PL
Sustainable development is increasingly talked about in the business world and beyond. It is important in the context of developing modern companies, but not only. So what is sustainable development, what are its goals, and how can business owners help meet its needs? In the following article, we dispel all doubts.
What is Sustainable Development?
The concept of sustainable development, formulated in 1987 by the World Commission on Environment and Development (the Brundtland Report), assumes that the needs of the present generation can be met without reducing the chances of future generations to have their needs met.
Sustainable development means striving for ecological, economic, and social balance. However, this cannot be achieved without simultaneously maintaining harmony between meeting current needs and protecting the environment. So that future generations can continue to benefit from the resources that the Earth offers us.
What Are the Sustainable Development Goals?
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 global goals adopted by UN member states in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda. Their goal is to address the most important challenges facing humanity by 2030. These goals are:
- End Poverty – Eliminate poverty in all its forms everywhere.
- No hunger – ensuring everyone has access to good quality food and promoting balanced development of agriculture.
- Good health and quality of life – providing access to resources to help achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle; promoting well-being for people of all ages.
- Good quality education – ensuring equal access to the highest quality education for all, regardless of their financial situation.
- Gender equality – empowering women and girls; eliminating unethical employment practices.
- Clean Water and Sanitation – ensuring access to clean drinking water and adequate sanitation for all.
- Clean and affordable energy – ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy.
- Economic growth and decent work – a guarantee of sustainable, inclusive economic growth, full employment, and decent work.
- Innovation, industry, infrastructure – building resilient infrastructure, promoting rational industrial development, and supporting innovation.
- Less inequality – reducing material inequality, both within and between countries.
- Sustainable cities and communities – making cities and human settlements safe and resilient.
- Responsible consumption and production – promoting rational consumption and production patterns for customers and companies.
- Climate action – taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
- Life underwater – protection and conscious use of oceans, seas and marine resources.
- Life on land – protecting, restoring, and promoting prudent use of terrestrial ecosystems.
- Peace, justice, and strong institutions – promoting peaceful, just societies and strong institutions that work for the well-being of all.
- Partnerships for the goals – strengthening the means of implementation, and revitalising the global partnership for sustainable development.
These goals constitute a comprehensive plan of action for the sustainable development of societies, economies, and the natural environment worldwide.
Both companies and individuals can pursue sustainable development goals through a variety of activities that combine environmental care, social responsibility, and economic growth. Here are some examples of such activities:
Responsible resource management
- Energy efficiency: implementing energy-saving technologies, e.g. installing LED lighting, energy management systems, and using renewable energy sources (wind, solar).
- Water management: reducing water consumption, retaining water in production processes, and using water purification technologies.
- Sustainable raw materials: using materials from renewable and recycled sources, and ensuring rational sourcing of raw materials.
Waste management
- Recycling and reuse: introducing programs to reduce, reuse, and recycle waste in production processes.
- Minimising packaging waste: reducing the amount of packaging and using biodegradable and recyclable materials.
- Circular economy: transforming waste into raw materials for new products, supporting circular business models.
Sustainable supply chain
- Ethical purchasing: working with suppliers who respect the principles of sustainable development, e.g. those who care about workers’ rights and the environment.
- Carbon footprint in logistics: optimisation of transport (e.g. reducing the number of journeys, using electric vehicles) to reduce CO₂ emissions.
Climate action
- Carbon neutrality: striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by improving energy efficiency, investing in renewable energy sources, and offsetting emissions.
- Emissions reporting: regularly monitoring, reporting, and publishing CO₂ emissions data, for example as part of standards such as the GHG Protocol.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
- Supporting local communities: investing in social, educational, health, and environmental projects at the local level.
- Equality and diversity: ensuring gender equality, integration and cultural and ethnic diversity in the workplace.
- Employee education: providing training, professional development, and education on sustainable development.
Sustainable production
- Ecodesign: designing products to minimise their negative impact on the environment, e.g. by reducing material consumption, eliminating toxic substances, and extending the life cycle of products.
- Green technologies: investing in innovative technologies that reduce the consumption of energy, water, and raw materials or minimise the emission of harmful substances.
Responsible Marketing and Communication
- Educating consumers: informing customers about the benefits of purchasing eco-friendly products, responsible consumption, and encouraging recycling.
- Transparency: communicating sustainability activities transparently, e.g. by publishing reports in accordance with GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) standards.
Green investments
- Investing in green projects: allocating capital to the development of sustainable technologies, renewable energy sources, and programs that limit climate change.
- Issuing green bonds: financing environmental projects through green bonds that are targeted at sustainable initiatives.
Such activities help companies not only minimise their negative impact on the environment but also build a positive image, increase competitiveness, and attract investors and customers looking for ethical and sustainable products.
In summary
Sustainable development is a holistic concept that integrates three key aspects: social, economic, and environmental, striving to achieve a balance between them. It means taking actions that ensure economic development and technological progress while ensuring social justice and the protection of natural resources and ecosystems. The goal of sustainable development is to ensure the well-being of current generations while maintaining the ability of future generations to use the same resources. This includes, among others, responsible use of energy, protection of biodiversity, reduction of pollution, as well as the fight against poverty and inequality. In short, it is development that balances human needs with the limits of the planet, ensuring the long-term, sustainable functioning of communities and the environment.
In 2015, the United Nations (UN) introduced 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a strategy that 193 countries have committed to implementing. These goals aim to combat climate change, develop renewable energy, and protect the environment. For companies, implementing a sustainable development strategy often includes meeting regulatory ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) requirements, which translates into greater respect for natural resources and stakeholders. Transformation towards sustainable development requires cooperation, consultation, monitoring progress, and training programs, e.g. in the HR area.
In Poland, the idea of sustainable development has also been included in the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, which means that the state has committed to implementing activities consistent with ecological balance. In companies, eco-development includes activities such as data processing optimization or the use of renewable energy.
Check out Wide Vision’s services
For more inspiration, check out our Instagram.
