SDG AMBITION ACCELERATOR

Activating ambitious action to achieve the SDGs

Applications open July 2023

Programme Overview

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SDG Ambition is a six-month accelerator that aims to challenge and support participating companies of the UN Global Compact in setting ambitious corporate targets and accelerating integration of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into core business management. SDG Ambition enables companies to move beyond incremental progress and step-up transformative change – unlocking business value, building business resilience, and enabling long-term growth.

The need for SDG Ambition today is clear. The world is not delivering progress towards the SDGs at the pace and scale needed. While it is still possible to shift the world towards a 1.5°C trajectory and achieve the SDGs by 2030, it will take urgent, scalable and multi-stakeholder action to dramatically accelerate progress. Companies must take a clear stand and demonstrate bold leadership to transform business models and economies so they become more just and inclusive – leaving no one behind.

SDG Ambition will empower and equip participating companies of the UN Global Compact to develop and implement innovative business strategies that significantly increase their positive impact on the SDGs. Through the Global Compact Local Networks, participating companies will assess current performance, identify risk areas, discover new opportunities across business units and functions and take ambitious business action towards achieving the SDGs.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

  • How to strategically prioritize actions that will accelerate your company’s contribution to the 2030 Agenda
  • How to set targets aligned with absolute benchmarks that today may seem aspirational but are critical to spearhead the transformation of economies and societies
  • How to approach sustainability management differently and design new systems integrating the SDGs
  • How to build a business case and generate sustainability buy-in from your company

WHAT YOU WILL GAIN

  • An understanding of baseline impacts across the business to help create a comprehensive sustainability strategy
  • The ability to achieve ambitious goals aimed at galvanizing business action with what is actually required to achieve the SDGs
  • An overview of how to integrate and mainstream ambitious sustainability goals across business units by pioneering a performance integration approach that utilizes enabling technologies
  • An opportunity to communicate and track progress over time
  • The foundational tools and understanding to build a business case
  • Insight into industries with an outsized impact on the SDGs
  • Ability to develop and share ambitious business actions on the SDGs alongside a diverse group of leaders from numerous corporations
  • Certificate demonstrating completion of programme


The Learning Experience

Participants align on their vision, prioritize an SDG Ambition Benchmark and set ambitious goals.

Imagine the Future

  1. Global Kick-Off
  2. Four Deep-Dive Sessions
  3. Four On-Demand Courses
  4. One Working Session
  5. Complete Assessment

Participants ideate and build out pathways, evaluate the consequences and develop a business case for an SDG Ambition Benchmark.

Sharpen the Vision

  1. Two On-Demand Courses
  2. Two Facilitated Sessions
  3. Two Working Sessions
  4. Department Check-In
  5. Midpoint Progress Check

Participants identify success metrics, key technologies and capabilities to help implement their goals, craft their pitch and define next steps.

Build the Future

  1. Two On-Demand Courses
  2. Three Facilitated Sessions
  3. One Deep-Dive Session
  4. One Working Session
  5. Department Check-In
  6. Regional Send-Off
  7. Turn In Final Concept


Learn what participating companies are saying

Interested in Participating?

The below countries list is for the 2022 SDG Ambition Accelerator. The 2023 list will be announced in July 2023.

In-Network Track: Available in 26 Local Networks, the in-network track will be facilitated in the local language and local time zone wherever possible. It will feature a series of live and on-demand sessions, hands-on support, workshops, and peer-to-peer networking opportunities.

Africa Track: New this year, the Africa track will bring together companies from all across the continent to collaborate on unique opportunities to take ambitious action on the SDGs. Space is limited. Please apply early.

Global Track: Facilitated in English, the global track is available for companies that do not have a Local Network running the SDG Ambition Accelerator. It will offer the same curriculum as the in-network track, and is delivered through a series of live and on-demand sessions. Space is limited. Please apply early.

Participating companies of the UN Global Compact based in the countries below have the opportunity to sign up to the in-network track through their Global Compact Local Network. If you are not located in one of the countries below, you can still apply to the global track.

The in-network track of SDG Ambition Accelerator is offered by these Local Networks:

  • Guatemala
  • Jordan
  • Lebanon (in English)
  • Malaysia (in English)
  • Netherlands (in English)
  • Norway (in English)
  • Paraguay
  • Philippines (in English)
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Singapore
  • Spain
  • Sweden


Timeline

New Applications Open date:
12 July 2023

New Application Deadline date:
30 September 2023

New Accelerator Begins date:
October 2023
(Please check exact dates with your
Global Compact Local Network)


Supported by:

Patrons:

Sponsor:

Delivered through the UN Global Compact Academy.

Resources

SDG Ambition

Ambition Guide: Setting Goals for the Decade of Action

This publication establishes the initial set of SDG Ambition Benchmarks that challenge organizations to set more ambitious goals and targets in the areas in which business is positioned to have a substantial impact. Business leaders can use this document to support their strategy and set goals ambitious enough to deliver the SDGs by 2030.

SDG Ambition

Integration Guide: Designing Business Systems for the SDGs

This publication presents the approach through which the ten SDG Ambition Benchmarks can be integrated into core business processes and systems to enable effective measurement & management of sustainability performance. Business leaders can use this publication to identify the system opportunities to integrate the SDGs into core business processes.

SDG Ambition

SDG Ambition Benchmark Reference Sheets

These documents provide illustrative details regarding the steps to integrate each of the SDG Ambition Benchmarks into a company’s business systems, as well as the key design decision required to engage technology partners.

SDG Ambition

SDG Ambition – Scaling Business Impact for the Decade of Action

This publication is an introduction to SDG Ambition — a new initiative of the UN Global Compact. By raising ambition, deepening integration, and embracing new technologies we believe business can become a leading actor in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With the launch of SDG Ambition, the UN Global Compact is proud to share its new SDG Implementation Framework, which aims to guide companies to deepen integration of the SDGs and Ten Principles into business strategy, operations, and stakeholder engagement.

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