What I’m Learning About Sustainability, ESG, and Real Impact
Over the last few classes, we’ve gone deep into the heart of what sustainability means, from the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to frameworks like ESG and CSR. And it’s left me thinking: sustainability is no longer a buzzword, it’s a call to action that touches every part of society: individuals, communities, companies, and governments.
This post is my way of reflecting on all that I’ve been learning, and how it’s already shaping the way I see the world and my role in it.
🧭 The UN’s 17 SDGs: A Blueprint for a Better World
The Sustainable Development Goals are the world’s roadmap to tackle some of our biggest challenges, from poverty and inequality to climate change and biodiversity loss. They’re more than just ideals; they’re targets we can measure, track, and act on.
In class, we debated our top five priority goals. Mine?
SDG 13: Climate Action
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 15: Life on Land
These goals are deeply interconnected. You can’t tackle climate change without addressing overconsumption, or protect biodiversity without rethinking agriculture and land use. Everything is linked.
♻️ ESG, CSR, and the “Sustainability Alphabet”
We also explored the differences between CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance), and Sustainability itself.
Sustainability is the overarching principle: how do we meet today’s needs without compromising tomorrow’s?
CSR is about corporate values and voluntary commitments, like giving back to communities or reducing waste.
ESG is more about performance: what can be measured, reported, and used to evaluate companies (especially by investors).
What stood out to me is that ESG isn’t just a reporting exercise. It’s a strategic shift. It affects investment flows, brand perception, consumer trust, and even regulatory compliance.
🌆 Real Change Is Local (and Global)
We analyzed inspiring examples, from community-led water management in Sydney to reforestation in Costa Rica, urban transformation in Copenhagen, and circular fashion in Europe. These aren't just “feel-good” stories. They’re real-world case studies showing that sustainability is both possible and scalable.
And in our session with Prof. Andrea Micangeli, we saw how engineering projects, like off-grid renewable systems in rural Honduras or Cameroon, bring energy, water, and dignity to remote communities. These aren’t massive corporations. They’re small, purpose-driven solutions that meet real human needs.
🧠 Final Reflection: It's About Systems and People
These classes have shown me that sustainability isn't just about CO₂ or recycling bins. It's about systems thinking. It's about realizing that our economy, society, and environment are entangled and must be redesigned together.
What we consume, how we build, who we include, how we lead, every choice matters.
This is a journey, not a checklist. And whether we’re working in supply chains, policy, design, or local communities, we all have a part to play.
✨ Stay conscious. Stay connected. Stay active.
– Morena
For a critical academic perspective, check Why I Didn’t Love My Economics Class.