Sustainable Development

Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals

In the Face of Headwinds, Look to Partnerships

In the nonprofit sector, the phrase “stronger together” has never been more relevant. As organizations face mounting challenges—from funding cuts to political uncertainty—there can be a tendency to turn inward. However, for purpose-driven organizations to thrive in the face of adversity, it will be essential for them to leverage this season of change as an opportunity to build and strengthen effective partnerships, thereby maximizing their impact.
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EU Anti-Greenwashing Law is Developing Fast: Credible Sustainability Systems Can Maximise its Potential

The EU Green Claims Directive (GCD) will outlaw false environmental claims, regulating consumer trust, truthful business and meaningful sustainability action. Credible sustainability systems will be vital in corporate adaptation to the GCD. Influencing companies’ claims work, they can create positive impacts for people and planet. In Part Two of ISEAL’s credibility series, Vidya Rangan, Policy and Engagement Director and Patrick Mallet, ISEAL’s Innovations Director, reveal why credible claims are so vital.
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Josh Wheeler - Changing the Climate Conversation

Changing the Climate Conversation with Josh Wheeler

In this episode, we welcome Social Impact Pioneer Josh Wheeler — founder of Be Broadcast, award-winning broadcast PR strategist, and one of the UK’s leading voices on reshaping how we talk about climate change and how to move the conversation from climate fear, stalling and inaction, to something everyone can take positive action on.
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child labour in palm oil sector

Reducing Child Labour in Palm Oil: A Model for Business-NGO Collaboration

A pioneering partnership between Planting Naturals, APT Action on Poverty, and MAPCO has reduced child labour by 70% in Sierra Leone’s palm oil sector. By combining ethical sourcing, community-led development, and inclusive finance, this collaboration shows how businesses and NGOs can drive sustainable change through shared responsibility and grassroots engagement.
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sustainable development and ESG

Why We Must Bring “Development” Back into Sustainability Conversation More Than Ever

As ESG faces backlash, it’s time to reconnect sustainability with human development. Lourdes Montenegro of the World Benchmarking Alliance argues that companies must align sustainability with real-world progress—like livelihoods, safety, and resilience. Using data from the updated SDG2000 list, she calls for reframing ESG as a tool for inclusive development, not just environmental performance.
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Trust, Transparency and Impact: How Credibility Offers Vital Solutions to the World’s Most Pressing Problems

Credibility is the key to unlocking crucial sustainability impacts. Embedding trust and confidence, credible sustainability systems help governments and businesses address today’s most urgent challenges. Patrick Mallet, ISEAL’s Innovations Director, explains what credibility is and why it’s so important.
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Women in Cotton

Our Path to Sustainability Must Include Women: Lessons from Cotton Farming and Climate Resilience

Women play a vital yet often overlooked role in agriculture and climate resilience. CottonConnect CEO Alison Ward highlights how women cotton farmers are disproportionately impacted by climate change—and why they must be central to sustainability strategies. Through education, training, and recognition, women can lead transformative climate action from the ground up.
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corporate culture of social impact - Large group of business people preparing for a race on a starting line in the office

Creating a Culture of Impact: How Thinking Like A Pro Athlete Can Help Businesses Drive Meaningful Change

How can businesses build cultures that deliver meaningful social impact? Nick Cooney argues that companies should take inspiration from elite athletes—adopting a performance-driven mindset to “train” their impact strategies. By embracing discipline, pushing beyond comfort zones, and prioritising purpose alongside profit, businesses can create a legacy of measurable, lasting change.
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market systems development for climate action

Climate Action Through Market Systems: Why Businesses Need a Systems Development Approach

To stay resilient and impactful amid climate challenges, businesses must embrace a systems development approach. This article explores how Market Systems Development (MSD) can align business incentives with environmental goals, helping SMEs access ESG support and scale sustainable practices. MSD isn’t just a method—it’s a mindset for long-term, inclusive climate action and economic growth.
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Young African Farmer with Tablet

When Opportunity Knocks: Three Keys for Creating Inclusive Growth through Sales-Agent Models

Sales agent models have the potential to improve access to goods and services while creating economic opportunity for women and youth. Drawing on work from Rwanda and Mozambique, TechnoServe’s Sophie Duchanoy and Sarah Bove share three key factors in making these approaches work.
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Co-creation with Community Organisations Vital to Effectively Address Health Inequality

With the impacts of climate change exacerbating health inequalities, how can businesses promote health equity through their climate action? Partnership for Southern Equity relates how it worked directly with healthcare professionals to advance climate and health equity, and introduces four practical steps outlined in the new Centering Health Equity in Climate Action Toolkit for Businesses.
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AI innovation in LMICs

Exploring the AI opportunity in LMICs: Unlocking Funding and Inclusive Innovation

As AI advances globally, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) risk being left behind. Yet AI holds transformative potential for addressing local challenges—from healthcare to climate resilience. This article explores the funding gaps, structural barriers, and innovation potential in LMICs, calling for inclusive investment, infrastructure, and policy to ensure AI delivers for everyone, everywhere.
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Businesses and NGOs Partner to Help Smallholder Farmers Tackle the Intersections

How can businesses and NGOs partner to help smallholder farmers tackle the intersections of climate change and gender inequality? Hosted with Diageo This Insights
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Winny Cherono - Empowering Women in Supply Chains

Empowering Women in Supply Chains: Celebrating the Impact of the WOW Programme

As we mark International Women’s Day 2025, the Work and Opportunities for Women (WOW) programme comes to a close after seven years of advancing women’s economic empowerment in global supply chains. Working across 12 countries, WOW has helped improve job access, working conditions, and financial independence while tackling broader issues like unpaid care, gender-based violence, and climate resilience. Its legacy highlights the ongoing challenges and opportunities in creating fairer, more inclusive economies.
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The Silent Voices of the Global South: How USAID’s Funding Freeze Exposes the Need for Change

As a Ugandan beneficiary of aid, Keith Kibirango highlights how USAID’s funding freeze exposes the flaws in traditional aid models, leaving communities vulnerable and disillusioned. This crisis calls for new, sustainable partnerships that prioritize direct impact and local leadership. The Global South must take charge of its development and funding future.
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Bhumijo - Bangladesh. Behaviour change for safe water and sanitation

How Businesses Can Use Behaviour Change Science to Improve Access to Safe Water, Clean Toilets, and Better Hygiene Habits

Access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) remains a major challenge for billions. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a critical role in filling this gap, but their impact can be enhanced through behaviour change strategies. By leveraging local trust, targeted communication, and data-driven insights, SMEs can drive healthier communities while growing sustainable businesses.
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A Hmong Woman On Rice fields terraced of Mu Cang Chai, YenBai, Vietnam. stock photo

From Risk to Resilience: The Power of Women in Global Supply Chains

A new Toolkit, published by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) Work and Opportunities for Women (WOW) programme, provides guidance for multinational companies on boosting the resilience of their supply chains in low-and middle-income countries by investing in women. Integrating gender equity into ESG strategies can help to meet evolving human rights and environmental due diligence requirements, improving risk management while unlocking productivity, innovation, and brand value.
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Garment workers India

Protecting Garment Workers from Climate Extremes

Garment workers, particularly women, face growing risks from climate extremes, threatening their health, wages, and livelihoods. A climate-responsive worker insurance program—funded by fashion brands, suppliers, and governments—could provide crucial protections, ensuring financial security and resilience. As climate risks intensify, the fashion industry must prioritize worker-centered solutions for a just transition and sustainable supply chains.
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Growing Prosperity in a Warming World: A Strategy for Resilient Agriculture 

As we enter 2025, the impacts of climate change are ever more prominent everywhere we look – especially for smallholder farmers. While there are no easy fixes to the climate challenges we face, there are solutions. This blog explores innovative business approaches to draw down CO2 and create new economic opportunities in areas of poverty.
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woman preparing to sow seeds on floating garden

Climate Change and Biodiversity: The Inextricable Link

Climate change and biodiversity loss are deeply interconnected crises driven by unsustainable development. Aligning global goals from COP16 and COP29 presents a critical opportunity to tackle these issues together. Practical Action advocates for funding frontline communities, empowering Indigenous leadership, and adopting integrated solutions to protect ecosystems, combat climate impacts, and build a sustainable future for people and the planet
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What do we mean by "Sustainable Development"?

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