the SDGs. We have shaped our business to create as much impact as possible, taking into account the three fundamental elements of sustainability: environment, society and economy.

But how do we contribute to the SDGs? and which SDGs do our projects touch? and finally, how can a company contribute to the achievement of the SDGs?

We manage high-impact reforestation projects in several countries around the world. We donate the trees we plant to farming communities, generating food security and economic support. We are the sustainability partner of many companies that are working with us to help combat the climate crisis, support people living in deforested areas of the world and reduce and offset their environmental impact. 

Our high-impact reforestation projects aim to achieve various SDGs.

In particular, we contribute to the achievement of SDG 13 – Climate action.

Reforestation is considered one of the best performing actions in combating the climate crisis as trees are considered the most effective and economical “technology” for offsetting greenhouse gases. Planting a tree supports the global effort to combat climate change.

The second environmental goal we support is SDG 15 – Life on Land.

We restore ecosystems in areas that have been deforested. In this way, we help conserve global biodiversity and recreate natural habitats.

Our projects also touch on some of the more economic goals. By donating all the trees we plant to farming families in rural areas of Guatemala, Peru and Argentina, we generate a social and economic impact that is essential for sustainable development.

We contribute to SDG 1 – No poverty.

We work in contexts of extreme poverty and the trees we plant have a huge impact on the lives of the communities we work with. A tree and its fruit are an essential tool for overcoming poverty in developing countries.

SDG 2 – Zero Hunger.

Families also use fruits for their consumption. A tree and its fruits generate food security. In addition, the training we provide to farming families promotes sustainable farming practices.

SDG 4 – Quality education.

At zeroCO2, we believe that education is the engine of sustainable development, and therefore, we have decided to train the farming communities we work with on sustainable land management. The training we are promoting in collaboration with Comparte ONLUS aim precisely at providing quality education where it is most needed.

SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth

We generate inclusive and sustainable economic growth and employment. The trees we donate empower farmers to work their own land. A tree provides economic support.

SDG 10 – Reduced inequalities.

Income inequality in countries around the world is growing, and at the same time, the inequality between rich and poor within individual countries is increasing. Donating a tree to farming families supports the fight against this vicious circle.

Contributing directly to all these SDGs is not easy for any company. However, by supporting impact projects such as zeroCO2, every company can start on its path to sustainability.

For example, the creation of a corporate forest allows any company to support the SDGs we have just mentioned.

Corporate forest: 

We create the corporate forest in one of our high social impact reforestation projects. Every single tree planted is geolocated and traceable thanks to CHLOE and can be adopted by customers/employees via a redemption code. They will receive regular personalised updates and see the trees in the forest grow from a remote location. 

A small gesture like creating a corporate forest has a huge impact both socially and environmentally. 

– SDGs touched: 1, 2, 4, 8, 10, 13, 15 

CONCLUSIONS

Tackling the climate crisis and achieving the SDGs requires broad, cross-cutting solutions that touch on multiple aspects of sustainability. In particular for environmental actions, it is essential to increasingly include the human and social side, so that projects generate a greater impact and contribute to achieving a better planet for all the living beings that inhabit it, including plants.