Annual Report 2017

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Our Selected SDGs
Globally agreed in 2015, the 17 United Nations SDGs are ambitious goals
which tackle the most pressing challenges facing the world in the
coming years. The goals are designed to end poverty, protect the planet
and ensure prosperity for all.
We have chosen to align with six of the most relevant SDGs to address operational
environment management for the Group. As taken from the United Nations Sustainable
Development Knowledge Platform*, these are:
‘Access to safe water and sanitation and sound management
of freshwater ecosystems are essential to human health and
to environmental sustainability and economic prosperity.’
‘Energy is crucial for achieving almost all of the Sustainable
Development Goals, from its role in the eradication of poverty
through advancements in health, education, water supply and
industrialisation, to combatting climate change.’
‘Increasing labour productivity, reducing the unemployment rate,
especially for young people, and improving access to financial
services and benefits are essential components of sustained
and inclusive economic growth.’
‘Sustainable growth and development require minimising the
natural resources and toxic materials used, and the waste and
pollutants generated, throughout the entire production and
consumption process.’
‘Climate change presents the single biggest threat to development,
and its widespread, unprecedented impacts disproportionately
burden the poorest and most vulnerable.’
‘Preserving diverse forms of life on land requires targeted efforts
to protect, restore and promote the conservation and sustainable
use of terrestrial and other ecosystems.’
*“Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform. 2016. Sustainable Development Goals.[ONLINE]
Available at: [Accessed 5 February 2018].”