Last week, I had the privilege of co-hosting the UN Global Compact’s Sustainable Development Goals Roadshow in our Edinburgh office, part of a UK-wide tour to take a deep dive into how businesses can embed the goals and see positive change.

As the firm’s Sustainability Manager, I found the event a fantastic opportunity to engage with leaders, innovators, and changemakers from across different sectors to share experiences and find out how other organisations are using the goals to help shape their own sustainability journey.

It became immediately clear that the rising expectations from investors, regulators, employees, and clients is a common trend across industries. Businesses must not only meet these rising demands but also take decisive action to ensure long-term resilience and growth.

Power in collaboration

The Roadshow was designed to move beyond discussion and drive practical solutions. It was truly energising to see the enthusiasm and collaboration among attendees. We shared insights on local and global sustainability challenges and discussed the actions required to create lasting change. What stood out to me most was the emphasis on collaboration - not just within organisations but across entire industries and communities.

Here are some of my key takeaways:

1. The importance of goals:
   In order to make change, there is a need for clear, actionable goals. Setting ambitious targets is essential, but they must be grounded in practical steps that drive real progress. Whether it's reducing carbon footprints, improving workplace equity, or building stronger community partnerships, businesses must set measurable goals that align with both their values and stakeholder expectations.
2. Collaboration for success:
   A shared commitment to collaboration emerged as one of the strongest drivers of progress. Working across sectors and regions opens up opportunities for innovation, resource sharing, and scaling up successful initiatives. By fostering these partnerships, companies can better navigate sustainability challenges and create more impactful solutions.
3. Education for internal buy-in:
   Building internal buy-in can be challenging, but it is essential to creating lasting change. It doesn’t have to mean having a dedicated team, as long as you ensure sustainability is embedded into every department and decision-making process. Educating employees can be a useful tool in driving meaningful progress from the inside out.
4. Leverage current resources to boost your progress:
   We must also recognise the wealth of information and resources already available. Whether it’s accessing best practices, tools, or case studies, businesses don’t need to start from scratch. By leveraging these existing resources, companies can accelerate their progress and focus on adapting proven solutions to fit their specific context.

Strengthening our commitment

For us as a firm, this event reinforced our commitment to tackling sustainability issues head-on. We recognise that these challenges are complex, but we also see them as opportunities to innovate and grow. The SDGs offer a blueprint to help us navigate this landscape, ensuring that our efforts align with global priorities while driving real value for our business and stakeholders.

Hosting the Edinburgh leg of the SDG Roadshow left me feeling excited about the future and about continuing this journey with our partners, clients, and the wider community.  I’m inspired and optimistic about what we can achieve together.

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