How businesses can drive progress to achieve Sustainable Development Goals
With just 17% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets on track, it seems to be a distant dream to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, in the remaining six years. According to the United Nations report, current progress falls far short of what is required to meet the SDGs.
The report highlights that without massive investment and scaled-up action, the achievement of the SDGs — the blueprint for a more resilient and prosperous world and the roadmap out of current global crises — will remain elusive.
What can individual businesses do to support the sustainability ambition?
Azmat Habibulla- Managing Director & Head - Group Strategic Marketing & Communications, DBS Bank India, emphasises that businesses need to adopt a proactive approach to sustainability, actively promoting sustainable development and contributing to key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “This includes minimising their environmental impact, collaborating with local communities to address social challenges, and advancing inclusion. Establishing clear metrics and ensuring transparent reporting are crucial for building greater accountability and trust with stakeholders.”
At DBS Bank India says Azmat Habibulla that sustainability strategy is guided by three pillars: responsible banking, which encompasses efforts to help clients transition to lower-carbon business models and enhance access to essential financial services; responsible business practices, which include initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint, advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and focus on sustainable procurement; and impact beyond banking, spanning key programmes to uplift vulnerable communities, support purpose-driven businesses for scaling their impact, and encourage employee volunteerism through our "People of Purpose" program.
Anu Chaudhary, Partner and Global Head of ESG Practice, Uniqus Consultech, believes that to ensure a sustainable future; businesses must go beyond mere latent adjustments and prioritise transformative changes. “This entails embracing continuous digital innovation to enhance resource efficiency, reduce emissions, and modernise operations focusing on long-term sustainability. She reinforces that it is crucial to revisit and redesign supply chains by incorporating sustainable materials, adopting circular economy principles, implementing green logistics, and ensuring eco-friendly practices throughout production and distribution processes to reduce environmental footprint significantly. “Conserving water, upgrading wastewater treatment, and training in green skills are vital measures for operational efficiency and environmental stewardship. Collaboration across sectors and partnerships can amplify the impact of these initiatives and position businesses as leaders toward a resilient and sustainable future,” she notes.
Must be a company legacy
George Muthoot George, Deputy Managing Director, Muthoot Finance, sees implementing sustainable business practices as critical for companies.
“With so many compelling reasons to embrace sustainability, one important step would be to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), and promoting activities for each goal can contribute to the overall sustainability of our planet. Corporates should also encourage and instill a sense of social responsibility in each of their employees to incorporate it as part of the company legacy,” acknowledges George.
For Axis Bank, says Vijay Mulbagal, Group Executive- Strategic Programs & Sustainability, sustainability is a board-level agenda that encompasses its business activities, risk management practices, physical operations, human capital, and community interventions, and is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and India's climate action goals. “As an institution, we strongly believe in the power of collaboration and actively engage with our diverse range of stakeholders to move the needle on sustainable development,” says Vijay.
To ensure a sustainable future for the planet, businesses must embrace two critical changes, recommends Ritu Rungta, AVP, Marketing, Xoriant Solutions. According to her, leaders need to undergo a mindset shift, moving beyond mere compliance to embedding sustainability at the heart of their corporate culture. “They must lead by example, prioritising environmental responsibility and social equity as core values that permeate every level of the organisation.”
She further adds that businesses must recognise the interplay between growth and sustainability. “Sustainable practices should be seen as drivers of innovation, resilience, and long-term profitability. Leveraging technologies like AI and data analytics enables businesses to integrate sustainability into operations, track both financial and environmental outcomes, and use data to inform smarter, more responsible decision-making.”
In a world facing increasingly urgent environmental and social challenges, it’s clear that reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires more than incremental adjustments — it demands a fundamental shift in how businesses operate.