Climate action involves much more than just the amount of carbon emissions offset or removed. A critical part of the work that many carbon credit project developers do is around the communities, environments, and animals on this planet. In fact, those kinds of benefits are what a lot of buyers are looking for when it comes to their carbon credit investments.
One way carbon projects can display their co-benefits is by showcasing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (pictured below) that they align with.
To help you position your projects better with buyers, we’re going to walk you through the financial benefits of aligning with SDGs, examples of carbon projects that embody each of the 17 UN SDGs, and some tips on how to tell your carbon project’s SDG story.
The Financial Benefit Of SDG Alignment: Higher Value Credits
Buyers weigh a lot of factors when assessing carbon projects. While price and project type are always relevant to the conversation, community and systemic impact are enough to turn any corporate buyer’s head.
Buyers weigh a lot of factors when assessing carbon projects. While price and project type are always relevant to the conversation, community and systemic impact are enough to turn any corporate buyer’s head.
Research shows that buyers are willing to pay more for carbon credits that align with SDG goals.
BeZero found that projects with SDG claims overall had 31% higher price per credit compared to projects that didn’t make any SDG claims. Plus, according to the table above, we see that the price premium even has the capacity to increase over the years.
Not to mention, all BeZero projects with a AA rating make SDG claims, which signals that projects that are perceived to be high-quality almost always demonstrate alignment with SDGs.
This price premium that SDG brings demonstrates that corporate buyers want to be able to make claims and positive contributions that go beyond curbing carbon emissions. They want to be able to tell the kind of story that anyone can feel the impact of.
In our experience, buyers might also be interested in how projects benefit their local community or country. Or maybe they’d be interested in preserving biodiversity in a location that’s precious to their own community story. If your projects fit the bill, demonstrating your alignment with the SDGs makes it easier for them to find you.
Overall, highlighting your project’s SDGs can not only lend itself to a price premium, but it’s also an immediate way to communicate all the positive values of your project to buyers.
The 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations outlined 17 sustainable development goals to be reached by 2030. You may have seen these colorful logos on registries or PDDs, but it can be helpful to have a holistic understanding of each co-benefit to see how you can design your go-to-market carbon credit strategy.
We’ll be walking you through each SDG’s major priorities, particularly pertaining to the Carbon market spaces, and then demonstrate how a real-world project aligns with it.
SDG 1: No Poverty
Climate change is a threat to financial stability, especially in the already low-income regions of the world. According to a GFDRR report, climate change can impoverish 100 million people over the span of 15 years.
In turn, this first sustainable development goal focuses on alleviating economic disparity and poverty globally. This speaks not just to resources, but also to the economic fallout of climate-related activities that are only expected to get more intense. Carbon credit projects that can align with this SDG can focus not just on increasing economic resources, but also on increasing the resilience of these resources in the face of climate change.
Some of this SDG’s major priorities are:
- Eliminating extreme poverty
- At least halving the proportion of people living in poverty
- Ensuring everyone has equal rights to economic resources
- Reduce exposure, vulnerability, and fall-out from climate-related extreme events
Example of a project that aligns with SDG 1
This is a cookstove project in Somalia that provides more efficient (read: more affordable) cookstoves to the local community. On top of providing more efficient cookstoves that no longer have to rely on biomass in urban and peri-urban areas of Somalia, they’re helping the community save their funds.
With access to these improved cookstoves, locals no longer have to spend unnecessary time or money searching for charcoal or firewood or cookstove fuel. Women, in particular, benefit from reduced cooking time because it allows them more time to generate income. Additionally, since the cookstoves are manufactured in Kenya, they’re generating jobs and fueling the economy in that area.
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
Agriculture is heavily dependent on weather patterns, and with climate change driving extreme weather fluctuations, more and more people are at risk of facing increasing crop failures, inflated food prices, and hunger — especially in the most food-insecure regions. The World Bank warns that if no action is taken, 43 million people in Africa could fall below the poverty line by 2030 as a result of failing crops.
This second sustainable development goal focuses on food security, sustainable agriculture practices, and fair pricing. The goal is to create a more equitable and sustainable global food system that’s critical in the fight against food shortages and economic instability in agricultural communities. Carbon credit projects that align with this SDG can do a wide range of things, from promoting agroforestry practices to developing processes to eliminate food waste.
Some of its major goals are:
- Guaranteeing universal access to sufficient amounts of nutritious food
- Doubling agricultural productivity and the incomes of small-scale food producers
- Instilling sustainable food production systems and environmentally beneficial agricultural practices
- Limiting extreme food price volatility
Example of a project that aligns with SDG 2:
The WithOneSeed Timor Leste Community Forestry Program is developing sustainable agricultural practices across their island in Southeast Asia.
They’re working to bring forests back to life in degraded landscapes and have engaged 1200+ local farmers in their efforts. Since reforestation enhances nutrient cycling, they’re boosting the quality of the soil and the resiliency of their farmland. Additionally, they’re increasing the quality of the soil by integrating trees with crops. The shade the trees provide benefits soil fertility and crop output.
Ultimately, the work this reforestation project does to develop the farmland helps improve the quality of the crops and bolster income security for local farmers, which is key to working towards this SDG.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
58% of infectious diseases are made worse when up against climatic hazards. As outlined by infectious disease experts at UC Davis, it can increase the range of vector-borne diseases, raise transmission rates, spread diseases across a larger scope, and heighten zoonotic spillover risk.
That’s why the work of Carbon projects to promote health and battle these climate-change-induced infectious diseases is so critical. As such, SDG 3 focuses on providing coverage for a healthy life and reducing the number of pollution-related illnesses and deaths. Carbon projects that work towards eliminating pollutant contamination or even provide funding towards a cause like vaccine development might then align with this sustainable development goal.
Here are some of its major goals:
- Ensure universal health coverage for all
- Reduce deaths and illnesses caused by air, water, and soil pollution and contamination
- Promote research and development in vaccine and medicine development
- Increase investment in healthcare funding
Example of a project that aligns with SDG 3:
This cookstove project based out of Kenya provides locals a cleaner and healthier cooking environment thanks to the clean biomass stove and pellets they provide (pictured above). They’re serving communities that traditionally would be cooking with charcoal, which would be a health risk to anyone in the kitchen, especially at the high frequency that they’d be doing it in.
This cookstove runs on clean-burning pellets made from waste biomass. With them, the smoke, up to 70% of its GHG emissions, and the associated risk are eliminated. Their “A” rating from BeZero, a leading rating agency, adds further reassurance that they’re improving the health of these communities and therefore aligning with SDG 3.
SDG 4: Quality Education
Education inequality quickly turns to income inequality. When students miss out on learning due to climate disasters, especially in low-income countries, it can severely negatively impact them. Especially when innovative ideas and skills are key to battling climate change, we need to make sure every generation everywhere is getting what they need to do so.
SDG 4 highlights the importance of education when it comes to shaping societal values, improving equity, and fostering economic growth. Not only does it give individuals skills to improve their own lives, but it is also a key tool to fight climate change. A project that might align with this SDG is one that shares sustainable knowledge that can be spread throughout communities, or a project that utilizes carbon finance to provide scholarships for women.
Some of its major focuses are:
- Ensuring universal access to inclusive and equitable primary and secondary education
- Expanding access to high-quality early childhood education and care
- Providing affordable and inclusive opportunities for quality technical, vocational, and higher education
- Equipping young people with essential technical and vocational skills that can better set them up for employment
- Improving literacy and numeracy rates
- Closing gender gaps in education
- Promoting sustainable development knowledge
Example of a project that aligns with SDG 4:
The Ayeyarwady Mangrove Restoration Initiative is a Blue Carbon reforestation project dedicated to planting 2,065 hectares of 9.1 million mangrove trees in the Ayeyarwady region of Myanmar. While its environmental impact is substantial — strengthening coastal resilience, enhancing biodiversity, and reducing carbon emissions — its contributions go far beyond reforestation. The project actively supports the local community by promoting quality education.
A key aspect of this initiative is its investment in education and skill development. They provide vocational training and scholarships so individuals can learn critical skills such as computer literacy, ultimately setting them up for greater employment opportunities.
The photo above highlights some of the scholarship recipients who are benefiting from this initiative.
SDG 5: Gender Equality
According to the UN, Climate change is a “threat multiplier” to women and girls who are already facing inequality.
For example, in many low-income countries, women depend on work in the agriculture sector, which is among the most vulnerable sectors to climate change. Moreover, during climate disasters, women are more likely to face injuries and even mortality because of limited access to critical information, decision-making opportunities, and essential resources. That’s why it’s so critical to have Carbon projects tackle existing and growing gender inequalities.
That’s what SDG 5 is all about. When carbon projects provide leadership and economic opportunities for women, they finally get the support they need to tackle these exacerbated challenges.
Some of the major things it focuses on are:
- Ending discrimination and violence against women
- Ensuring equal opportunity and participation in leadership for women
- Equal access and rights over economic resources for women
A project specifically providing business opportunities for women or allowing them to be stakeholders in this carbon credit project can allow them to align with SDG 5.
Example of a project that aligns with SDG 5:
Recycoal is a biochar provider that is also promoting gender equality in its work across Rwanda, Tanzania, and Senegal.
On top of providing environmental benefits like storing carbon dioxide permanently through pyrolysis and enhancing long-term soil fertility, they’re making sure to invite local women into business conversations and providing economic opportunity for them. They often form close partnerships with local women and empower them to start their own biochar business.
These direct conversations around business opportunities and involving them in decision-making are exactly what aligns them with this sustainable development goal.
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
703 million people worldwide are without easy access to clean water. With climate change, where there could be a 40% decrease in freshwater by 2030 and an increased risk of contamination of freshwater sources during climate disasters, things will only get worse. This poses a serious threat to the health and hygiene of people worldwide.
The goal of SDG 6 is to foster access to clean water while promoting sustainable management of water resources. Projects working to reduce contaminants in coastal and freshwater environments and make clean water easier to get directly support this goal.
Some of its major focuses are:
- Achieving universal access to safe and affordable drinking water
- Providing adequate sanitation and hygienic environments
- Minimizing water pollutants and contamination
- Safeguarding and repairing aquatic ecosystems
- Engaging local communities in enhancing water management practices
Example of a project that aligns with SDG 6:
The Nazava Water Filter Project focuses on providing clean drinking water in Indonesia with their ceramic water filters. Most local Indonesians have no other choice but to obtain water from wells. Not only might it be contaminated, but it’s also not readily accessible. They have to leave the home to get clean drinking water and then come home to boil it (which releases greenhouse gases in the process).
Nazava is there to stop that.
They provide this water filter to local Indonesians (as pictured above), and it’s certified to last for 7,000 liters. With these water filters, clean drinking water gets that much easier.
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Our current energy system is responsible for 75% of greenhouse gas emissions. The World Meteorological Organization has said that clean energy sources need to double by 2030 in order to limit extreme weather that can negatively impact our energy security.
If we don’t, these higher temperatures can lend themselves to an unreliable supply and pricing of necessary energy resources like fuels, minerals, and electricity. Not to mention, major climate disasters have the potential to wipe out large ranges of energy infrastructure. For example, droughts can slow thermo-electric and nuclear power plant operations.
That’s why SDG 7 is focused on expanding affordable and clean energy. Projects looking to spread efficient energy or teach sustainable energy practices to communities would align with this SDG.
Some of its major priorities are:
- Providing universal access to affordable and modern energy services
- Doubling the rate of improvement in energy efficiency
- Enhancing access to clean energy research and technology
- Expanding infrastructure and technology for modern and sustainable energy services
Example of a project that aligns with SDG 7:
This is a wind farm project based in Taiwan that has played an important role in expanding the country’s sustainable energy sector. Thanks to this project, two wind farms comprising over 45 wind turbines were developed and connected to their natural energy grid. They are producing clean energy for over 110,000 households annually, making it an integral source of energy for Taiwanese families.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Based on research done by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, climate change can spell out disaster for countries with already-warm climates that rely on agricultural outputs and are already struggling with economic growth. They estimate that by 2030, an additional 32 to 132 million people will remain in extreme poverty due to the direct impacts of climate change.
SDG 8 is focused on alleviating that number as much as possible. Its focus lies on sustaining and advancing economic growth even in the face of climate-related obstacles. When carbon projects provide job opportunities, particularly opportunities around promoting sustainable practices, then they align with this sustainable development goal.
Some of the key factors of this SDG are:
- Boosting high-value-added and labour-intensive sectors
- Improving resource efficiency and economic growth in the face of environmental degradation
- Bringing more youth employment, education, and training opportunities
- Protecting labour rights and safe working environments
- Promoting a form of sustainable tourism that creates jobs and is rooted in local culture and products
- Expanding access to banking, insurance, and financial services
Example of a project that aligns with SDG 8:
Hemp Carbon Standard drives economic growth for farmers in the industrial hemp industry. They provide opportunities for farmers to grow industrial hemp with regenerative practices that benefit the soil and remove carbon from the environment. This project is particularly impactful for farmers in rural areas who rely on the agriculture sector for job opportunities.
Not only are they providing these opportunities, but they’re also sharing their profits with the farmers, ensuring that they’re directly profiting from the project’s success.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
The Global Infrastructure Hub has uncovered that 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions stem from the very infrastructure that supports them. To effectively tackle climate change on a large scale, widespread infrastructure adaptation is essential to build lasting, sustainable industries.
SDG 9 is all about strengthening industries and infrastructure. Projects that prioritize eco-friendly practices on an industrial scale, improve resource efficiency, and invest in lasting sustainable infrastructure transformations.
Some of the major factors it focuses on are:
- Developing infrastructure that supports economic development and human well-being
- Advancing inclusive and sustainable industrialization to create employment and economic opportunities
- Boost resource efficiency and clean technologies throughout industries
- Facilitate sustainable and resilient infrastructure development in developing countries
Example of a project that aligns with SDG 9:
Based out of Malawi, the Durabric project focuses on making the brickmaking industry more sustainable. In order to do so, they’ve created stabilised soil bricks (pictured above) that don’t need to be fired, don’t require as much mortar for joining and plastering, and are easily adaptable to local construction materials and methods.
A key advantage of these bricks is that they bypass the traditional brick firing process, which is not only a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions but also a driver of deforestation.
Beyond offering an eco-friendly brick alternative, this project has also played a pivotal role in scaling up sustainable manufacturing within the brickmaking industry across the Sub-Saharan region.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities Within and Among Countries
A study from Stanford University has revealed that the most impoverished countries are considerably more impoverished because of climate change. Additionally, they found that the gap between the highest and lowest economic output per person is 25% larger across different nations because of climate change.
SDG 10 is centered around alleviating these gaps across social groups, classes, and nationalities. Projects focused on bolstering the income of individuals and the economy overall in developing countries and regions should align with this SDG.
Some key factors:
- Continuously increase income growth for the bottom 40% of the population at a rate that’s higher than the national average
- Empower the inclusion of all
- Expand representation and amplify the voices of developing countries in decision-making
Examples of a project that aligns with SDG 10:
Carboneers, a biochar supplier, has partnered with organizations across the globe in order to reduce inequalities across nations. In particular, their work with Together for Restoration in India is a great example of how carbon projects can go about reducing inequalities within and among countries.
Through this initiative, they’re working with over 7,000 farming communities and local farming NGOs (the majority of which are women) to turn their agricultural waste into biochar. They make decisions collaboratively as they work on bringing more income to these farmers in rural and often impoverished areas. Not only is this bringing more wealth to these underrepresented groups, but it’s also hoping to reduce the inequalities between the global north and the global south.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
While SDG 10 focuses on larger-scale inequalities amongst countries, SDG 11 takes a deeper dive into cities and communities.
Urban areas are responsible for around 60% of greenhouse gas emissions as they have to consume substantial resources and serve as major hubs for energy and transportation. While high-emitters, they’re also heavily at risk of being negatively affected by climate change.
With more extreme weather conditions and the “urban heat island effect,” there are serious risks to health and quality of life within cities. As such, cities should look for sustainable developments to emit less and also protect themselves from climate-related vulnerabilities. Any carbon project that helps cities and communities do so will likely align with this SDG.
Some of its major focuses are:
- Guarantee access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing
- Provide adequate, safe, sustainable, and affordable transportation
- Promote inclusive and sustainable urban development
- Significantly decrease the number of deaths and financial losses caused by natural disasters
- Minimize the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, with a focus on air quality and efficient municipal and waste management
- Provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible green and public spaces
- Expand the number of cities and human settlements adopting strategies towards inclusion, resource efficiency, and adaptation to climate change
- Support the least developed countries in constructing sustainable, resilient buildings from locally sourced materials
Example of a project that aligns with SDG 11:
This project establishes recycling and composting in a Vietnamese waste treatment facility equipped with advanced LEMNA composting technology (pictured above). Prior to the development of this project, there were minimal established measures to manage landfill waste decomposition and the greenhouse gas emissions it produced in the area.
By diverting this waste from landfills, this project not only avoids these emissions but also creates over 50,000 tonnes of high-quality fertilizer annually.
Additionally, it’s making the city more sustainable by minimizing the amount of waste sent to open dumping sites. It also fosters long-term progress in the city’s recycling and composting efforts, inviting in other sustainable changes.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
The United Nations projects that if our population continues to grow without changing our consumption patterns to be more sustainable, we might need the equivalent of nearly three planets to provide the amount of natural resources we’ll need. While it takes time, businesses need to start consuming resources more mindfully, especially with an eye on what can lead to environmental degradation.
SDG 12 is rooted in the sustainable management of these resources, lifestyles, and supply chains. By addressing issues like overconsumption, waste generation, and pollution, it aims to create a world where sustainability is integrated into everyday choices as well as business practices.
Some of its major goals are:
- Ensuring sustainable and efficient management of natural resources
- Cut per capita global food waste in half and reduce food losses along production and supply chains
- Implementing environmentally sound management of chemicals and waste to significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil
- Substantially lowering waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse
- Encouraging businesses to adopt sustainable practices
- Promoting public procurement practices that are sustainable
- Ensure that everyone has the right information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles
- Supporting developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity for more sustainable consumption and production patterns
- Developing and implementing tools to measure and track the impact of sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
Example of a project that aligns with SDG 12:
Rebellion Energy Solutions, a carbon developer focused on plugging oil and gas wells to restore ecosystems, is a great example of a project developer that consistently aligns with SDG 12. Their whole ethos is about promoting the sustainable lifecycle of oil and gas infrastructures that don’t exist today.
They take abandoned oil wells and ensure the responsible cleanup of them, and significantly reduce the release of gas into the air. Not only are they ensuring fewer emissions, but they’re also safeguarding local resources and improving the quality of the natural resources around these degraded structures.
Take, for example, their project Heartland 1 - Packard & Kottke Ranch. They plugged six orphan oil wells in Oklahoma that were a health risk to both landowners and the environment. Therefore, reducing methane emissions and encouraging responsible behavior across the oil and gas industry.
SDG 13: Climate Action
Greenhouse gas emissions are higher than ever. Every country in the world faces some negative impact of climate change. And if individuals, businesses, and nations don’t do their part, then it’ll only get worse.
SDG 13 is about climate action and activities that can lower emissions and strengthen resiliency. It’s not hard to align with these goals as a carbon credit project developer. After all, we’re all in this to advance climate action.
Here are some of its major goals:
- Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters
- Integrate climate measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
- Improve education and awareness on climate change mitigation and adaptation
Example of a project that aligns with SDG 13:
This Climeworks DAC plant is based in Iceland and was the first industrial-scale plant of its kind. It captures carbon dioxide and transforms it into carbonate minerals. Then, they hand it off to Carbfix to convert it into stable carbonate minerals and permanently store it away in basalt.
On top of permanently locking away carbon on a major scale, they also run on low-carbon energy themselves to keep their carbon footprint low.
Not only are they lowering emissions, but they’re advancing climate action and the technology available to move it forward.
SDG 14: Life Below Water
Climate change has been warming the ocean, and has even broken records in 2023. These rising temperatures play a role in causing storms to intensify more rapidly and ocean acidification, which leads to the decay of coral reefs and negatively impacts marine biodiversity.
The ocean is also plagued by negative human activity that leads to marine pollution and overfishing.
In order to tackle these challenges, SDG 14 exists. By implementing policies and practices that protect these ecosystems and promote more sustainable behaviors, they’re looking to improve the quality of life of all marine creatures and mitigate the global negative effects of climate change.
Some of its major focuses are:
- Prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds
- Sustainably restore, manage, and protect marine and coastal ecosystems by strengthening their resiliency
- Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification
- Regulate and end destructive fishing practices
- Conserve coastal and marine areas
- Increase economic benefits from the sustainable use of marine resources
Example of a project that aligns with SDG 14:
Based out of Madagascar, the Tahiry Honko mangrove conservation project is a great example of a carbon project that aligns with SDG 14. It’s the world’s largest community-led mangrove conservation project, and their goal is to preserve and restore over 1,000 hectares of mangroves.
Restoring mangroves is important for climate action, but this project’s cobenefits are especially important for this SDG. They’re promoting sustainable initiatives around sea cucumber and seaweed farming, and also heightening the activity of mud crab and shrimp fisheries. These are practices that will help marine life thrive.
SDG 15: Life on Land
While SDG 14 looks at life below sea level, SDG 15 looks above it.
If we look at the impact climate change has on forests, in 2023 alone, tropical forests around the world lost a grand total of 3.7 million hectares of land. If we look at the impact on soil, we can see that soil moisture has been continuously declining (desertification) which negatively impacts food production. On top of that, frozen soil is starting to disintegrate and accelerate climate change.
That’s why we have SDG 15 to tackle these issues. Many carbon credit projects, like reforestation, for example, play a crucial role in advancing this goal by restoring forests, improving soil health, and enhancing sustainable land management.
Some of its major focuses are:
- Ensuring the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems
- Promoting sustainable forest management, restoring degraded forests, and substantially increasing afforestation
- Combating desertification and restoring degraded land and soil
- Ensuring conservation of mountain ecosystems and their biodiversity
Example of a project that aligns with SDG 15:
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This project, running out of Uganda, involves over 41,898 smallholder households as they embark on farmer-led agroforestry projects. They’ve already planted over two million trees. Farmers benefit financially from the trees planted on their land, and the protected forests in the area face reduced pressure thanks to the growing number of trees available outside of them.
On top of advancing reforestation, they’re also planting threatened native tree species in order to further biodiversity conservation.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
In order for climate action to be effective, it’s imperative that the institutions that carry out sustainable policies are rid of corruption. Especially when it’s critical to build trust and integrity in the VCM, this SDG is vital to ensure the success of carbon credit projects.
Furthermore, a study by the UN has revealed that a variety of activities that negatively impact our environment, like illegal timber trade, burning of charcoal, or even large-scale deforestation, can be traced back to institutional corruption in certain areas. Therefore, not only is it necessary to make sure our institutions are just to advance climate action, but it’s also necessary to make sure they’re honestly acting to not drag us backwards.
Projects that work to bring communities together with governmental institutions to allow for sustainable strides with transparent decision-making might align with this SDG.
Some of this SDG’s major focuses are:
- Reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
- Ensure equal justice for all
- Reduce illicit financial and arms flows
- Stamp out corruption and bribery
- Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions
- Guarantee responsive, inclusive, and participatory decision-making
- Strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance
- Promote and enforce laws and policies for sustainable development
Example of a project that aligns with SDG 16:
The Mikoko Pamoja project is focused on community-led mangrove conservation and restoration in southern Kenya. It began in 2010, making it the world’s first Blue Carbon project.
Not only is their project increasing the level of local coastal protection and water purification, but they’re also working with local governments and NGOs to encourage national adoption of sustainable forest conservation strategies. This high-level work is what makes them align with SDG 16.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
SDG 17 is all about promoting partnership on a wide scale, from countries to the private sector to civilians in order to have everyone benefit from sustainable practices. This means developed countries will provide assistance to developing countries in order to ensure there will be a global impact from all the sustainable practices that are being implemented.
Therefore, projects that help direct carbon finance and green technologies into developing countries can align with this SDG.
Here are some of its major focuses:
- Grow domestic resource mobilization to boost domestic capacity for tax and revenue collection
- Implement investment regimes for least developed countries
- Improve global access to science, technology, and innovation
- Spread sustainable technologies to developing countries
- Significantly up the exports of developing countries
- Enhance policies for sustainable development
Example of a project that aligns with SDG 17:
Communitree is the largest reforestation initiative in Nicaragua. They work with over 4,000 smallholder farmers to plant trees in underutilized areas of their farms. It was intentionally designed to benefit farmers who were making less than $2 a day. Funders from Europe and North America are driving the carbon financing to drive cash flow to these impoverished communities.
On top of receiving carbon finance, this project also helps farmers create and sell products like woodcrafts, biochar, and sustainable coffee. They’re cultivating sustainable forest management practices through community workshops and 1:1 sessions as well.
This on-the-ground financing and sustainable education work aligns them with SDG 17.
How To Tell Your SDG Story
It’s your SDG and co-benefit story that’ll differentiate your project in the VCM. The more you highlight the people, biodiversity, and locations that you’re working in and transforming, the more your carbon project comes to life.
It’s not enough to have your SDGs buried in your PDDs. Surface them in places like one-pagers and your website’s overview. Showcase them in project proposals.
You should also go one step further than just showing the SDG icon. Make sure to explain how you align with that SDG. One way a lot of project developers do this on their website is by creating a table of each SDG their projects align with and how.
Most importantly, look for ways to make your project feel like a story. Use maps and photos to make it feel real to your buyer. Describe the communities, biodiversity, and land you’re working with. Explain their present-day struggles and how your project can help solve them. Metrics are an especially important tool to leverage here to add further dimension to your story.
These tips and tricks are how to make buyers envision the real impact they can make if they invest in your project.
Highlight Your Project’s Co-Benefits
If you want to boost sales, differentiate your project, and cash in on price premiums, then highlight your project’s co-benefits.
And, if you need help crafting professional proposals loaded up with all your SDG data, use Catalyst to generate them in minutes.
See how here.
