What are the Sustainable Development Goals?
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a worldwide call-to-action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The 17 goals cover areas including economic inequality, innovation, sustainable consumption, peace and justice. They are interconnected: often the key to success for one will involve tackling issues more commonly associated with another.
Halfway to 2030, we are nowhere near halfway to achieving the SDGs. It’s time for the UK Government to show global leadership and take decisive action to put us back on track.
Our open letter to the UK Government
The world's leading accountancy and finance bodies, including ICAEW, are urging the UK Government to take transformative action to achieve the SDGs and secure our collective future.
Read the letter
ICAEW among organisations urging action on SDGs
Halfway to the 2030 deadline to meet the SDGs, the UN reports just 12% progress and an open letter urges the UK Prime Minister to take action.
Read the article
Test your knowledge of the goals
What can you do?
As an individual
One place to start is to consider which of the SDGs you're most interested in. What matters to you most? Use that SDG as your entry point. Consider which other SDGs yours depends on for success, and begin to think of ways to contribute to all of these.
As an organisation
You might want to consider running an interactive workshop on the SDGs: a great way to engage stakeholders and staff in the SDGs and drive them into an organisation’s strategy.
This workshop has been run with approximately 4500 people around the world. It's designed for up to 150 participants to work in groups of 5-10 people, in businesses of all sizes, schools, universities and wider organisations.
If you’re planning an SDG workshop and would like some advice, get in touch.
Further reading
ICAEW insights
Related content
Hub
ICAEW's Sustainability hub
Sustainability describes a world of thriving economies and just societies based on what nature can afford; finance professionals all have a role to play if sustainability goals are to be met.
Find out moreICAEW Community
Sustainability and Climate Change
Inspiration, insights and collective ambition for professionals delivering on sustainability and acting on climate change.
Find out moreQualification
ICAEW Sustainability Certificate
ICAEW’s Sustainability Certificate equips accountants and other finance professionals with the practical knowledge and skills to integrate sustainability reporting into their organisations.
Find out more*According to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres on 23 April 2023, the SDG Progress Report shows that just 12% of the Sustainable Development Goal targets are on track.