The SDG Observatory in Portuguese Companies is now entering a new phase. After four years of research, engagement, and collaboration with the Portuguese business sector, the Observatory is beginning its second cycle, reinforcing its commitment to supporting companies in transforming sustainability ambitions into concrete action.
This new four year cycle comes at a decisive moment for the future of the 2030 Agenda. While sustainability is increasingly integrated into business discussions, the challenge organizations now face is no longer awareness, but integration and acceleration. The gap between commitments and implementation remains significant, both globally and nationally. In this context, the role of companies becomes even more critical.
The Observatory’s second cycle will focus on three major priorities.
First, supporting companies in the operational implementation of the SDGs, helping organizations transform commitments into measurable progress over the next four years. The goal is not simply to discuss sustainability, but to accelerate the achievement of meaningful targets before 2030.
Second, promoting strategic reflection on the Post 2030 Development Agenda. As discussions intensify regarding the future of global sustainability governance, it is essential for the private sector to actively participate in shaping a new Agenda that is both ambitious and practically applicable from a business perspective. In this context, the Observatory aims to help bring the voice and experience of the Portuguese business community into international discussions, including United Nations debates on the Post 2030 Agenda.
Third, contributing to the advancement of the SDGs in Portugal through stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors. Many sustainability challenges cannot be solved by a single actor. The next phase of implementation will require more partnerships, stronger coordination, and greater alignment between public policy and business action.
To achieve these objectives, the Observatory will strengthen data collection and longitudinal analysis, one of the project’s key differentiating factors since its creation. The second cycle will maintain the sample of participating companies from the first cycle while also inviting new organizations that have joined the group of the largest companies operating in Portugal. A new questionnaire will also be introduced, shorter and more accessible, designed not only to facilitate participation but also to serve as a self assessment tool for companies to evaluate their level of SDG implementation. The continued engagement of both large companies and SMEs will remain essential to the project’s long term success and impact.
At the same time, the Observatory will strengthen knowledge production through sector specific studies, international comparative analyses, and publications on emerging topics, including the Post 2030 Agenda. Capacity building initiatives, workshops, webinars, and collaborative events will continue to play a central role in promoting knowledge sharing and practical action among different stakeholders.
The first cycle demonstrated that Portuguese companies are becoming increasingly engaged with the SDGs. The challenge now is no longer awareness, but rather the ability to integrate sustainability more deeply into business strategy and accelerate implementation in the years leading up to 2030.
At a time when only a small portion of the SDG targets are globally on track, this second cycle aims to consolidate the Observatory’s role as a platform for knowledge, collaboration, and action, contributing to a more active and informed participation of companies in the transition toward a more sustainable and competitive development model.
If you are interested in contributing to this new phase of the Observatory, we would be delighted to hear from you (crbl.clsbe@ucp.pt).
Adriana Zani, Manager of the SDG Observatory in Portuguese Companies Center for Responsible Business and Leadership | CATÓLICA-LISBON