Sustainability is about the long-term well-being of society, an issue that encompasses a wide range of aspirational targets including ending poverty and hunger
ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all
ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all
and promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
Clearly the challenges associated with pursuing the goals are daunting and for most businesses, it may be difficult for them to see how they can play a meaningful role in address them. Focusing on the community level allows an organization to set meaningful targets and implement programs that fit the scale of its operations and which can provide the most immediate value to the organization and its stakeholders. Societal well-being projects and initiatives must ensure that the organization does not compromise, and instead improves, the well-being of local communities through its value chain and in society-at-large.
This book is a comprehensive guide to community engagement and investment, beginning with a survey of community-related voluntary standards and then turning to strategy and management, community engagement, community investment and reporting, and communications on community-related activities.