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Australia’s inaugural SDG Flag Day: A celebration of progress towards greener, more inclusive economies and stronger nation
Emilia Maubach | September 25, 2024
25 September 2024
Australia will, for the first time, join the global movement dedicated to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by commemorating SDG Flag Day. On 25th September, iconic Australian landmarks such as Melbourne Town Hall, the Old Parliament House, the Treasury Building in Canberra, and Questacon will illuminate the SDG colours, while flags symbolising the SDGs will be raised nationwide. The event is a powerful reminder of the collective ambition to secure a sustainable future for all Australians.
The SDGs represent a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that by 2030, all people enjoy peace and prosperity. SDG Flag Day marks Australia’s commitment to these goals, celebrating its achievements while acknowledging the work that remains to achieve substantial progress.
The Sustainable Development Report shows that Australia holds an SDG Index Rank of 37 out of 166 countries, with an index score of 76.9. This ranking illustrates that Australia is on track to achieve approximately 51% of the SDG targets by 2030. The ranking system benchmarks Australia’s performance against other nations, highlighting both commendable strides and areas in need of continued effort.
Kate Dundas, Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact Network Australia says Australia is now recognised for the role in the global sustainability effort: “Australia is aligning with global best practices to help protect biodiversity and natural habitats, and harness the power of the wind, waves and sun, we are introducing new global standards on the climate reporting set to transform how Australian businesses understand, manage, and transparently disclose climate risk, and we are working to improve labour rights within regional supply chains.”
Dundas added: “However, we are past the halfway mark to the SDG deadline, and we’re not half done. We face many significant challenges including a complex energy transition, transitioning an economy historically reliant on fossil fuels and reducing our per capita material footprint, currently one of the highest in the world. There is a significant job ahead, and the business community has a critical role in helping navigate these challenges and driving sustainable progress.”
UN Global Compact Network Australia urges Australians to use SDG Flag Day as an opportunity to educate themselves about the Sustainable Development Goals and their importance in fostering a more prosperous, equitable and greener Australia. Businesses are encouraged to display the SDG flags at their premises and engage their staff in conversations about their contributions to sustainability.
The UN Global Compact Network Australia oversees the global Forward Faster initiative locally, designed to help companies accelerate their efforts towards five key areas aligned with the SDG goals: climate action, finance and investment, gender equality, living wage and water resilience. Over 25 Australian companies are currently participating, which means thousands of employees are learning about these key areas and how to integrate them into their company’s policies and operations.
About UN Global Compact Network Australia
As a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, the United Nations (UN) Global Compact is a call to companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with ten universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and to take action in support of UN goals. With more than 20,000 companies, 5 Regional Hubs, 62 Local Networks covering 67 countries, and 15 Country Managers establishing Networks in 34 other countries, the UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative.
In Australia, UN Global Compact Network Australia (UNGCNA) brings together Australian participants of the UN Global Compact, including over 75 listed companies, other businesses, non-profits and universities, to advance the private sector’s contribution to sustainable development. We connect, enable and lead businesses and stakeholders to create a sustainable future by supporting businesses to act responsibly and helping them find opportunities to drive positive business outcomes.
https://unglobalcompact.org.au/
article by
Emilia Maubach
Emilia is a trusted advisor, communicator, and event manager. She is an experienced marketing and communications professional with specialised expertise in event management, and a background as a qualified lawyer. Previously, Emilia worked in the legal sector for 10 years, including in private practice, not-for-profit and legal aid. She has extensive experience in project management and relationship management. She has also worked at major events including the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Emilia is passionate about creating experiences, elevating voices, and sharing stories through clear communication.
