Seen this picture before? Most likely, but do you know what it stands for?

In order to end poverty, fight inequality and stop climate change, the world leaders agreed on 17 goals for Sustainable Development in 2015 for a better world by 2030. All in all there was leaders from 193 different countries, all member states of the UN who all wants to contribute to a better world.

But what is Sustainable Development?

Sustainable development has been defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This includes three core elements economic growth, social inclusion and environment protections which is crucial for the well-being of individuals and societies.

17 goals and 169 targets


Each goal is divided into several targets, so if you want to know more what we should do to end poverty, goal number one, or reduce inequality, goal number ten, all you need to do is to go in and read the targets.

What can you do to help the World achieve these goals?

It goes without saying, to reach these goals, everyone has to contribute governments, the private sector, civil society and the general public. But it also matters what you as one company or one individual does. To begin it might be easier to put into a smaller focus area, to make the world a better place is difficult, but to make your company a better place, or your town is a goal that is reachable.
 
If you are a company, do an analyses of your company today, where do to have the best way to contribute to a better world? Is it to work with your climate footprint or perhaps on working with equality and reducing inequality? To work on all the 17 goals at the same time to make the entire world better might be too big, choose a couple of them that is important to you where you can do the best impact. Even though you only work with a couple of them, the side effect of you work will have impact on the rest.
 
Below is a lists on concrete things you as a company or an individual can do to contribute to a sustainable development and making the world a little bit better, piece by piece,
 
- Reduce your general waste and you environment footprint, by avoiding plastic, use public transportation instead of your car and  the train instead of the airplane;
- Stand up against racism, exclusion, discrimination and injustice;
- Make conscious choices in your consumption, by local or fair trade or think once again if you really need a new product, maybe you can buy it from second hand; 
- reduce the use of paper;
- Consume less energy by always turning the lights and computers off etc;
- Recycle, or instead of throwing something away, sell it on second hand or donate it; 
- work and support for equal pay for equal work;
- Perform charity work;