When the United Nations unveiled the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, they were audacious, ambitious, and, to my cynical eyes, almost hopelessly idealistic. The collection’s 17 goals are a kitchensink wishlist for a dramatically better world where poverty and hunger are eradicated, good health and education are universally accessible, and climate action is not just an obligation but a priority. The SDGs are noble, inarguable, and undeniable. That is why they were adopted by a unanimous vote of all 193 member nations.
But are they truly attainable? Progress has been made, but the world still needs to achieve these ambitious goals. We have seen success in areas like renewable energy and health, but we face daunting challenges, particularly in combating hunger, reducing inequality, and preserving biodiversity.
As we approach the halfway mark of the 2030 deadline, the finish line is far from clear.
To be sure, there have been notable successes since the SDGs were launched. Take, for instance, Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being. Global efforts to combat diseases, improve maternal health, and provide vaccine access have saved millions of lives. The global under-five mortality rate has been cut by nearly half since 2000, largely thanks to these efforts. (Note, the COVID pandemic was relatively benign for children under five.) In Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, we’ve seen renewable energy capacity more than double in the last decade, with solar and wind power leading the charge in reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
But for every step forward, there are areas where progress has stalled or even reversed. Goal 2: Zero Hunger is a stark example. Despite early gains, global hunger is again rising, driven by conflict in regions like Yemen and South Sudan. As of this writing, 1.5M people are at risk for starvation in the Darfur region. The number of undernourished people in the world has increased from 624 million in 2014 to over 800 million today.
Goal 15: Life on Land also presents a sobering picture. Despite increased awareness and conservation efforts, the rate of biodiversity loss remains alarming. We are losing species at a rate unprecedented in human history, and this decline is directly linked to human activities, from deforestation to climate change.
The SDGs were not just a set of guidelines—they were a call to action for governments, businesses, and individuals alike. Although I have been skeptical from the beginning, I have been impressed by the willingness of some businesses to commit to these lofty goals.
Worth’s Impact 150 is our way of highlighting companies moving the needle. These companies are not perfect—they are still businesses—but they are committed to making a difference. They understand that in today’s world, businesses can no longer afford to operate in a vacuum. We built the list in partnership with Karma Wallet, which aggregates data from over 30 trusted third-party sources to evaluate companies’ social and environmental performance.
The Impact 150 businesses are not merely responding to market pressures or regulatory requirements—they are driven by a genuine desire to effect change. Here are just a sample:
- Apple: It is on track to become carbon neutral across its entire business by 2030, having already achieved 100% renewable energy usage across its global corporate operations.
- Bank of America: BoA has committed $1 trillion by 2030 towards sustainable investments, already achieving carbon neutrality in its operations and procuring 100% renewable electricity by 2019.
- L’Oréal: It has reduced the carbon emissions of its production sites by 81% since 2005, while production volumes have increased by 37%.
- Nike: Since 2015, Nike has reduced its carbon emissions per unit of revenue by 30%, and 100% of its North American facilities are powered by renewable energy.
By spotlighting these trailblazers, we can inspire others to follow suit.
I first saw the multi-colored wheel that is the Sustainable Development Goals pin on the lapel of David Kirkpatrick, the founder and former editor-in-chief of Techonomy. I bought one shortly after that. Since then, I have seen them worn by tattooed hipsters in the East Village and captains of industry in Davos. Much as a flag pin is part of the standard politician’s uniform, the SDG pin seems to signify a particular global citizenship. This is virtue signaling, no doubt, but at least these are virtues common to 196 nations. That alone is worth celebrating.
