Back in 2015, the UK Government (along with other countries around the world) committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These 17 goals set out a holistic framework to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, combat catastrophic climate change, and protect our natural environment by 2030.
Last year, seven years on from the government making that commitment and with only another seven years to go until 2030, UN Global Compact Network UK (UNGC UK) conducted a review to assess how the UK is performing against the SDGs.
The SDGs provide a powerful aspiration for improving our world – laying out where we collectively need to go and how to get there. The 17 SDGs (underpinned by 169 targets)
cover all aspects of ESG ranging from affordable and clean energy to gender equality to responsible consumption and production. They are also global in nature, so include necessarily ambitious goals such as no poverty, clean water and sanitation and access to justice for all.
“The report identified significant short comings in the UK’s performance against the SDGs."
The findings
The Measuring Up 2.0 report identified significant short comings in the UK’s performance against the SDGs if the 2030 target is to be met. By way of example, one of the SDG goal 2 targets is to end hunger and ensure that people have access to safe and nutritious food all year round. However, the number of emergency food parcels delivered by the Trussell Trust has continually increased, up to 2.1 million in 2021/22 – something which will no doubt continue to be impacted by the cost of living crisis.
The report suggests that systemic changes are required to achieve the improvements necessary to meet health and environment targets and calls for the government to have regard to the SDGs in policy making decisions.
The role of business
Business organisations are encouraged not to be daunted by the scale and scope of the SDGs. The key message is that responsible business and investment are imperative to achieving the 2030 ambitions, so all companies can play a role however big or small.
Participants of UNGC UK - of which Shoosmiths is one - commit to supporting the SDGs by implementing responsible business practices, assessing their impact against the SDGs and annually disclosing their progress via a digital platform. In return, UNGC provide tools, resources and training to aid this transformation.
The report may be a useful point of reference for businesses in that it includes nearly 50 case studies as examples of good practice for meeting the SDGs.
Shoosmiths’ approach
Shoosmiths shared some of the initiatives it has implemented to support staff impacted by the menopause – something which aligns to SDG3 (Good health and wellbeing) and SDG5 (Gender equality).
Traditionally there has been very little support of menopause in the workplace in the UK, but that is changing with celebrities such as Davina McCall and Carolyn Harris MP bringing this to the fore in recent years. Shoosmiths is committed to supporting the significant number of its employees who will at some point be impacted by the menopause.
Menopause support, alongside fertility and pregnancy loss policies, are now integrated into a reproductive health care programme at the firm.
Through a dedicated menopause resource page on the firm’s intranet, Shoosmiths shares written pieces from colleagues and the Senior Leadership Team about how menopause has affected them, signposts to external support resources, and promotes guidance for line managers on supporting colleagues. Colleagues are also able to seek expert 1-1 support through the firm’s Employee Assistance Programme, and a menopause Healthline from the firm’s private medical insurers.
In addition to a publishing thought leadership articles, the firm has hosted a number of webinars and a roundtable event either with colleagues, a health and wellbeing expert, or in conjunction with Macmillan Davies, to discuss menopause symptoms and treatments, share practical tips, and engage HR professionals on menopause in the workplace. Since the publishing of the report, Shoosmiths is partnering with Menopause in the Workplace to expand its training offering for colleagues and managers.
To find out more about the SDGs visit UNGC UK’s website here and you can read or download the Measuring Up 2.0 report here. To find out more about Shoosmiths’ approach to addressing the SDGs you can read our 2022 ESG Report here.
“All companies can play a role however big or small.”
Author
Nicola Ellen, Head of Corporate Responsibility - Shoosmiths
Disclaimer
This information is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is recommended that specific professional advice is sought before acting on any of the information given. Please contact us for specific advice on your circumstances. © Shoosmiths LLP 2025.