The 2030 Countdown: Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

As the global community races toward the 2030 deadline, Syenah plays a pivotal role by leveraging GenAI technology to monitor and mitigate ESG risks in real time, ensuring that businesses align their actions with the SDGs and contribute to a more equitable and sustainable world.

On September 22nd and 23rd, global leaders will convene at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to address the Sustainable Development Goals —a set of 17 ambitious targets established in 2015 aimed at building a more equitable and sustainable world by 2030. With only six years left to achieve these goals, the recently released 2024 Sustainable Development Goals Report paints a concerning picture. Currently, only 17% of the SDG targets are on track. More than one-third of the targets have either stalled or regressed, highlighting the significant challenges the global community faces.

Why the SDGs Matter

The SDGs are not mere aspirations, they represent a framework designed to tackle the world’s most pressing issues. They were established in 2015 by the United Nations as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a global plan adopted by all 193 UN member states. Meeting these goals is essential for ensuring a future where economic growth is balanced with social inclusion and environmental sustainability. For instance, Goal 1 (No Poverty) and Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) are foundational for broader economic development, as they address the basic needs that must be met before any society can truly prosper. Goal 13 (Climate Action) is critical for mitigating the escalating effects of climate change, which threaten to undo decades of progress in other areas.

Current Progress and Challenges

The 2024 SDG Report indicates that while 17% of targets are on track, nearly half are showing only minimal or moderate progress, and the remaining goals are either stagnating or declining.

Source: The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024

The lingering impacts of COVID-19, combined with ongoing conflicts, climate shocks, and economic turmoil, have exacerbated existing inequalities. Between 2019 and 2022, an additional 23 million people fell into extreme poverty, and over 100 million more suffered from hunger. Environmental crises are further threatening planetary ecosystems; 2023 marked the warmest year on record, with global temperatures approaching the 1.5°C limit set by the Paris Agreement. Greenhouse gas emissions and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations hit new highs in 2022, with no signs of slowing in 2023.

Developing countries are disproportionately affected by these challenges. Systemic deficiencies in global economic and financial systems, coupled with insufficient international support, have left these nations grappling with escalating inequalities, biodiversity loss, and persistent gender disparities. The report underscores that without substantial reforms in global governance and financial architecture, these countries are at risk of falling further behind, jeopardising the achievement of the SDGs.

Despite these setbacks, there have been notable successes. Renewable energy capacity has surged by 8.1% annually over the past five years, and global internet access has increased from 78% in 2015 to 95% in 2023. Healthcare advancements have significantly reduced HIV/AIDS-related deaths, with increased access to life-saving treatments averting 20.8 million deaths over the past three decades. Additionally, girls in many regions have achieved or surpassed parity with boys in educational attainment. Technological innovations, including artificial intelligence, are also transforming work and employment opportunities, with 5.4 billion people now having access to the Internet.

The Path Forward

To achieve the SDGs, the 2024 report calls for bold, coordinated action in three key areas:

• Peace: Resolving ongoing conflicts and preventing future ones through dialogue, diplomacy, and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter. Peace is a prerequisite for sustainable development, as conflicts disrupt societies, economies, and the environment.
• Solidarity: Providing developing countries with the financial resources and fiscal space they urgently need. This includes reforming the outdated international financial system to enable greater investment in the SDGs. Solidarity among nations is essential for ensuring that no country is left behind in the pursuit of sustainable development.
• Implementation Surge: Massive investments and more effective partnerships are necessary to drive critical transitions in areas such as food, energy, and digital connectivity. These efforts must also include dismantling gender barriers and empowering women and girls, who are often the most affected by poverty and inequality.

The Role of Businesses and Investors in Achieving the SDGs

The relevance of the SDGs extends far beyond governments and non-profits. For businesses and investment managers, the SDGs represent both a responsibility and an opportunity, unlocking new markets and driving innovation. For instance, investing in renewable energy not only helps combat climate change but also opens up new revenue streams in a rapidly growing sector. Similarly, improving access to education and healthcare can lead to a more skilled and healthy workforce, boosting productivity and economic growth. Companies that lead in these areas are likely to enjoy a competitive advantage, as consumers and investors increasingly favour businesses that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. The private sector’s involvement is indispensable, as it has the resources, innovation, and influence to drive significant progress.

ESG-Sentinel: A Solution for Real-Time SDG Compliance and Risk Management

In light of these challenges ESG-Sentinel emerges as a powerful tool for corporates and financial institutions committed to achieving the SDGs. ESG-Sentinel is an advanced platform that provides real-time ESG risk intelligence, helping organisations detect and analyse potential misalignments with SDG targets.

• Real-Time ESG Incident Detection: ESG-Sentinel continuously monitors and analyses over one million news articles, hundreds of NGO reports, and a vast array of social media sources daily. This real-time information ensures that decision makers are immediately aware of any ESG incidents, enabling swift and effective action.
• Advanced AI Analytics: ESG-Sentinel employs proprietary AI models to assess the impact and severity of each incident, providing valuable insights for risk mitigation. The platform categorises incidents based on various ESG frameworks, including the SDGs, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
• Supply Chain Due Diligence: ESG-Sentinel extends its monitoring capabilities across the entire supply chain, offering real-time ESG incident detection beyond the first tier. This allows for a holistic view of risks and enables informed decision-making.
• Portfolio Management and ESG Compliance: For investors, ESG-Sentinel offers dynamic, customisable ESG risk scores for individual companies and entire portfolios. The platform provides real-time alerts, interactive visualisations, and powerful analytics tools, facilitating informed decision-making and compliance with ESG regulations.
• Combat Greenwashing: Unlike many other tools, ESG-Sentinel does not rely on self-reported data from companies, which can often be biased or incomplete. Instead, it leverages a wide array of external data sources, providing an objective and comprehensive analysis of ESG performance.

As the world faces unprecedented challenges, the need for real-time, actionable insights into ESG performance has never been greater. ESG-Sentinel offers a comprehensive solution, empowering organisations and investors to navigate the complexities of sustainable development and make a meaningful impact.

Contact us today to see how your organisation can contribute to a better world by 2030.