Module 13 – Management of sustainability in details Step 3 and 4: Setting goals and Integrating

This module takes a closer look at steps 3 and 4 of sustainability management: Setting goals and Integrating. Step 3 refers to goal setting and is directly linked to the outcomes from the influence appraisal and prioritization falling under step 02. This is a critical factor in achieving good outcomes since setting specific, measurable, and time-bound sustainability goals help promote communicated preferences and conduct routine across the organization. The SDGs enable companies to establish clear goals and effectively share dedication to sustainable development (Izzo, Granà, Izzo & Busco, 2020). The step 03 can be divided into:

• specify the scope of goals and KPIs,
• specify baseline and choice goal kind,
• specify the level of ambition,
• declare commitment to SDGs.

The organization’s strategy determines how it plans, supervises risks, and maximizes opportunities; therefore, companies should develop their strategic objectives in order to support suitable and effective SDGs via their business model. It means including resource distribution plans and clear, quantified short, medium, and long-term targets (UN Global Compact, 2015).

After goal setting, specific KPIs are recognized together with individual goals suitable for each organization´s strategic priorities. At this point, step 04 occurs; integrating sustainability into the business and embedding targets across processes and operations plays an essential role in managing these goals (SDG Compass, 2015a). Integrating sustainability helps convert all aspects of an organization´s core business (product and service, customer segments, supply chain management, managing raw materials, transport and distribution networks, and product end-of-life) (Verboven & Vanherck, 2016). Companies are increasingly working with partners to enhance their impact and reach to pursue shared objectives or address systematic changes. This step consists of actions (SDG Compass, 2021):

• anchoring sustainability goals within the business,
• ingrain sustainability across all operations and processes,
• encounter in partnerships.