Utilizing the Sustainable Development Goals to Guide Business
Guest Blog by Maquelle T. Drummond
P3 Utah Ballard Center Summer 2021 Intern
Part 1 of 3
Apart from a theme park and a product out of which millions of childhoods are built, what core business principle does the Lego company implement that most corporations do not? Unlike most other major corporations, Lego is using the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to direct its business. As builders, Lego understands the need to creatively approach problems to construct lasting solutions.
Lego’s mantra is one the rest of the private sector would do well to follow: “We’re joining forces with…experts and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to have a lasting impact and inspire the children of today to become the builders of tomorrow.” 1 To build a better business, a company must first build a better world in which that business can thrive. To achieve this purpose, businesses should look to the globally-known Sustainable Development Goals to provide a meaningful framework in which they can work to better the world. This article outlines the why behind businesses adopting the Sustainable Development Goals as well as the how in their integration into current and future business
models.
Why Businesses Should Care About Sustainability
Many companies today have developed some degree of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) program in response to consumer demand and stakeholder pressures. Consumers expect more from businesses, and will expressly reward organizations whose services and products are dually good for them and good for society. 2 The infographic below captures the state of Millennial consumerism, showcasing the substantial demand for CSR programs.
1 “Sustainability Reporting 2020,” Lego, The Lego Group, 2021, https://www.lego.com/enus/
aboutus/sustainability/reporting/.
2 Rudominer, Ryan. “Corporate Social Responsibility Matters: Ignore Millennials at Your Peril.” Center for
Social Impact Communication. Georgetown University. Accessed May 22, 2021.
https://csic.georgetown.edu/magazine/corporate-social-responsibility-matters-ignore-millennials-peril/.
As the rising generation demands more from the corporate world, businesses are scrambling to
find their personal sweet spot between raising profit and creating impactful programs which benefit
their consumers, society, and the environment. This aim is defined as the triple bottom line.
As the rising generation demands more from the corporate world, businesses are scrambling to find their personal sweet spot between raising profit and creating impactful programs which benefit their consumers, society, and the environment. This aim is defined as the triple bottom line.
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