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Despite efforts, many U.K. businesses are not on track to meet the United Nation's Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) by their 2030 deadline, finds a new report involving researchers from UCL.

The , "Trailblazers & Transformers: UK Business Sectors Redefining Sustainability," developed in collaboration with UN Global Compact UK, found that while U.K. businesses across the six assessed sectors of the economy have invested financial resources into the goals, in many cases this has not led to the improvements required to realistically meet the SDGs.

With the agenda's deadline just five years away, the report emphasized the need for businesses to make significant progress to meet the goals. In addition, the report highlights how sustainability efforts will not just benefit the environment but extend benefits to individual businesses and the overall British economy.

The Sustainable Development Goals are 17 global objectives that seek to promote peace, prosperity and environmental protection around the world. Goals range from eliminating poverty and hunger to achieving gender equality and quality of education around the world.

Professor Gail Taylor, Chair of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network UK and (UCL Faculty of Life Sciences) said, "By partnering with UN Global Compact UK, we're combining academic insight with business leadership to accelerate progress on the most pressing challenges facing society. Together, we aim to deliver impact that is greater than the sum of our parts."

Findings

The report analyzed six major economic sectors in the U.K.—Consumer Staples, Energy and Utilities, Consumer Discretionary, Industrials, Financials, and Technology and Telecommunications—and examined where leadership is emerging, where momentum is building, and where barriers remain within the context of the SDGs.

Consumer Staples is the only sector deemed a current "Trailblazer," indicating that many U.K. companies are effectively producing, packaging and promoting their products in a sustainable way. However, the report also notes that only a small sample was assessed as part of this report.

Financials are regarded as the most influential sector, and while they are overall excelling in industry, innovation and infrastructure, they are reported as significantly lacking in areas such as investing in clean water and sanitation and responsible consumption and production. The report calls for a bridge between commitments and measurable impact.

Energy and Utilities are leading in decarbonization but are found to be lacking in addressing key environmental and societal issues. The report argues that there needs to be a stronger outcome of policies that enhance social equity. Affordability, pricing, and investing in programs that reduce inequalities must also be further considered.

Consumer Discretionary is described as showing a mixed picture. Many companies analyzed are effectively investing in energy efficiency, but there is a distinct gap in commitment to alleviating poverty and improving working conditions. The report highlights that zero-hour contracts in the U.K. have constrained progress in these areas.

Industrials are described as making moderate progress. A lack of gender equality in industries such as construction is emphasized, while emerging initiatives to promote responsible land use are seen as positive progression. The report urges more transparency in climate disclosure and decarbonization efforts.

Last, Technology and Telecommunications is marked as the most underperforming of all six sectors assessed. Environmental and human rights concerns are especially highlighted. The report describes the sector as lagging in "embedding sustainability at scale." However, as this sector is regarded as a driver in digital transformation and green innovation, huge opportunities for progress and improvement are also recognized.

The report concludes that the need for improvements across all the sectors is "undeniable." Substantial environmental improvements are lacking and that urgent focus was needed on a range of issues including pollution, biodiversity loss, greenhouse gas emissions, equity and human rights.

Steve Kenzie, Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network UK, said, "This report provides a vital snapshot of where U.K. industries stand on sustainability and where they need to go. It's a call to action for business leaders, policymakers, and investors to align strategy, governance, and incentives with the urgent demands of our time."