Sustainability: A Reflection of the SDGs in Our Current Business Context

by Amber McCully

Society is moving towards an economic future where investors are looking for sustainable practices within organisational culture that meet the requirements of the triple bottom line. Thus, companies are increasingly looking for inspiration from sources such as the SDGs towards aligning their purpose and profit to meet these needs. Therefore, sustainability is achievable for businesses, however the difficult aspect is prioritising societal goals whilst still attempting to maximise profits.

Consequently, it can be argued that in some circumstances, integrating the social, economic and profit goals of a business is more effective than having separate goals in achieving sustainability. Examining the Australian company, Social Enterprise Finance Australia (Sefa), demonstrates the alignment of purpose and profit. Sefa offers a range of lending services to “purpose driven organisations,” showing they embody the “promotion of decent work and economic growth”. They even state “We walk beside you on your path to becoming a sustainable organisation,” in their company values. Their current “partnerships for the goals” mirror the SDGs, proving their directional influence on this business. Sefa contributes to community employment and training services, healthy food access, environmental support, Indigenous development, disability support and affordable housing. They have achieved this through working with organisations such as WWF Australia, LMCF (for building affordable housing), the Aboriginal Land Council NSW and the NSW Council of Social Service.

Therefore, the SDGs are clearly reflected in Sefa, as they have wholly integrated the concept of sustainability into their company ethos. A consideration for Sefa may be to extend some of their partnerships to contribute to global sustainability as well as local Australian sustainability. This is because international investors may find it more relevant to their personal situation which would increase economic profits and may result in other financing companies to integrate the SDG values as thoroughly as they have.