What are Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

Wendy Whewell

ESG and Climate Change Specialist

Discover what the Sustainable Development Goals are, why they were created and how the 17 interconnected goals provide a shared blueprint for a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous future.

Sector-Wide Essentials

Discover what the Sustainable Development Goals are, why they were created and how the 17 interconnected goals provide a shared blueprint for a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous future.

Subscribe to watch

Access this and all of the content on our platform by signing up for a 7-day free trial.

What are Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

3 mins 39 secs

Key learning objectives:

Understand the purpose of the Sustainable Development Goals and the different broad groupings of SDGs
Explain why the SDGs matter to governments, businesses and individuals

Overview:

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are crucial for creating a fair, prosperous, and peaceful world by 2030. In this video module, Wendy Whewell explains that the SDGs are a set of 17 interconnected goals addressing global challenges such as poverty, environmental protection, and social inclusion. They require collective efforts from governments, businesses, and individuals. Wendy highlights how these goals balance economic, social, and ecological priorities, offering a shared blueprint for global progress.

Subscribe to watch

Access this and all of the content on our platform by signing up for a 7-day free trial.

Summary

What is the purpose of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how are they broadly grouped?

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a shared blueprint established by the United Nations to create peace and prosperity for people and the planet now and into the future. They were adopted in 2015 by all UN member states as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, aiming to end poverty and hunger, protect the planet from degradation, and foster economic, social, and technological progress in harmony with nature.

The 17 SDGs are wide-ranging and interconnected, broadly grouped into three areas:

Environment: protecting natural resources and addressing climate change.
Individual wellbeing: ensuring dignity, equality, and a healthy life for all.
Social infrastructure: promoting peaceful, just, and inclusive societies. However, there is overlap among these categories, and different groupings may exist.

Why do the Sustainable Development Goals matter to governments, businesses, and individuals?

The SDGs provide a global framework that applies to all UN member states, encouraging countries to take ownership and implement national frameworks to advance these goals domestically. Although the goals are not legally binding, they guide government policies to create fairer and more prosperous societies.

Beyond governments, businesses and individuals have important roles to play. Organisations can align their strategies and operations with the SDGs, helping to drive sustainable economic, social, and environmental progress. Individuals can contribute by supporting sustainable practices and raising awareness. Together, collective action from all sectors is needed to transform the world by 2030.

Subscribe to watch

Access this and all of the content on our platform by signing up for a 7-day free trial.

Wendy Whewell

Wendy Whewell is the head of ESG and climate change for corporate and commercial banking at Santander. She has spent her career in corporate relationship banking and is now involved in delivering Santander's ambition to be a leader in supporting businesses, individuals, and communities to navigate the journey of mitigating the risks of climate change and achieving net zero in a responsible and sustainable manner. She has also undertaken additional projects such as improving education, career advice, providing support to disadvantaged young people, and sustainability. When she is not working, she likes to undertake wildlife photography, which has taken her around the world to witness the impact of climate change on our planet and all who inhabit it.

There are no available Videos from "Wendy Whewell"