To enhance the positive impact and mitigate the negative impact of organizations' activities toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is essential to set goals and KPIs to measure their achievement.
Indira Lorenzo, who was one of the facilitators of the third session of the SDG 101 Workshops organized by the American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic (AMCHAMDR), focused on the importance of establishing clear objectives in order to achieve tangible results and a coordinated response to the sustainability projects the organization will undertake.
"By setting objectives, companies are aware of whether they are moving closer to or further away from their proposed goals. It's the most feasible way to measure progress toward the strategic plan," said Lorenzo, who recommended defining them in a SMART manner (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound).
During his presentation, Lorenzo explained the difference between setting absolute goals (which only take into account the KPI) and relative goals (which compare the KPI to a unit of product).
The expert emphasized the importance of clearly defining Key Performance Indicators to ensure timely execution of tasks and to clearly and transparently communicate the strategic plan both internally and externally within the organization.
"No objective is automatically achieved from 0 to 10%. You need a process that determines the indicators that will help you analyze compliance after certain, predetermined periods," he said.
Luis Madera then presented the 2021 Voluntary National Report submitted by the Dominican Republic to analyze the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to reflect public policies in national planning instruments.
The report contains the level of progress towards the objectives, indicators and goals of the SDGs linked to: End of Poverty (1), Zero Hunger (2), Good health and well-being (3), Clean water and sanitation (6), Decent work and economic growth (8), Reduction of inequalities (10), Responsible production and consumption (12), Climate Action (13), Peace, justice and strong institutions and Partnerships for the achievement of the Goals (17).
During his presentation, the expert acknowledged that the pandemic has set back the achievement of the SDGs and that, while some goals need to be reconsidered, it is also necessary to focus on the social impact left by COVID-19. In this regard, he advocated for an employment recovery strategy that involves both the public (in terms of public policy development) and private sectors.
"The government needs public support to restore employment. We understand that poverty reduction must be sought without causing future poverty, through employment, which must focus on providing better social and working conditions and positively impacting the environment," he emphasized.
Madera announced that work is underway to finalize the national framework for prioritizing SDG targets and aligning them with the 2021-2024 National Multi-Year Public Sector Plan. The program will also select the actions required to drive progress toward the objectives and goals of the 2030 National Development Strategy and establish indicators and follow-up mechanisms to facilitate monitoring and accountability.
Meet the panelists
Indira Lorenzo is the Director of Sustainability for Grupo MARTÍ and the Tropigas Foundation. She graduated with a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Pontifical Catholic University Madre y Maestra and later completed an Executive Master's degree in Renewable Energy from the School of Industrial Organization. She is certified by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) in the Standards for Sustainability Reporting.
Luis Madera serves as Director of Economic Analysis for the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs. He holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the Pontifical Catholic Mother and Teacher University (PUCMM), a master's degree in Applied Economics for Public Policy from the Catholic University of Santo Domingo (UCSD), and a specialty in Statistical Analysis from the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD).
She has completed various courses and diplomas related to the production of economic and social statistical information. Since 2011, she coordinated the ONE team that participated as a data provider for the 2011 and 2013 reports on progress toward the Millennium Development Goals and the final report in 2015. She was part of the expert team for the High-Level Inter-Institutional Commission for Sustainable Development's research, where she was tasked with producing documents and knowledge inputs for defining paths to follow to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs in the country, as well as monitoring this achievement.
