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Global sustainability targets
The Global Sustainability Targetsalso known as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are part of the UN Agenda 2030created to guide global efforts in favour of balanced and sustainable development.
Adopted by all United Nations member states in 2015, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development defines the priorities and aspirations of global sustainable development for 2030, seeks to mobilise global efforts around a set of common goals and promotes peace, justice and the effectiveness of institutions.
The Sustainable Development Goals were developed from the 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which were in force between 2000 and 2015. They concluded that the 15-year endeavour to achieve 8 ambitious goals was a great success at a global level, but there is still much to be done.
The SDGs aim to go further. In all, there are 17 goals and 169 targets, "a list of things to do on behalf of people and the planet and a blueprint for success", covering crucial areas such as poverty eradication, social equality, environmental preservation and economic prosperity. These goals are the result of a global partnership between all countries, a joint effort between governments and citizens, and represent an urgent call to action to tackle global challenges in an integrated and sustainable way.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are our common vision for humanity and a social contract between world leaders and peoples."
Ban Ki-moon (former Secretary-General of the United Nations)
The global goals, adopted by 193 member countries of the United Nations, are committed to leaving no-one behind. They establish sustainable goals, prioritising essential areas for humanity, and are organised into 5 main principles:
- Planet: protecting our planet's natural resources and climate for future generations
- People: Eradicate poverty and hunger in every way and guarantee dignity and equality
- Prosperity: Ensuring prosperous and fulfilling lives, in harmony with nature.
- Peace: Promoting peaceful, just and inclusive societies
- Partnerships: Implementing the Agenda through a strong global partnership
The rapid economic and industrial development that has taken place in recent years is creating negative impacts on our planet, from the degradation of the biosphere to the climate crisis.
In this sense, the SDGs represent an opportunity to promote sustainable and inclusive growth, combat the climate emergency and preserve biodiversity. In addition, the SDGs create market opportunities for the private sector, stimulate innovation and development on a global scale.
The role of companies in the fulfilment of the SDGs
The success of the SDGs depends on the active role of companies, which are crucial to turning these goals into reality. Companies have the resources, technologies and networks of influence to drive large-scale change, and they have the ability to:
- Innovating and developing sustainable solutions: can create products and processes that reduce environmental impacts and promote resource efficiency
- Mobilising investment: can redirect capital to sustainable initiatives
- Integrating the SDGs into value chainsBy aligning their operations with global targets, they guarantee positive impacts in all dimensions: social, economic and environmental.
- Influencing consumer behaviour and global practices: Through campaigns and responsible business practices, they can educate consumers and partners about the importance of sustainability
- Collaborate with governments and NGOs: can build strategic partnerships to scale global impact projects
The private sector is essential for financing, implementing and accelerating the transformations needed to achieve the SDG targets by 2030.
R3 Natura's contribution
R3 Natura, as a company dedicated to waste management and treatment, can help other companies and play a key role in the fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular the following:
SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of drinking water and sanitation for all
By treating waste in an environmentally responsible way, R3 Natura contributes to the preservation of water resources, preventing the contamination of rivers and soils. It protects ecosystems and water quality, reduces pollution and eliminates the dumping of hazardous chemicals and materials, promoting a cleaner and more sustainable environment for future generations.
SDG 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
In addition to fostering sustainable work opportunities by working with different industries and sectors, R3 Natura promotes practices that integrate environmental responsibility.
SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
By investing in innovative waste treatment technologies that increase the efficiency of production processes and by creating innovative solutions for the reuse of materials, R3 Natura promotes innovation and sustainable infrastructure in industry. These services include other companies in the industrial sector that can also join the Sustainable Development journey.
SDG 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
R3 Natura seeks to achieve environmentally responsible management of materials throughout their life cycle, minimising waste. It works to significantly reduce the generation of waste by transforming it into new resources that are reintroduced into the production process.
SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
R3 Natura is an agent of change, working with the local community on environmental education and actions that contribute to a cleaner planet.
In addition, by implementing practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the industry, such as the use of clean technologies and the valorisation of organic waste, R3 Natura supports the mitigation of the impacts of climate change, in line with the global objectives of preserving natural resources for future generations.
SDGs in Portugal and around the world
The UN monitors countries' progress towards the SDGs through the SDG Index & Monitoring. Between 2015 and 2019, global progress in implementing the 17 SDGs was only 0.5% per year, a rate considered insufficient to achieve the goals by 2030.
Portugal played a key role in drawing up and implementing the 2030 Agenda. In 2022, the UN report on sustainable development, drawn up by independent scientists, highlighted Portugal as one of the most sustainable countries in the world, ranking 16th (out of 166 countries).
2020-2030 is the "Decade of Action" to fulfil the SDGs and R3 Natura can help your company be an active part of achieving these goals. Together we will be part of this ecosystem of change!
