The sustainable development goals
We have identified 4 sustainable development goals that are aligned with our mission and vision future for us all. It is important for us to play an active role in the collective efforts to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.
Our identified SDGs are:
5 – Gender Equality
12 – Responsible Consumption & Production
13 – Climate Action
14 – Partnerships For The Goals
All of the United Nations Sustainability Goals are important, however, it is not possible for us an organisation to focus on all of them. Not all of the SDGs are as relevant to what we do here at Ethical Brand Directory (EBD). Therefore we are primarily focused on the 4 of the SDGs mentioned above and elaborated on below – and we have identified specific targets that align with what we do and that can push us to do more to help achieve the collective vision of the SDGs.
THE UNITED NATION SUSTAINABILITY GOALS (SDGs)
“The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.
The 17 SDGs are integrated—that is, they recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability.
Through the pledge to Leave No One Behind, countries have committed to fast-track progress for those furthest behind first. That is why the SDGs are designed to bring the world to several life-changing ‘zeros’, including zero poverty, hunger, AIDS and discrimination against women and girls.
Everyone is needed to reach these ambitious targets. The creativity, knowhow, technology and financial resources from all of society are necessary to achieve the SDGs in every context” . [UNDP.ORG]
To find out more about the SGDs and the plan for 2030 – watch this VIDEO.
OUR IDENTIFIED SDGs for our business
The Sustainable Development Goals – and the specific targets within them, enable us with a framework to help us stay on course. Having a structured framework is a useful tool as it helps us stay accountable.
By participating in measurable and meaningful activities, it can help us and our brands stay focused on taking action that is positive for people and the planet.
We run virtual sessions for our members to help them set their goals, measure and record their progress – we even provide a reporting template to make life a little easier. To enquire about membership, see our Directory Membership page.
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 5
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Our Founder Roberta Lee, is particularly passionate about gender equality and female empowerment. High levels of human rights violations happen in the fashion industry where 70% of garment workers in China are women, in Bangladesh the share is 85%, and in Cambodia as high as 90% [Fash Rev]. It’s important to question where things are made, and by who. We seek to support ethical businesses that are contributing towards gender equality and the empowerment of women.
Within the context of what we do at EBD we believe these targets are most relevant to our work:
- Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life.
- Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women.
We recognise these targets at a glance may seem gender-biased. This is not our intention to create a system that does not value the contribution of men.
In fact, we believe it is only when men and women have an equal footing in life, business, and politics that we will reach a more balanced society. However, since women are still massively underrepresented we hope to contribute to a society where women have as much exposure and recognition as men. It is not our goal to only promote women, but to ensure that women are celebrated for their business endeavours and given the tools and opportunities to thrive.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 12
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
We believe that economic growth should not lead to the depletion of our natural ecosystems. In a world where we buy things we do not need, we believe fuelling this constant demand for new things is extremely environmentally damaging.
This is why we strongly advocate for only buying things you really need and taking time to curate your life’s possessions more consciously.
Within the context of what we do at EBD we believe these targets are most relevant to our work:
- By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse
- Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle
- By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts* SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 13
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts*
We believe that our planet should be a priority and that we should collectively work towards the goal to reduce the impact we have on the planet. This includes how we operate as a business, what resources we use for our business and products, and how much we consume as individuals. Our Annual Going Green Online Summit has been bringing together sustainability changemakers, from all industries since 2018 to inspire and educate us all on how we can ‘go green’.
Within the context of what we do at EBD we believe these targets are most relevant to our work:
- Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 17
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
We strongly believe we cannot achieve the SDGs without partnering with brands, organisations and NGOs to promote, mitigate and advocate for better behaviours globally. Ethical Brand Directory is proud to partner with other organisations championing change, such as Conscious Campaign (a UN initiative)
Within the context of what we do at EBD we believe these targets are most relevant to our work:
- Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries, in particular developing countries
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development