How to apply the SDGs to your company's strategy

Do you know how the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) They can help companies achieve their goals. sustainability goals?

In this article you will find:

• What are the SDGs? 
• What are the SDG goals?
• The role of the private sector in achieving the SDGs
• Benefits of SDG opportunities for companies
• How to apply the SDGs in the company?
• SDGs in practice: how to overcome structural barriers
• Success story

Reach the sustainable development is today a goal shared by companies, organizations, and governments around the world. To guide this journey, United Nations (UN) launched the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): a global pact that requires the active participation of everyone. 

More than a set of goals, the SDGs are a call to action: aligning economic growth, social well-being and environmental preservation, creating a fair and balanced future for all. 

What are the SDGs? 

You Sustainable Development Goals form a universal agenda, known as Agenda 2030, composed of 17 interconnected goals that seek to eradicate poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity, leaving no one behind. The 17 measures are broken down into 169 specific targets, which must be achieved by 2030—hence the agenda's name. 

To facilitate understanding, the SDGs can be organized into four major dimensions: 

• Environmental: biodiversity conservation, combating deforestation, ocean protection and measures against the climate crisis; 

• Social: health, education, justice and improvement of quality of life; 

• Economic: responsible use of resources, sustainable production and consumption patterns, energy efficiency; 

• institutional: strengthening governance, public policies and implementation capacity. 

Since January 2016, the SDGs are a reference for governments, companies and citizens who wish to act in a structured manner sustainabilityEach country adapts its goals to its own realities and challenges, transforming them into concrete policies, programs, and projects. 

What are the SDG goals? 

THE Agenda 2030 is structured around 17 objectives that, together, chart the path to a sustainable future. See below what they are: 

SDGs 1: Eradicate poverty in all its forms, everywhere; 

SDG 2End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture 

SDG 3: ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, at all ages; 

SDG 4Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 

SDG 5Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 

SDG 6: ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all; 

SDG 7: ensure access to reliable, sustainable, modern and affordable energy for all; 

SDG 8Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all 

SDG 9Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation 

SDG 10Reducing inequality within and between countries 

SDG 11Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 

SDG 12Ensuring sustainable production and consumption patterns 

SDG 13Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 

SDG 14: promote the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development; 

SDG 15Protect, restore and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt the loss of biodiversity 

SDG 16Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 

SDG 17Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development 

The role of the private sector in achieving the SDGs 

The private sector is a key player in ensuring that SDGs get off the ground. Companies drive production chains, generate jobs, shape consumer habits, and exert a strong influence on governments and communities. 

In Brazil, a country with rich biodiversity and major social challenges, this responsibility gains even more weight. The National Voluntary Report 2024 revealed that only 8.2% of the goals have been fulfilled so far. This shows that it is not enough to wait for government action — companies and society need to take the lead. 

In addition to the urgency, the SDGs also represent opportunities: a global reportl points out that business models aligned with Agenda 2030 they can generate US$ 12 trillion in economic value and more than 380 million jobs by 2030.

SDGs in companies: benefits and opportunities 

Adopt the SDGs as a reference is not just an ethical choice, it is a strategic decision. Among the main gains are: 

• Corporate Social Responsibility: you SDGs help transform commitments into concrete plans for positive impact; 

• Impact measurement: its indicators allow you to measure results and compare them on a global scale; 

• Innovation and new business: challenges of SDGs can be starting points for transformative solutions; 

• Brand strengthening: sustainable companies gain more trust from consumers, investors and employees; 

• Risk reduction: align practices with SDGs means anticipating regulations and social expectations; 

• Common global language: facilitates the communication of impact in a clear and comparable way.

How to apply the SDGs in the company? 

First of all, the company needs to be well aware of the specific goals of each SDGs to adopt those that directly interact with your business. 

Here is a practical guide: 

1 – Look for reliable references   

Global Compact guidelines, industry benchmarks, and materiality analysis tools are great starting points. 

2 – Define strategic themes  

What topics are most relevant to your company and its stakeholders? Align these with the risks and opportunities in your industry. 

3 – Make a diagnosis  

Identify gaps, risks, and opportunities in each strategic theme. This will help you develop customized and effective solutions. 

4 – Create an action plan  

Based on the diagnosis, define projects, indicators, goals (short and long term) and necessary resources.  

5 – Monitor and adjust  

Implement mechanisms to monitor the defined indicators. Use dashboards, reports, and audits to keep the agenda on track. 

6 – Communicate with transparency  

Show real results. Be clear when sharing your goals, progress, and challenges. Positive communication is, above all, about accountability. 

SDGs in practice: how to overcome structural barriers 

Many companies want to take action, but face obstacles: bureaucracy, lack of dedicated staff, lack of legal and accounting structure, and limited time.  

Thinking about it, the Sitawi Finanças do Bem created the service Institute-as-a-Service, a complete, safe and efficient solution for structure and execute actions aligned with the SDGs. 

What is Institute-as-a-Service?   

• Accounting, tax and administrative management;   

• Hiring partners and suppliers;   

• Account and payment management;   

• Support for purchases, events and technical missions;   

• Robust governance and guaranteed compliance;   

• Impact reports and accountability;   

• Independent external audit;   

• Saving time and resources. 

Tax benefit 

In addition, companies taxed by the Real Profit have a strategic opportunity: they can can allocate up to 2% of operating profit to positive impact projects and deduct this amount from Income Tax, in accordance with Law 9,249/95 – as long as the donation is made to an OSCIP, as is the case with Sitawi.   

By choosing this allocation, the company transforms an amount that would otherwise have been paid as tax into a concrete action within its ESG strategy. It autonomously chooses where, how, and with what impact to apply these resources, financing climate and socio-environmental initiatives aligned with its brand identity. All this with guaranteed traceability, transparency, and impact measurement. 

Success stories   

Cielo Social Impact Fund: aims to promote the raising and application of financial resources in actions and projects that contribute to environmental conservation and the construction of a more just society. The initiative also provides for action in potential emergency situations and critical events. The resources will be used as a reserve for emergency response, where a rapid response is required to mitigate negative impacts on customers and Cielo Team members. Thus, the company began contributing to SDGs 10 and 17. 

Google Black Founders Fund: The initiative aims to strengthen Afro-entrepreneurship in Brazil by allocating Google resources to startups led by Black founders, boosting diversity and inclusion in the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. Thus, the company began contributing to SDG 10. 

Do you want to implement the SDGs in your company? 

Sitawi is ready to support your organization with agile, secure, and high-strategic-value solutions.  

Talk to us and discover how to align your strategy with the SDGs and generate a truly positive impact.