Government and accountants must show pandemic-level ‘agility’ to achieve sustainability goals

There is no better time to remind the UK government of the vital role they play in meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), says Bruce Cartwright, the chief executive of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS). 

On September 18, 11 accountancy and finance bodies sent an open letter encouraging the UK government – in attendance at the UN global summit – to implement significant measures to guarantee the attainment of the 17 SDG’s by 2030. 

The bodies included organisations such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), ICAS, and the Association of International Accountants (AIA). The letter pressed the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for immediate measures to get the UK back on course. 

“We encourage all operators to play a part and choose future paths that are aligned to the SDGs to deliver a better world for all,” Cartwright told Accountancy Age. “As a society we had the agility to adjust to COVID and we must apply the same agility to sustainability matters, and now with more urgency than ever before.”    

The open letter also called upon Claire Coutinho, the UK’s new secretary of state for energy, security and net zero, to assist with international financing and action for all countries in need.  

“We stand ready and willing to use our collective skills and knowledge in organisational governance, strategy, risk management and performance to support the British and other governments in implementing the changes needed to drive progress,” the letter stated 

UK set to only make 17% of Sustainability targets 

The UN SDG Progress Report, released in April 2023, indicates global progress towards achieving the SDG targets by 2030 is projected to reach only 12%. 

Moreover, a report by UN Global Compact Network, indicated the UK is set to meet only 17% of these targets. Michael Izza, ICAEW chief executive has described this as a “crisis in the making for people and the planet, but also for our economies and global financial ecosystems.”  

“We know first-hand the costs of inaction to the businesses and organisations we lead and advise, so we urge the government to take steps to put us back on track,” he says. “We are ready to use our skills and expertise to help reshape business practices and implement the changes needed to drive progress.” 

With progress stalling because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the UN aims to change the current trajectory of its 17 SDGs at its 2023 summit.   

ICAS’s Cartwright believes the SDGs arguably provides the best blueprint for each government to embrace and advocate for universal prosperity while safeguarding the planet.  

“This matters for the sustainability of life as we know it, as well as the stability of business.”