SDGs Progress Report 2023 : Survey Results on the Initiatives of GCNJ Business and Non-Business Participants

This report includes an analysis of the level of awareness of the SDGs, as well as the progress made in addressing the five SDG Goals (thematic themes) that the UN Global Compact focuses on: Goals 5 (gender equality), 8 (work and human rights), 13 (climate change) and 16 (anti-corruption), and Goal 12 (sustainable consumption and production), which Japanese companies are expected to accelerate their efforts in. The report includes analysis and insights by experts in each field on the progress of initiatives for the Goals (thematic themes). The survey also includes analysis and observations by experts from various fields on the progress of the SDGs initiatives, including the integration of the SDGs into management and the challenges involved in implementation. Awareness and penetration of the SDGs Companies between 10 and 249 employees have a commitment to the SDGs, however, this has not yet been translated into concrete action. Companies between 250 and 4,999 employees face challenges in setting KPIs, disclosing quantitative targets and results, and linking them to executive remuneration, which are elements to raise the effectiveness of their initiatives. Companies of over 5,000 employees also face the issue of linking this to executive remuneration. Summary Although progress has been made in various aspects since the previous survey in 2021, the experts' assessment of the five goals is unanimous: "It is still insufficient as a level of corporate action required to achieve the SDGs". One concrete means of acceleration could be participation in national and international initiatives. Progress in respect for human rights by signatories to the UN Global Compact, the world's largest sustainability initiative, was more advanced compared to the results of a government survey of companies listed on the First and Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, among others. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in efforts with regard to gender equality and Net Zero depending on whether or not the company had signed the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Contents (excerpt ) International and National Trends of the SDGs SDGs Survey Result and Interpretation Awareness and Penetration of the SDGs Gender Equality Decent work and Human Rights Circular Economy Climate Change Preventing Corruption Common Challenges for the Five Goals Relevant Data on the SDGs Survey