SDG Implementation

Course Overview

Course Description

The training course on managing the business impact on SDGs and implementing change with GRI Standard 2021 will cover the relationship between reporting and managing business impacts, with an emphasis on incorporating impact management approaches into the strategy and operations of the company. Reporting on sustainability impacts, including the impact of business operations on the SDGs, is an important aspect of sustainability reporting. However, reporting alone is not enough to drive meaningful change. To effectively manage the impact of business operations on the SDGs, companies must integrate impact management approaches into their overall strategy and operations.

During the training course, participants will learn the importance of integrating impact management into their company's strategy and operations. They will learn about the role of senior leadership in driving change and the importance of engaging stakeholders and developing partnerships to achieve the SDGs.

Participants will also learn about best practices for impact management, including identifying and assessing the impact of business operations on the SDGs, developing strategies for reducing negative impacts and enhancing positive impacts, and measuring progress towards SDG alignment using key performance indicators. The SDG Implementation and Managing Impacts course is structured into two modules. Module one is centred on effectively utilising the GRI Standards to report on an organisation’s contributions towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On the other hand, module two delves into the critical aspects of managing impacts and implementing necessary changes to align with the SDGs.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the training course, participants should be able to:

• Analyse and identify the impact of their business operations on the SDGs.

• Apply the GRI Standards to report on their company's impact on the SDGs and identify areas for improvement.

• Develop a strategy for integrating the SDGs into their business operations and decision-making processes.

• Develop a strategy for managing and implementing change within their organisation.

• Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure progress towards SDG alignment and report on these indicators using the GRI Standards.

This course is ideal for:

Sustainability and CSR Professionals: Professionals in sustainability, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and sustainability reporting roles seeking to lead their organisations in implementing SDGs effectively and managing their sustainability impacts.

Business Leaders and Managers: Executives and managers across industries dedicated to aligning their organisations with the SDGs, integrating sustainability into their business strategies, and driving positive societal and environmental impacts.

Government Officials and Policy Makers: Public servants and policy makers responsible for crafting policies and regulations that support SDG implementation and impact management, ensuring they are aligned with global sustainability goals.

NGO and Nonprofit Leaders: Leaders of nonprofit organisations eager to strengthen their ability to design, implement, and measure the outcomes of programs that contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.

Sustainability Consultants and Advisors: Consultants and advisors working with organisations on SDG-related initiatives, looking to deepen their expertise and provide valuable guidance.

Students and Aspiring Professionals: Students and early-career professionals interested in pursuing careers in sustainability, international development, or policy advocacy, seeking a solid foundation in SDG implementation and impact measurement.

Educators and Trainers: Teachers, trainers, and educators aiming to incorporate SDG-related content into their curricula and training programs, equipping students and participants to drive sustainable change.

Global Citizens and Activists: Concerned citizens committed to understanding the SDGs and taking action in their communities, workplaces, and personal lives to advance sustainable development.

Course Structure and Content

Module 1: How to use the GRI Standards to report on your contributions to the SDGs

This module is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of how to use the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards approach to determine and report on material topics contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The module will cover the following topics:

• Understanding an organisation's context.

• Why engage with relevant stakeholders and experts?

• Identifying impacts.

• Access the significance of impacts.

• Prioritising the most significant ones for reporting.

Learning Outcome

• Participants will gain insight into the importance of understanding their organisation's context in the context of the SDGs.

• Participants will understand the significance of engaging with relevant stakeholders and experts to identify and assess the impact of SDGs that are most relevant to their organisation's activities and stakeholders' expectations.

• Participants will learn how to identify the impacts of their organisation's activities on the SDGs.

• Participants will learn how to assess the significance of the impacts they have identified. This involves evaluating the severity of each impact on the SDGs.

• Participants will gain skills in prioritising the most significant SDGs for reporting based on their materiality to the organization's activities and stakeholders' interests.

Module 2: Managing Impacts and Implementing Change

The Managing Impacts and Implementing Change module is designed to help participants develop an understanding of how to manage and report on the impacts of their organisation on sustainability issues, with a particular focus on the SDGs. It will further focus on showing participants how to integrate SDG impact management into their organisation's strategy and operations to ensure long-term sustainability and contribute to SDG attainment.

The module will cover topics on:

• The setting of business objectives based on the sustainability context.

• Collecting the relevant data and defining indicators.

• Integrating findings into the business strategy and evaluating progress.

• Reporting on the management of impacts.

• GRI 3: Material Topics and the SDGs.

• GRI 2: General Disclosure and the SDGs.

• Governance over sustainability reporting.

Learning Outcomes

• Participants will learn about major components that should be considered in setting business objectives within the sustainability context, including the SDGs.

• Participants will gain skills in collecting relevant data related to sustainability impacts and defining appropriate indicators to measure progress.

• Participants will learn how to integrate the findings from impact assessments into their organisation's business strategy. They will explore ways to align their operations with sustainability goals to drive positive impacts.

• They will learn some of the few measures by which an organisation can monitor and evaluate its strategies toward its SDG impact and sustainability progress.

• Participants will learn how to effectively communicate their organisation's efforts in managing sustainability impacts.

• Participants will gain knowledge of the GRI Standards' Material Topics and their relationship with the SDGs. They will learn how to prioritise and report on material issues relevant to the SDGs.

• Participants will understand the role and significance of strong governance structures for managing impact and sustainability reporting.