Outcomes of the 2017 survey of Swiss companies on the importance of the SDGs

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted in 2015 by the 193 member states of the United Nations and form the core for its 2030 agenda. The SDGs call upon states, businesses, science, as well as civil society to contribute to sustainable development. To learn how relevant the SDGs are for Swiss companies, we surveyed over 100 companies of different sizes and various sectors about their perspective on the SDGs.

Here are some of our findings:

  • About 70% of the participating companies consider the SDGs to be relevant.
  • The SDGs on climate protection (SDG 13), high-quality education (SDG 4), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), and industry/innovation/infrastructure (SDG 9) are considered the most important goals for the Swiss economy.
  • The topics regarded as most important for companies themselves are SDG 13 and SDG 9.
  • About 60% of the participating companies have already addressed the SDGs. This is more often the case for companies that already publish a sustainability report.
  • Almost half of the participating companies are still navigating how they will deal with the SDGs in the future.
  • The companies see the greatest benefit of the SDGs in aligning their own sustainability commitment, prioritizing sustainability issues, raising awareness of sustainability initiatives, differentiating themselves in the marketplace, and improving their reputation.
  • The biggest challenge is to break down the general goals to the company’s specific situation.

SDGs seen as most important for the Swiss economy:


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