Sustainable Development
Addressing sustainable development through SDGs
Among our clients, we see a growing appetite to contribute to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while achieving business value for their organizations.
Reaching these goals will take everyone's contribution, including government, civil society and business. We are working with our clients and leading organizations – with the SDGs as a framework – to address sustainable development.
SDGs are a framework, a commitment and a roadmap for the world. They provide a holistic approach by governments, communities, civil societies and business to tackle some of the most profound challenges of our planet to protect our people. The SDGs are designed to shape the way we live now and for future generations.
Karin Nunan, Principal Consultant - Washington DC, US
ERM’s contribution to SDGs
ERM supports the SDGs. We contribute to them in three ways within our value chain, through:
- The ERM Foundation;
- Our operations; and
- Our consulting services with and for clients and other leading organizations.
Focusing on the SDG targets and indicators, in keeping with evolving best practices, will be the most effective and measurable way for ERM to support the SDGs.
The ERM Foundation tracks the inputs (i.e., grant funding and professional pro bono support) and outputs of each project in alignment with the SDG targets and indicators. In the year ahead, we will also start to measure project outcomes within this framework. This enables us to more effectively understand and demonstrate the impact of our work.
For ERM’s operations, we have identified SDG Goals, targets and indicators that we can make a contribution to through our business strategy, material issues and key performance indicators (KPIs).
In relation to our work with clients and other leading organizations, we have established a working group to identify the SDGs targets and indicators where we can make the greatest contribution.
Governance
KPI
Compliance with laws and regulations
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG target
16.5 Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms
Our people
KPI
Diversity across the organization, reflecting the communities in which we work
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG target
5.5 Ensure women's full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life
10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
Occupational health and safety
KPI
Health and safety performance
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG target
8.8 Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment
Climate change
KPI
Adoption of targets based on science
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG target
7.2 By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning
Innovating with clients and other leading organizations
KPI
Structured approach to develop solutions to changing client needs
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG target
8.2 Achieve higher levels of productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation
Contibuting to society & local communities
KPI
Financial and pro-bono investment in sustainability initiatives
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG target
12.6 Encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices and integrate sustainability information into reporting cycle
17.16 Enhance global partnership for sustainable development by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize, share knowledge, expertise ... to support SDGs in all countries, particularly developing countries
Creating value
Since their adoption two years ago, we have tracked how key industry sectors and companies are working with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We have looked at clients within the sectors to see what direction they are taking. As a result, we not only know the focus businesses are taking but, through engagement with our subject matter experts working within these sectors, we also understand what is working – and not working – with current approaches.
Sustainability is about the value creation model. Business has to manage risk, improve return on capital and grow. Sustainability can help in all of these areas.
Tom Woollard, Partner - London, UK
We are using our learnings from this exercise to inform how we engage with clients on sustainable development and the SDGs. We apply our expertise in social, economic and environmental impact measurement to our SDG-related projects to help organizations understand what activities are delivering the greatest benefit to identified stakeholders and the business itself.
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