Guidance needed to ‘join the dots’ between SDGs and practice

A gap between ‘big-picture’ international development objectives and grass roots sustainability practice must be bridged to ensure skilled professionals, organisations and nations can contribute to the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs), said IEMA’s CEO in December.

Tim Balcon said that professionals need more practical advice to steer their organisations.

“There is no doubt that the SDGs provide absolute focus on creating a peaceful and prosperous planet. Their targets need to be on a par with the Paris Accord in terms of stimulating collaboration and directing organisational focus on improving environment and sustainability performance,” said Balcon. “However, with the goals’ deadline just over 12 years away, we must ensure that we join the dots between strategic vision and practice now. That means ensuring professionals everywhere can access support and guidance to make the right day-to-day decisions, which align with big-picture direction,” he continued.

IEMA says that collaboration between professions to exchange practical expertise on a circular economy, responsible finance, ethical procurement, employment law, communications, biodiversity and change management is essential.

It recently published Change Management for Sustainable Development, the first in a new Sustainability in Practice series.

Download free at www.iema.net/cmsd or buy the book for £15 (£25 non-members) at www.iema.net/iema-shop

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