Blog Post \u2013 SDG Innovation<\/title>\n <script src=\"https:\/\/cdn.tailwindcss.com\"><\/script>\n<\/head>\n<body class=\"bg-white text-gray-800 font-sans leading-relaxed\">\n\n <main class=\"max-w-3xl mx-auto px-4 py-12\">\n\n \n <h1 class=\"text-3xl md:text-4xl font-bold text-center mb-8\">\n Measuring your innovation\u2019s progress<br>\n towards the Sustainability Development Goals\n <\/h1>\n\n \n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n You have just received a new design brief. It sounds exciting. The scope is clear, the budget is decent, and it promises six months of engaging work. Yet something feels slightly off. You are left wondering whether this project is genuinely worth pursuing.\n <\/p>\n\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n This moment of doubt is familiar. I have felt it many times throughout my career as a product designer. Despite the growing importance of sustainability in innovation, I could never find a clear and accessible tool to quickly assess whether a project truly contributes to long-term positive impact.\n <\/p>\n\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n This short article introduces a simple method to evaluate your projects through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Whether you use it manually or with the support of artificial intelligence, the objective is the same: to make early-stage decisions with greater clarity and purpose.\n <\/p>\n\n <p class=\"mb-10\">\n This approach is designed to be lightweight, adaptable, and open to improvement over time. It is an invitation to collaborate, reflect, and take action.\n <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"text-sm font-semibold mb-4\">What Are the SDGs?<\/h3>\n\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n In 2015, the United Nations adopted the \n <a href=\"https:\/\/sdgs.un.org\/2030agenda\" class=\"text-blue-600 hover:underline\" target=\"_blank\">\n 2030 Agenda for sustainable development\n <\/a>. \n At the heart of this agenda are 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 associated targets. Together, they form a universal framework for action across economic, social, and environmental dimensions.\n <\/p>\n\n <\/main>\n\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"496\" src=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SDGs-Image-1024x496.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-255\" style=\"width:411px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SDGs-Image-1024x496.png 1024w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SDGs-Image-300x145.png 300w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SDGs-Image-768x372.png 768w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SDGs-Image.png 1124w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Figure 1: The 17 Sustainable Development Goals <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!DOCTYPE html>\n<html lang=\"en\">\n <main class=\"max-w-3xl mx-auto px-4 py-12\">\n \n<h3 class=\"text-sm font-semibold mb-4\">Introducing the SDG Assessment Tool<\/h3>\n\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n In project management, early go or no-go decisions are often supported by risk analysis. This methodology builds on that idea. It offers a structured way to assess both the <strong>benefits<\/strong> and <strong>risks<\/strong> of your innovation project in relation to the SDGs.\n <\/p>\n\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n This method works especially well for early-stage concepts. It is simple enough to use during ideation workshops, yet robust enough to inform strategic reviews across a portfolio.\n <\/p>\n\n <p class=\"mb-4\">The process follows five key steps:<\/p>\n\n <ol class=\"list-decimal list-inside mb-6 space-y-2\">\n <li>Review the project\u2019s scope and intention<\/li>\n <li>Evaluate its potential benefits against each SDG<\/li>\n <li>Assess any possible risks or negative consequences<\/li>\n <li>Consolidate the results into a scorecard<\/li>\n <li>Use the scorecard to inform decisions or compare projects<\/li>\n <\/ol>\n\n <p class=\"mb-10\">\n Let us look at each step more closely.\n <\/p>\n\n <\/main>\n\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\n <main class=\"max-w-3xl mx-auto px-4 py-12\">\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1288\" height=\"390\" src=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Process-HD.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Process-HD.png 1288w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Process-HD-300x91.png 300w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Process-HD-1024x310.png 1024w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Process-HD-768x233.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1288px) 100vw, 1288px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Figure 2: Project SDGs evaluation workflow<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<!DOCTYPE html>\n<html lang=\"en\">\n <main class=\"max-w-3xl mx-auto px-4 py-12\">\n \n<h3 class=\"text-sm font-semibold mb-4\">Step One: Evaluating Benefits Analysis<\/h3>\n\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n Start by considering how your project could create positive contributions to each SDG. You can do this manually or by using your favorite LLM to assist in identifying opportunities.\n <\/p>\n\n <\/main>\n\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\n\n\n\n<!DOCTYPE html>\n<html lang=\"en\">\n <main class=\"max-w-3xl mx-auto px-4 py-12\">\n\n<div class=\"overflow-x-auto mt-10\">\n <table class=\"min-w-full border border-gray-300 divide-y divide-gray-300\">\n <thead class=\"bg-gray-100\">\n <tr>\n <th class=\"px-4 py-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold text-gray-700 border-r border-gray-300\">\n SDG\n <\/th>\n <th class=\"px-4 py-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold text-gray-700 border-r border-gray-300\">\n SDG benefit score\n <\/th>\n <th class=\"px-4 py-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold text-gray-700\">\n Rationale\n <\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n <tbody class=\"bg-white text-sm\">\n <tr class=\"border-t border-gray-200\">\n <td class=\"px-4 py-4 align-top border-r border-gray-200\">\n List each SDG per row\n <\/td>\n <td class=\"px-4 py-4 border-r border-gray-200\">\n <div class=\"mb-1\">0 \u21d2 No Relevant Contribution<\/div>\n <div class=\"mb-1\">1 \u21d2 Minor Contribution<\/div>\n <div class=\"mb-1\">2 \u21d2 Moderate Contribution<\/div>\n <div>3 \u21d2 Strong Contribution<\/div>\n <\/td>\n <td class=\"px-4 py-4\">\n A short explanation of the scoring related to the potential benefit provided\n <\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <tr class=\"border-t border-gray-200 text-gray-400 italic\">\n <td class=\"px-4 py-3 border-r border-gray-200\">\u2026<\/td>\n <td class=\"px-4 py-3 border-r border-gray-200\">\u2026<\/td>\n <td class=\"px-4 py-3\">\u2026<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<!DOCTYPE html>\n<html lang=\"en\">\n <main class=\"max-w-3xl mx-auto px-4 py-12\">\n \n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n Provide a short explanation of how the project contributes to each goal. Be honest. You are not aiming for perfection, just transparency.\n <\/p>\n\n <\/main>\n\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1278\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Benefits-Graph-HD-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-291\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Benefits-Graph-HD-1.png 1278w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Benefits-Graph-HD-1-300x131.png 300w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Benefits-Graph-HD-1-1024x449.png 1024w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Benefits-Graph-HD-1-768x337.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1278px) 100vw, 1278px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Figure 3: LLM output of Paper Packaging Innovation SDGs Benefit Scoring <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!DOCTYPE html>\n<html lang=\"en\">\n <main class=\"max-w-3xl mx-auto px-4 py-12\">\n \n<h3 class=\"text-sm font-semibold mb-4\">Step Two: Assessing Risks\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n Next, explore whether the project may inadvertently create negative consequences for any of the SDGs. This could include environmental trade-offs, supply chain impacts, or equity concerns.\n <\/p>\n\n <\/main>\n\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\n\n\n\n<!DOCTYPE html>\n<html lang=\"en\">\n <main class=\"max-w-3xl mx-auto px-4 py-12\">\n \n <div class=\"overflow-x-auto mt-10\">\n <table class=\"min-w-full border border-gray-300 divide-y divide-gray-300\">\n <thead class=\"bg-gray-100\">\n <tr>\n <th class=\"px-4 py-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold text-gray-700 border-r border-gray-300\">\n SDG\n <\/th>\n <th class=\"px-4 py-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold text-gray-700 border-r border-gray-300\">\n SDG risk score\n <\/th>\n <th class=\"px-4 py-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold text-gray-700\">\n Rationale\n <\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n <tbody class=\"bg-white text-sm\">\n <tr class=\"border-t border-gray-200\">\n <td class=\"px-4 py-4 align-top border-r border-gray-200\">\n List each SDG per row\n <\/td>\n <td class=\"px-4 py-4 border-r border-gray-200\">\n <div class=\"mb-1\">0 \u21d2 No relevant risk<\/div>\n <div class=\"mb-1\">1 \u21d2 Minor<\/div>\n <div class=\"mb-1\">2 \u21d2 Moderate<\/div>\n <div>3 \u21d2 Strong<\/div>\n <\/td>\n <td class=\"px-4 py-4\">\n A short explanation of the scoring related to the risk identified\n <\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <tr class=\"border-t border-gray-200 text-gray-400 italic\">\n <td class=\"px-4 py-3 border-r border-gray-200\">\u2026<\/td>\n <td class=\"px-4 py-3 border-r border-gray-200\">\u2026<\/td>\n <td class=\"px-4 py-3\">\u2026<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n<!DOCTYPE html>\n<html lang=\"en\">\n <main class=\"max-w-3xl mx-auto px-4 py-12\">\n \n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n The aim is not to disqualify the project, but to surface potential blind spots before moving forward.\n <\/p>\n\n <\/main>\n\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1288\" height=\"562\" src=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Risk-Graph-HD.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-286\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Risk-Graph-HD.png 1288w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Risk-Graph-HD-300x131.png 300w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Risk-Graph-HD-1024x447.png 1024w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Risk-Graph-HD-768x335.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1288px) 100vw, 1288px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Figure 4: LLM output of Paper Packaging Innovation SDGs risk scoring <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!DOCTYPE html>\n<html lang=\"en\">\n <main class=\"max-w-3xl mx-auto px-4 py-12\">\n \n<h3 class=\"text-sm font-semibold mb-4\">Step Three: Building the Scorecard<\/h3>\n\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n Bring the benefit and risk scores together into a simple scorecard. This makes it easy to visualise the overall SDG alignment of the project at a glance.\n <\/p>\n <p class=\"mb-4\">Scorecards can include:<\/p>\n\n <ol class=\"list-decimal list-inside mb-6 space-y-2\">\n <li>A bar or radar chart comparing benefits and risks<\/li>\n <li>A summary of which SDGs are most impacted<\/li>\n <li>A coverage ratio showing how many SDGs are meaningfully addressed<\/li>\n <li>A brief section highlighting the top benefits and top risks<\/li>\n <\/ol>\n\n <\/main>\n\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1095\" height=\"619\" src=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Scorecard-HD-Background-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-285\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Scorecard-HD-Background-1.png 1095w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Scorecard-HD-Background-1-300x170.png 300w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Scorecard-HD-Background-1-1024x579.png 1024w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Scorecard-HD-Background-1-768x434.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1095px) 100vw, 1095px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Figure 5: Example of project SDGs score card <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!DOCTYPE html>\n<html lang=\"en\">\n <main class=\"max-w-3xl mx-auto px-4 py-12\">\n \n <h2 class=\"text-2xl font-semibold mb-4\">Why This Matters<\/h2>\n\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n Clients, investors, and end users are increasingly expecting innovation to align with a higher purpose. Being able to demonstrate how your project supports global sustainability targets is no longer a bonus, it is a competitive advantage.\n <\/p>\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n This method gives you a clear, fast, and collaborative way to evaluate that alignment. It helps you make better decisions, tell a stronger story, and build more meaningful solutions.\n <\/p>\n <h2 class=\"text-2xl font-semibold mb-4\">Let\u2019s Collaborate<\/h2>\n \n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n If you are working on a project and would like support in applying this methodology, I would be glad to help. Whether you are exploring a single idea or managing a large portfolio, we can work together to clarify the SDG alignment, uncover opportunities, and reduce risks.\n <\/p>\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n We also welcome feedback. If you have used this approach or a similar one and have suggestions for improvement, please get in touch.\n <\/p>\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n All the best,\n <\/p>\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n <strong>Savinien and Charlotte<\/strong>\n <\/p>\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"997\" src=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Authors-HD-Right-Background-scaled.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Authors-HD-Right-Background-scaled.png 2560w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Authors-HD-Right-Background-300x117.png 300w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Authors-HD-Right-Background-1024x399.png 1024w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Authors-HD-Right-Background-768x299.png 768w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Authors-HD-Right-Background-1536x598.png 1536w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Authors-HD-Right-Background-2048x798.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Blog Post \u2013 SDG Innovation Measuring your innovation\u2019s progress towards the Sustainability Development Goals You have just received a new design brief. It sounds exciting. The scope is clear, the budget is decent, and it promises six months of engaging work. Yet something feels slightly off. You are left wondering whether this project is genuinely […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-241","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","post"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/241","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=241"}],"version-history":[{"count":29,"href":"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/241\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":313,"href":"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/241\/revisions\/313"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

{"id":241,"date":"2025-07-24T09:48:29","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T09:48:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/?page_id=241"},"modified":"2025-08-06T15:21:13","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T15:21:13","slug":"241-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/index.php\/241-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Measuring your innovation\u2019s progress towards the Sustainability Development Goals"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n \n \n Blog Post \u2013 SDG Innovation<\/title>\n <script src=\"https:\/\/cdn.tailwindcss.com\"><\/script>\n<\/head>\n<body class=\"bg-white text-gray-800 font-sans leading-relaxed\">\n\n <main class=\"max-w-3xl mx-auto px-4 py-12\">\n\n \n <h1 class=\"text-3xl md:text-4xl font-bold text-center mb-8\">\n Measuring your innovation\u2019s progress<br>\n towards the Sustainability Development Goals\n <\/h1>\n\n \n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n You have just received a new design brief. It sounds exciting. The scope is clear, the budget is decent, and it promises six months of engaging work. Yet something feels slightly off. You are left wondering whether this project is genuinely worth pursuing.\n <\/p>\n\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n This moment of doubt is familiar. I have felt it many times throughout my career as a product designer. Despite the growing importance of sustainability in innovation, I could never find a clear and accessible tool to quickly assess whether a project truly contributes to long-term positive impact.\n <\/p>\n\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n This short article introduces a simple method to evaluate your projects through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Whether you use it manually or with the support of artificial intelligence, the objective is the same: to make early-stage decisions with greater clarity and purpose.\n <\/p>\n\n <p class=\"mb-10\">\n This approach is designed to be lightweight, adaptable, and open to improvement over time. It is an invitation to collaborate, reflect, and take action.\n <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"text-sm font-semibold mb-4\">What Are the SDGs?<\/h3>\n\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n In 2015, the United Nations adopted the \n <a href=\"https:\/\/sdgs.un.org\/2030agenda\" class=\"text-blue-600 hover:underline\" target=\"_blank\">\n 2030 Agenda for sustainable development\n <\/a>. \n At the heart of this agenda are 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 associated targets. Together, they form a universal framework for action across economic, social, and environmental dimensions.\n <\/p>\n\n <\/main>\n\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"496\" src=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SDGs-Image-1024x496.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-255\" style=\"width:411px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SDGs-Image-1024x496.png 1024w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SDGs-Image-300x145.png 300w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SDGs-Image-768x372.png 768w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SDGs-Image.png 1124w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Figure 1: The 17 Sustainable Development Goals <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!DOCTYPE html>\n<html lang=\"en\">\n <main class=\"max-w-3xl mx-auto px-4 py-12\">\n \n<h3 class=\"text-sm font-semibold mb-4\">Introducing the SDG Assessment Tool<\/h3>\n\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n In project management, early go or no-go decisions are often supported by risk analysis. This methodology builds on that idea. It offers a structured way to assess both the <strong>benefits<\/strong> and <strong>risks<\/strong> of your innovation project in relation to the SDGs.\n <\/p>\n\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n This method works especially well for early-stage concepts. It is simple enough to use during ideation workshops, yet robust enough to inform strategic reviews across a portfolio.\n <\/p>\n\n <p class=\"mb-4\">The process follows five key steps:<\/p>\n\n <ol class=\"list-decimal list-inside mb-6 space-y-2\">\n <li>Review the project\u2019s scope and intention<\/li>\n <li>Evaluate its potential benefits against each SDG<\/li>\n <li>Assess any possible risks or negative consequences<\/li>\n <li>Consolidate the results into a scorecard<\/li>\n <li>Use the scorecard to inform decisions or compare projects<\/li>\n <\/ol>\n\n <p class=\"mb-10\">\n Let us look at each step more closely.\n <\/p>\n\n <\/main>\n\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\n <main class=\"max-w-3xl mx-auto px-4 py-12\">\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1288\" height=\"390\" src=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Process-HD.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Process-HD.png 1288w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Process-HD-300x91.png 300w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Process-HD-1024x310.png 1024w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Process-HD-768x233.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1288px) 100vw, 1288px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Figure 2: Project SDGs evaluation workflow<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<!DOCTYPE html>\n<html lang=\"en\">\n <main class=\"max-w-3xl mx-auto px-4 py-12\">\n \n<h3 class=\"text-sm font-semibold mb-4\">Step One: Evaluating Benefits Analysis<\/h3>\n\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n Start by considering how your project could create positive contributions to each SDG. You can do this manually or by using your favorite LLM to assist in identifying opportunities.\n <\/p>\n\n <\/main>\n\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\n\n\n\n<!DOCTYPE html>\n<html lang=\"en\">\n <main class=\"max-w-3xl mx-auto px-4 py-12\">\n\n<div class=\"overflow-x-auto mt-10\">\n <table class=\"min-w-full border border-gray-300 divide-y divide-gray-300\">\n <thead class=\"bg-gray-100\">\n <tr>\n <th class=\"px-4 py-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold text-gray-700 border-r border-gray-300\">\n SDG\n <\/th>\n <th class=\"px-4 py-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold text-gray-700 border-r border-gray-300\">\n SDG benefit score\n <\/th>\n <th class=\"px-4 py-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold text-gray-700\">\n Rationale\n <\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n <tbody class=\"bg-white text-sm\">\n <tr class=\"border-t border-gray-200\">\n <td class=\"px-4 py-4 align-top border-r border-gray-200\">\n List each SDG per row\n <\/td>\n <td class=\"px-4 py-4 border-r border-gray-200\">\n <div class=\"mb-1\">0 \u21d2 No Relevant Contribution<\/div>\n <div class=\"mb-1\">1 \u21d2 Minor Contribution<\/div>\n <div class=\"mb-1\">2 \u21d2 Moderate Contribution<\/div>\n <div>3 \u21d2 Strong Contribution<\/div>\n <\/td>\n <td class=\"px-4 py-4\">\n A short explanation of the scoring related to the potential benefit provided\n <\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <tr class=\"border-t border-gray-200 text-gray-400 italic\">\n <td class=\"px-4 py-3 border-r border-gray-200\">\u2026<\/td>\n <td class=\"px-4 py-3 border-r border-gray-200\">\u2026<\/td>\n <td class=\"px-4 py-3\">\u2026<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<!DOCTYPE html>\n<html lang=\"en\">\n <main class=\"max-w-3xl mx-auto px-4 py-12\">\n \n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n Provide a short explanation of how the project contributes to each goal. Be honest. You are not aiming for perfection, just transparency.\n <\/p>\n\n <\/main>\n\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1278\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Benefits-Graph-HD-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-291\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Benefits-Graph-HD-1.png 1278w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Benefits-Graph-HD-1-300x131.png 300w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Benefits-Graph-HD-1-1024x449.png 1024w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Benefits-Graph-HD-1-768x337.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1278px) 100vw, 1278px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Figure 3: LLM output of Paper Packaging Innovation SDGs Benefit Scoring <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!DOCTYPE html>\n<html lang=\"en\">\n <main class=\"max-w-3xl mx-auto px-4 py-12\">\n \n<h3 class=\"text-sm font-semibold mb-4\">Step Two: Assessing Risks\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n Next, explore whether the project may inadvertently create negative consequences for any of the SDGs. This could include environmental trade-offs, supply chain impacts, or equity concerns.\n <\/p>\n\n <\/main>\n\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\n\n\n\n<!DOCTYPE html>\n<html lang=\"en\">\n <main class=\"max-w-3xl mx-auto px-4 py-12\">\n \n <div class=\"overflow-x-auto mt-10\">\n <table class=\"min-w-full border border-gray-300 divide-y divide-gray-300\">\n <thead class=\"bg-gray-100\">\n <tr>\n <th class=\"px-4 py-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold text-gray-700 border-r border-gray-300\">\n SDG\n <\/th>\n <th class=\"px-4 py-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold text-gray-700 border-r border-gray-300\">\n SDG risk score\n <\/th>\n <th class=\"px-4 py-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold text-gray-700\">\n Rationale\n <\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n <tbody class=\"bg-white text-sm\">\n <tr class=\"border-t border-gray-200\">\n <td class=\"px-4 py-4 align-top border-r border-gray-200\">\n List each SDG per row\n <\/td>\n <td class=\"px-4 py-4 border-r border-gray-200\">\n <div class=\"mb-1\">0 \u21d2 No relevant risk<\/div>\n <div class=\"mb-1\">1 \u21d2 Minor<\/div>\n <div class=\"mb-1\">2 \u21d2 Moderate<\/div>\n <div>3 \u21d2 Strong<\/div>\n <\/td>\n <td class=\"px-4 py-4\">\n A short explanation of the scoring related to the risk identified\n <\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <tr class=\"border-t border-gray-200 text-gray-400 italic\">\n <td class=\"px-4 py-3 border-r border-gray-200\">\u2026<\/td>\n <td class=\"px-4 py-3 border-r border-gray-200\">\u2026<\/td>\n <td class=\"px-4 py-3\">\u2026<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n<!DOCTYPE html>\n<html lang=\"en\">\n <main class=\"max-w-3xl mx-auto px-4 py-12\">\n \n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n The aim is not to disqualify the project, but to surface potential blind spots before moving forward.\n <\/p>\n\n <\/main>\n\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1288\" height=\"562\" src=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Risk-Graph-HD.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-286\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Risk-Graph-HD.png 1288w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Risk-Graph-HD-300x131.png 300w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Risk-Graph-HD-1024x447.png 1024w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Risk-Graph-HD-768x335.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1288px) 100vw, 1288px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Figure 4: LLM output of Paper Packaging Innovation SDGs risk scoring <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!DOCTYPE html>\n<html lang=\"en\">\n <main class=\"max-w-3xl mx-auto px-4 py-12\">\n \n<h3 class=\"text-sm font-semibold mb-4\">Step Three: Building the Scorecard<\/h3>\n\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n Bring the benefit and risk scores together into a simple scorecard. This makes it easy to visualise the overall SDG alignment of the project at a glance.\n <\/p>\n <p class=\"mb-4\">Scorecards can include:<\/p>\n\n <ol class=\"list-decimal list-inside mb-6 space-y-2\">\n <li>A bar or radar chart comparing benefits and risks<\/li>\n <li>A summary of which SDGs are most impacted<\/li>\n <li>A coverage ratio showing how many SDGs are meaningfully addressed<\/li>\n <li>A brief section highlighting the top benefits and top risks<\/li>\n <\/ol>\n\n <\/main>\n\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1095\" height=\"619\" src=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Scorecard-HD-Background-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-285\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Scorecard-HD-Background-1.png 1095w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Scorecard-HD-Background-1-300x170.png 300w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Scorecard-HD-Background-1-1024x579.png 1024w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Scorecard-HD-Background-1-768x434.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1095px) 100vw, 1095px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Figure 5: Example of project SDGs score card <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!DOCTYPE html>\n<html lang=\"en\">\n <main class=\"max-w-3xl mx-auto px-4 py-12\">\n \n <h2 class=\"text-2xl font-semibold mb-4\">Why This Matters<\/h2>\n\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n Clients, investors, and end users are increasingly expecting innovation to align with a higher purpose. Being able to demonstrate how your project supports global sustainability targets is no longer a bonus, it is a competitive advantage.\n <\/p>\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n This method gives you a clear, fast, and collaborative way to evaluate that alignment. It helps you make better decisions, tell a stronger story, and build more meaningful solutions.\n <\/p>\n <h2 class=\"text-2xl font-semibold mb-4\">Let\u2019s Collaborate<\/h2>\n \n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n If you are working on a project and would like support in applying this methodology, I would be glad to help. Whether you are exploring a single idea or managing a large portfolio, we can work together to clarify the SDG alignment, uncover opportunities, and reduce risks.\n <\/p>\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n We also welcome feedback. If you have used this approach or a similar one and have suggestions for improvement, please get in touch.\n <\/p>\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n All the best,\n <\/p>\n <p class=\"mb-6\">\n <strong>Savinien and Charlotte<\/strong>\n <\/p>\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"997\" src=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Authors-HD-Right-Background-scaled.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Authors-HD-Right-Background-scaled.png 2560w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Authors-HD-Right-Background-300x117.png 300w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Authors-HD-Right-Background-1024x399.png 1024w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Authors-HD-Right-Background-768x299.png 768w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Authors-HD-Right-Background-1536x598.png 1536w, https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Authors-HD-Right-Background-2048x798.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Blog Post \u2013 SDG Innovation Measuring your innovation\u2019s progress towards the Sustainability Development Goals You have just received a new design brief. It sounds exciting. The scope is clear, the budget is decent, and it promises six months of engaging work. Yet something feels slightly off. You are left wondering whether this project is genuinely […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-241","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","post"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/241","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=241"}],"version-history":[{"count":29,"href":"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/241\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":313,"href":"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/241\/revisions\/313"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprogress.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}