The report offers guidance in promoting best practices in corporate reporting to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs). The report aims to encourage corporate accountability and governance aligned with SDGs across all organisations, from small and medium-sized enterprises to governments and investors. Here, we present key concepts, principles and recommendations for sustainable development and focus on the key issues discussed in the report.

Fundamental concepts and principles of SDG disclosure

The report recommends that all SDG disclosures should have reference to fundamental concepts and principles as follows:

• The fundamental concept of “long-term value creation for the organisation and society” defined by International Integrated Reporting (IR) Framework should guide SDG disclosures.
• Disclosures concerning the environment, society, or governance impacts should satisfy the principle of completeness.
• Disclosures should be balanced, clear, and concise.

Fundamental concepts of SDG disclosure

• The report outlines the fundamental concepts underpinning the SDGs as follows:
• Identify sustainable development opportunities and risks
• Use of available resources (including the capitals)
• Value creation processes throughout the organisation

Principles of SDG disclosure

The report sets out four essential principles of SDG disclosure, as follows:

• Applicability: according to the reporting frameworks or standards used.
• Strategic focus and future orientation: reflecting the integration of sustainable development issues into strategies.
• Stakeholder inclusiveness: reflecting the organization’s response to significant affected groups, including communities.
• Conciseness: clear and understandable disclosures that do not obscure relevant information.

Steps to guide SDG implementation

The report recommends a five-step implementation process that organizations can use to identify the material and significant sustainable development issues that influence long-term value creation for organizations and society. These steps include:

• Develop a record of and monitor sustainable development issues impacting organisation value and governance.
• Identify and report SCTs
• Determine the impact of SCTs
• Identify wider issues; and
• Prepare the annual report

Enhancing the credibility of SDG disclosures

The report requires that all SDG disclosures satisfy the principle of completeness, and specific disclosures related to climate change, as per the TCFD recommendations, should adopt its recommendations. SDGD recommends that stakeholders should be identified and engaged in discussions on sustainability issues. The report further suggests that organizations should do scenario analysis and consider long-term value creation in their integrated reporting.

Overall, the SDGD Recommendations report offers a helpful guide for organizations, investors, and governments. The report stresses that all sustainable development issues impacting organisations should be monitored and addressed to achieve sustainable long-term goals. The report suggests that accurate and comprehensive reporting of achievement on sustainable development is vital for organisations that use reporting frameworks and standards. It provides a comprehensive set of recommendations and principles that organisations should follow while integrating SDGs into their strategies.