SDG Impact | SDG Impact Standards - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

The SDG Impact Standards are management practice standards designed to guide businesses and investors to embed sustainability into their decision-making approach. They provide a universal management framework for organizations to have confidence that they are contributing positively to the SDGs in a holistic and systemic way. Learn more about the SDG Impact Standards.

Good for business. Good for people and planet.

A family of four SDG Impact Standards that stretches across the economic ecosystem has been developed so far: Enterprises, Private Equity and Fund Managers, Bond Issuers, and the OECD- UNDP SDG Impact Standards for Financing Sustainable Development.

Why the SDG Impact Standards are needed

Watch the video of Fabienne Michaux, Director of UNDP SDG Impact explain why businesses and investors need to move beyond ESG to sustainability and impact.

Click through to The SDG Impact Standards

SDG Impact Standards for Enterprise

SDG Impact Standards for Private Equity Funds

SDG Impact Standards for Bond Issuers

OECD-UNDP SDG Impact Standards for Financing Sustainable Development

OECD-UNDP Impact Standards for Financing Sustainable Development

How to use the SDG Impact Standards

Get ready:

Read the SDG Impact Standards Glossary of terms
Read the SDG Impact Standards most relevant to you – Enterprises, Private Equity Funds, or Bond Issuers
Read the Guidance for the SDG Impact Standards most relevant to you – Enterprises, Private Equity Funds, or Bond Issuers
Take a look at the self assessment tool for the relevant set of standards ( Enterprises, Private Equity Funds, or Bond Issuers) and think about in the context of your own organization
Complete the UNDP-DUKE on-line coursera course on IMM for the SDGs
Undertake the SDG Impact Standards Training

Take action:

Perform a self assessment and gap analysis against the relevant ( Enterprises, Private Equity Funds, or Bond Issuers) SDG Impact Standards
Prioritise actions and develop an action plan
Fill gaps and strengthen management practice and decision-making over time
Work towards independent assurance and the SDG Impact Seal

SDG Impact Standards Assurance and Seal

🔗 Independent assurance against the SDG Impact Standards will be encouraged. SDG Impact is working with stakeholders to develop an accreditation system for independent practice assurers. Stay up to date with the SDG Impact Standards Assurer Course by visiting our Education and Training page.

🔗 An SDG Impact Seal and associated governance is being developed. Issuers of the SDG Bonds, Private Equity Fund Managers and Enterprises will be able to apply based on independent assurance of practice to a pre-determined level to qualify.

🔗 Learn more about the SDG Impact Assurance Design and Implementation Working Group here.