In 2015, 193 countries agreed on 17 shared goals: to make the world a fairer, cleaner and more liveable place by 2030. It sounds like high-level politics and something far removed from everyday life. But it isn’t, because anyone living in the DSW is already right at the heart of some of these goals, without perhaps even realising it.
Our cooperative’s approach to sustainability
What are the SDGs and why are we telling you about them?
Put simply, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are sustainability targets. The United Nations adopted them as part of the 2030 Agenda. These 17 goals are designed to end poverty, curb climate change and promote social justice. It is not just governments that are called upon to act, but also businesses, co-operatives and every single person.
For a housing co-operative such as DSW, this is not an abstract issue. After all, behind goals such as ‘Affordable and Clean Energy’ or ‘Sustainable Cities and Communities’ lie questions that a housing co-operative addresses on a daily basis: How do we heat our homes? How do we design our outdoor spaces? How do we modernise? How do we shape our neighbourhoods?
Why goals are important to us
A co-operative belongs to its members, and its mission is to secure good, affordable housing in the long term. This is precisely where the link with sustainability lies: acting in such a way that life continues to function well for the next generation too. The DSW is therefore developing a clear sustainability strategy. Not because it is a requirement, but because it is part of what it means to be a co-operative. Anyone responsible for nearly 5,000 flats must regularly ask themselves: What are we doing well? Where can we improve? And how do our actions affect the environment, the neighbourhood and the community?
How you benefit
The resulting sustainability reporting makes our actions transparent to everyone. Consumption, social initiatives, investment in our portfolio and employee participation: we involve members and staff alike in these matters and firmly embed these issues in the day-to-day running of our co-operative.
The 17 goals and what the DSW has to do with them
Not all 17 Sustainable Development Goals affect the day-to-day running of our housing co-operative to the same extent. Some are closely linked, whilst others have an indirect impact. The key idea behind this is that the 17 goals are interlinked. Ensuring affordable housing reduces inequality. Those who work to combat climate change are also protecting public health. Those who promote biodiversity are safeguarding water supplies. No goal can be achieved in isolation.
Here is a brief explanation of all 17 Sustainable Development Goals:
SDG 1 –
No poverty
No one anywhere in the world should have to live in extreme poverty; this means a minimum level of income, social security and prospects for everyone.
SDG 2 –
Zero Hunger
Enough food, a healthy diet and a farming sector that will still be viable tomorrow.
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
Good healthcare should be accessible to everyone, regardless of where they live or how much they earn.
SDG 4 –
Quality Education
Every child and every adult should have the opportunity to receive a good education as the foundation for a self-determined life and participation in society.
SDG 5 –
Gender equality
Women and girls around the world should have the same rights, opportunities and prospects as men in the workplace, within the family and in politics.
SDG 6 –
Clean Water and Sanitation
Clean drinking water and proper sanitation are by no means a given for billions of people around the world. That is set to change.
SDG 7 –
Affordable and clean energy
Electricity and heating should be affordable and reliable for everyone, and increasingly sourced from renewable energy sources.
SDG 8 –
Decent Work and
Economic Growth
Work should be fairly paid, offer safe conditions and create real prospects – growth that benefits only a few is not enough.
SDG 9 –
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Roads, networks, factories, digital connections: a resilient infrastructure is the foundation on which societies and economies function.
SDG 10 –
Reduced inequalities
The gap between rich and poor should be narrowing, not widening.
SDG 11 –
Sustainable cities and communities
Cities should be places where everyone can live well: safe, affordable, green and with a real sense of community – whether they are major cities or Magdeburg-Stadtfeld.
SDG 12 –
Sustainable Consumption and Production
We are using more resources than the Earth can provide. That needs to change: throw away less, use things for longer, produce more sustainably.
SDG 13 – Climate action
We can no longer stop climate change, but we can slow it down. Less CO₂, more adaptation, swifter action: now.
SDG 14 –
Life below water
Oceans, coastlines and marine life are under pressure from overfishing, plastic and rising water temperatures. This goal aims to put a stop to this.
SDG 15 – Life on Land
: Forests, soils, biodiversity – the natural foundations of life are disappearing. This goal calls for their protection, from the rainforest to the green spaces on our doorsteps.
SDG 16 –
Peace, justice and strong institutions
Without peace, the rule of law and fair institutions, no other objective can be achieved. Transparency, participation and protection against arbitrary action are all part of this.
SDG 17 –
Partnerships
No country, no company and no co-operative can achieve this on its own. Cooperation – both locally and globally – is essential if the other 16 goals are to stand any chance at all.
Over the coming months, as part of our sustainability strategy, we will be drawing up a roadmap to ensure that each sustainability target is firmly embedded within DSW and can be taken into account in everyday residential life. In this way, we at DSW will not only contribute to the broader goals of the 2030 Agenda, but also take small steps towards climate neutrality ourselves.
You can find all the details on our advice page on sustainability.
