SDG News March 2025 features hand picked content read and summarized for people interested and involved in learning, getting involved and implementing the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets. Read, watch and listen to our SDG Series.
Previous Updates: Mar 7
Week of Mar 14
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Youth Climate Action Fund Opens Second Round of Grants
The Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) is now accepting Round 2 applications, with $100,000 USD available for youth-led climate initiatives. Microgrants ranging from $1,500 to $7,000 CAD will support projects in education, climate adaptation, and local governance across Southern Georgian Bay and Grey County. Applications, requiring a sponsoring organization, are due by March 31, 2025, with results announced on April 22.
Actionable Insight: Young entrepreneurs should leverage these grants to launch impactful sustainability projects, collaborating with eligible organizations for support. | Read more
Housing Coalition Unveils Plan to Combat Trade War’s Impact on Housing Crisis
In response to the U.S.-Canada trade war, a coalition of Canadian housing organizations has launched Housing Canada: A Sovereign Plan, outlining 10 key strategies to protect renters, strengthen supply chains, and accelerate homebuilding. With tariffs threatening affordability, the plan prioritizes tax reforms, streamlined building processes, and Indigenous housing expansion.
Actionable Insight: Entrepreneurs in real estate and construction should leverage policy changes and funding opportunities to navigate supply chain challenges and invest in affordable housing solutions. | Read more
Areim Secures €450M to Expand Sustainable Data Center Investments
Swedish investment firm Areim has raised an additional €450M for its sustainable data center fund, bringing total commitments to €824M. The fund focuses on energy-efficient infrastructure, aligning with Europe's push for greener digital solutions. Areim’s strategy includes repurposing old industrial sites and integrating renewable energy sources to reduce environmental impact.
Actionable Insight: Investors and tech entrepreneurs should explore sustainable data infrastructure as a high-growth sector, leveraging green energy innovations to meet rising data demands. | Read more
NextEnergy Surpasses Target, Closes Solar Fund at $733M
NextEnergy Capital has closed its latest solar fund at $733M—50% above its initial target—highlighting strong investor confidence in renewable energy. The fund will focus on developing utility-scale solar projects in OECD countries, aiming to accelerate the transition to clean energy. With rising demand for sustainable investments, NextEnergy plans to expand its solar infrastructure portfolio significantly.
Actionable Insight: Investors should capitalize on the growing momentum in solar energy, leveraging large-scale renewables as a stable and scalable asset class. | Read more
Independent Media: A Key Investment for Sustainable Development
Investing in independent media is crucial for achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), argues Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF) CEO Harlan Mandel. MDIF supports media organizations that promote transparency, democracy, and informed societies, particularly in regions facing press freedom challenges. The fund sees independent journalism as both a social impact driver and a viable investment opportunity.
Actionable Insight: Impact investors should explore media funding as a strategic way to drive social change while ensuring long-term financial returns. | Read more
Balancing Economic Growth and Globalization for SDG Progress
A study analyzing 149 countries (2000–2023) finds that economic growth and globalization positively impact SDG achievement, while rapid urbanization and high ecological footprints hinder progress. Using a club convergence framework, the study identifies five converging country groups and one lagging group. The findings emphasize the need for tailored policies to align economic, social, and environmental goals.
Actionable Insight: Policymakers and investors should foster sustainable economic strategies while mitigating globalization’s negative effects to accelerate SDG progress. | Read more
U.S. Rejects UN Sustainable Development Goals, Exits Climate Damage Fund
The U.S. has formally denounced the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and withdrawn from the global Climate Damage Fund, citing concerns over sovereignty and economic impact. This move, aligned with the Trump administration’s broader skepticism of international climate agreements, raises concerns about global climate financing and cooperation. Critics argue it weakens collective efforts to combat climate change and support vulnerable nations.
Actionable Insight: Businesses should anticipate shifts in climate policy and explore private-sector-led sustainability initiatives to fill funding gaps. | Read more
Fanshawe College Launches Community Engagement Strategy for SDGs
Fanshawe College has introduced a Community Engagement Strategy to drive local impact on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative focuses on collaboration with businesses, nonprofits, and policymakers to address environmental and social challenges. Key priorities include sustainable innovation, inclusivity, and workforce development.
Actionable Insight: Businesses and entrepreneurs should explore partnerships with educational institutions to align with SDG-driven initiatives and access talent for sustainability projects. | Read more
UN Adopts Tourism Employment Indicator for SDG Progress
The UN has introduced a new Tourism Employment Indicator to measure the sector’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This metric will help track job creation, economic impact, and sustainability efforts within tourism, reinforcing its role in global development. The initiative aims to guide policy decisions and improve labor market conditions in the industry.
Actionable Insight: Tourism businesses should align strategies with sustainable employment practices to leverage emerging global benchmarks and attract responsible investments. | Read more
Policy Gaps Slowing SDG Progress, Experts Warn
Experts highlight significant policy gaps as key barriers to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in developing economies. Issues such as weak governance, insufficient funding, and regulatory inefficiencies are stalling progress. Strengthening institutional frameworks, fostering public-private partnerships, and ensuring policy coherence are critical to accelerating SDG implementation.
Actionable Insight: Businesses should engage in policy advocacy and collaborate with governments to drive SDG-aligned reforms, unlocking growth opportunities in sustainable development. | Read more
UN Development Cooperation Forum Enhances SDG Impact
The UN’s Development Cooperation Forum (DCF) plays a key role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering global partnerships, improving policy coherence, and enhancing financial and technical support for developing nations. The forum emphasizes inclusive, data-driven strategies to strengthen development cooperation and accelerate SDG progress.
Actionable Insight: Organizations should engage with DCF initiatives to access funding, policy guidance, and collaboration opportunities for impactful SDG-driven projects. | Read more
Africa’s Progress on SDGs: Challenges and Opportunities
Africa’s progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains uneven, with strides in health and education but setbacks in poverty reduction and climate resilience. Economic growth, governance reforms, and infrastructure investments are driving improvements, yet financing gaps and policy inefficiencies hinder further advancement. The report stresses the need for targeted investments and stronger international partnerships.
Actionable Insight: Investors and policymakers should prioritize SDG-aligned projects in Africa, focusing on sustainable infrastructure, digital innovation, and inclusive economic growth. | Read more
Week of March 7
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India’s SDG Progress: Lagging in Key Areas
India is behind the global average in 9 out of 16 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with uneven progress across states. While some success is seen in health, clean water, energy, and economic growth, major data gaps and missing indicators hinder accurate tracking. Challenges persist in populous states like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, slowing national progress.
Actionable Insight: Businesses and policymakers should push for better SDG data collection and targeted interventions in lagging regions. | Read more.
ESG in 2025: New Standards and Tech-Driven Transparency
The ISSB’s IFRS S1 and S2 standards are unifying global sustainability reporting, with over 25 jurisdictions adopting them. Companies must now disclose both environmental impact and climate risks. AI and blockchain are revolutionizing ESG reporting by enhancing accuracy and transparency. Businesses like Tata Motors leverage ESG for innovation, but greenwashing concerns persist.
Actionable Insight: Companies should integrate ISSB standards, leverage AI for ESG reporting, and adopt verifiable frameworks to ensure credibility. | Read more.
Conservation Finance: Unlocking Investments for Biodiversity
Global biodiversity funding falls short, with only $143 billion invested annually against the $824 billion needed. Innovative financing—such as blended finance, biodiversity credits, and debt-for-nature swaps—can bridge this gap. Private sector investment surged from $9.4 billion in 2020 to over $102 billion in 2024. Indigenous communities, managing 50% of global land, require greater financial support.
Actionable Insight: Businesses and investors should explore biodiversity credits, ecosystem services payments, and conservation bonds to drive impact. | Read more.
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Goldman Sachs Launches Biodiversity Bond Fund for SDG Investments
Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM) has introduced the Biodiversity Bond Fund, investing in bonds that support UN SDGs related to biodiversity conservation. The fund targets SDG 6 (Clean Water), SDG 12 (Sustainable Production), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). It includes green, social, and sustainability bonds and unlabelled bonds from biodiversity-aligned companies.
Actionable Insight: Investors can leverage this fund for global fixed-income exposure while supporting biodiversity-positive projects. | Read more.
AI Misinformation Threatens Progress on Sustainability Goals
AI-driven misinformation is eroding trust in digital information, weakening engagement with sustainability efforts. As AI-generated content floods social media, public apathy toward credible sources grows, hindering awareness of climate action and SDG progress. Initiatives like SDGs@UofT SAC aim to combat this by fostering emotional investment in sustainability and promoting critical digital literacy.
Actionable Insight: Businesses and organizations must prioritize transparent AI use, support media literacy programs, and leverage authentic storytelling to engage audiences. | Read more.
IOC Pushes for Sport-Based Investments in Sustainable Development
At the 2025 Finance in Common Summit, the IOC urged collaboration among governments, businesses, and development banks to enhance sport’s role in achieving the SDGs. The FiCS Coalition introduced a roadmap for investing $10 billion in sustainable sports infrastructure, leveraging major events like Milano Cortina 2026. Partnerships with AFD and CAF are driving youth development through sport in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
Actionable Insight: Businesses and investors should explore sport-based impact investments and public-private partnerships to align with SDG initiatives. | Read more.
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17 Rooms: Advancing Big Ideas for Global Impact by 2030
The 2024 17 Rooms initiative shifted focus to bold, scalable solutions for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Projects include cash transfers to combat infant poverty (SDG 1), AI-driven interspecies funding (SDG 15), and digital IDs for 1 billion people (SDG 9). By fostering cross-sector collaboration, the initiative aims to accelerate transformative solutions.
Actionable Insight: Entrepreneurs and policymakers should engage with multi-stakeholder platforms like 17 Rooms to scale innovative SDG solutions. | Read more.
Circular Economy Drives Responsible Finance and Reduces Default Risk
A new analysis highlights how the circular economy fosters responsible finance by aligning investments with sustainability goals while lowering default risks for financial institutions. Businesses adopting circular models benefit from cost efficiency, regulatory incentives, and increased investor confidence. Financial institutions are recognizing circularity as a risk-mitigating factor, leading to more favorable lending conditions.
Actionable Insight: Companies should integrate circular economy principles to enhance financial stability and attract sustainable investments. | Read more.
The Ancient Art of Grafting and Its Personal Significance
The author reflects on the ancient practice of grafting, a horticultural technique used for centuries to merge plant varieties. Initially indifferent, they grew to appreciate its symbolism of resilience and renewal. The piece explores how grafting mirrors personal growth and interconnectedness, showing how old traditions continue to shape modern perspectives.
Actionable Insight: Entrepreneurs and creatives can draw inspiration from grafting’s fusion of old and new, applying adaptability and innovation in their fields. | Read more.
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