What's the point of ESG Goals?

In my dreams, I see a world where sustainability isn't an afterthought but is integrated directly into the fabric of society. I see a world that is educated and aware and able to make smart or informed choices with ease. In fact, in the ideal world of my visions, consumers don't need to labor over their choices because companies will have frameworks and policies and integrated structures that make sustainability a founding principle on which many of them operate. Making choices as a customer shouldn't be between one big bad company and another, but one big green company and another.

Vision for a Sustainable, Values-Driven Future

The visions I have integrate the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations - SDGs’ - focus on economic, social, and environmental sustainability with the fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:18 as a moral framework. These foundational values include - Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.

United Nations Sustainability Development Goals - Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) | UN Office for Sustainable Development

It envisions a United States where:

- Constitutional Rule of Law ensures liberty, justice, and equal protection, with transparent governance and accountability for leaders.

- Social Equity reduces wealth disparities, empowers marginalized communities, and provides opportunities for upward mobility, especially for the working class and poor, amidst AI-driven economic shifts.

- Urban Planning fosters inclusive, resilient cities (SDG 11) with affordable housing, green spaces, and sustainable infrastructure.

- Economic Sustainability balances growth with fiscal responsibility, ensuring billionaires pay equitable taxes and social systems support the disadvantaged.

- Moral Leadership reflects love, kindness, and self-control, reducing polarization and fostering unity.

- Global Responsibility aligns with SDGs like climate action (SDG 13), clean energy (SDG 7), and partnerships (SDG 17) to enhance international stability.

Unfortunately, the prospect of seeing such a visionary change to the fabric of society seems daunting. there are many challenges and opportunities and solutions that need to be developed first.

Here is an estimated timeline and what society is likely to look like if these goals are actually pursued.

Timeline for Implementation

5-Year Vision (2030, aligning with SDG target year)

Overview: By 2030, the U.S. makes measurable progress toward SDGs, with policies embedding transparency, equity, and sustainability. Urban planning prioritizes affordable housing and green infrastructure. Leadership reflects accountability and compassion, reducing polarization.

Policies and Social Structures:

  - SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Expand social safety nets like earned income tax credits (EITC) and universal basic income (UBI) pilots, funded by progressive wealth taxes. Census Bureau data (2022) shows poverty at 11.6%; targeted programs could reduce this by 2–3% (Urban Institute, 2023).

  - SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities): Federal incentives for cities to adopt New Urban Agenda principles (UN Habitat III, 2016), including zoning reforms for affordable housing and public transit expansion. By 2030, 20% of U.S. cities implement inclusive urban plans, per UN SDG Report 2023.

(https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/cities/)

  - SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, Strong Institutions): Enact federal transparency laws mandating public disclosure of political funding and conflicts of interest, inspired by Sweden’s 2021 Voluntary National Review. Establish independent oversight boards for political accountability.

(https://www.government.se/government-policy/the-global-goals-and-the-2030-Agenda-for-sustainable-development/)

  - Moral Framework: Policies incentivize ethical leadership (e.g., mandatory ethics training for officials) and public campaigns promote kindness and unity, reducing affective polarization (Pew Research, 2023).

Urban Planning and ESG Goals:

  - Cities adopt participatory planning, involving citizens in designing green spaces and affordable housing, per UN SDG 11 targets. Example: Minneapolis’s 2040 Plan, which rezones for density and equity.[](https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/cities/)

  - Retrofit 10% of urban buildings for energy efficiency (SDG 7), reducing emissions by 5%, per U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projections.

Political and Leadership Changes:

  - Political Changes: Bipartisan coalitions form to pass SDG-aligned legislation, driven by public demand for transparency and equity. Independent candidates gain traction in local elections, pushing accountability.

  - Party Affiliations: Both parties adopt platforms prioritizing SDGs, with Democrats focusing on social equity and Republicans on economic efficiency, but Independents mediate to reduce polarization.

  - Leadership: Leaders with records of transparency and ethical conduct (e.g., admitting mistakes, avoiding divisive rhetoric) rise, modeled on figures like Jacinda Ardern globally.

- Challenges: Polarization (38% of Americans support authoritarianism, Carnegie Endowment, 2023) and resistance from wealthy interests against tax reforms. Progress depends on grassroots pressure.

10-Year Vision (2035)

Overview: The U.S. becomes a leader in SDG implementation, with reduced inequality, sustainable urban systems, and a culture of accountability. AI-driven economic shifts are mitigated by robust social systems.

Policies and Social Structures:

  - SDG 8 (Decent Work, Economic Growth): Implement retraining programs for AI-displaced workers, funded by a 1% wealth tax on billionaires, projected to raise $100 billion annually (CBO, 2024). Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts 15% of jobs at risk from AI by 2035.

  - SDG 4 (Quality Education): Universal access to digital skills training, aligning with SDG 4.4, to empower the working class. By 2035, 80% of adults have basic digital literacy, per UNESCO projections.

  - SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Enforce equal pay laws and expand women’s leadership programs, achieving 40% female representation in Congress (up from 27% in 2023, Center for American Women and Politics).

  - Moral Framework: Public education campaigns emphasize patience and self-control, reducing hate speech online by 20%, per academic studies on social norms (e.g., Nature, 2021).

Urban Planning:

  - 50% of U.S. cities adopt zero-carbon public transit systems, per SDG 11.2. Example: Los Angeles’s Metro expansion, targeting 30% emissions reduction by 2035 (EIA).(https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/cities/)

  - Slum-like conditions reduced by 25% through federal housing grants, per UN SDG Report 2023.[](https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/cities/)

Political and Leadership Changes:

  - Political Changes: Electoral reforms (e.g., ranked-choice voting) reduce partisan gridlock, adopted in 20 states (FairVote, 2023). Independent-led coalitions push for SDG-focused budgets.

  - Party Affiliations: New centrist movements emerge, blending Democratic social equity with Republican fiscal restraint, emphasizing unity and lawfulness.

  - Leadership: Leaders prioritize data-driven governance, using SDG indicators (UN SDG Index) to measure progress. Ethical scandals lead to stricter penalties for public officials.(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_Development_Goals)

- Challenges: Resistance to AI regulation and wealth taxes from tech and financial sectors. Public trust (16% in 2023, Pew) must improve through consistent transparency.

20-Year Vision (2045)

Overview: The U.S. achieves significant SDG progress, with halved poverty rates, near-zero carbon emissions in major cities, and a culture of unity and compassion. Global leadership strengthens through SDG partnerships.

Policies and Social Structures:

  - SDG 13 (Climate Action): Achieve 80% renewable energy (SDG 7), reducing emissions by 50% from 2005 levels (EIA projections). Carbon taxes fund green infrastructure.

  - SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Gini coefficient (income inequality) drops from 0.41 (2023) to 0.35, per World Bank models, through progressive taxation and UBI.

  - SDG 16 (Peace, Justice): Independent judicial oversight ensures constitutional compliance, with 90% of federal actions audited for transparency (inspired by EU Voluntary Review).[](https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/sustainable-development-goals_en)

  - Moral Framework: Cultural norms shift toward gentleness and faithfulness, with schools teaching empathy and conflict resolution, reducing violent crime by 30% (DOJ projections).

Urban Planning:

  - 80% of cities meet SDG 11 targets, with universal access to safe housing and transit. Smart cities use AI for efficient resource allocation, per UN Habitat models.[](https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/cities/)

  - Green spaces increase by 40%, improving mental health and community cohesion (CDC, 2023).

Political and Leadership Changes:

  - Political Changes: Constitutional amendments strengthen accountability, e.g., term limits for Congress and mandatory ethics disclosures. Independents hold 20% of congressional seats.

  - Party Affiliations: Traditional parties fragment, replaced by issue-based coalitions focused on SDGs and unity. Voter turnout rises to 80% due to electoral reforms.

  - Leadership: Leaders model Galatians 5 values, with public approval tied to measurable SDG progress. Global partnerships (SDG 17) elevate U.S. influence.

- Challenges: Global instability (e.g., climate migration) and domestic resistance to systemic change. Sustained public engagement is critical.

40-Year Vision (2065)

Overview: The U.S. is a global model for sustainability, equity, and moral governance. Poverty is nearly eradicated, cities are carbon-neutral, and leadership reflects love, peace, and self-control universally.

ESG Goals are nearly all met with regularity in company reporting standards.

Policies and Social Structures:

  - SDG 1 (No Poverty): Poverty rate below 5%, achieved through universal healthcare, education, and AI-driven job creation (Census Bureau projections).

  - SDG 3 (Health), SDG 4 (Education): Universal healthcare and free higher education ensure equitable access, reducing health disparities by 80% (HHS).

  - SDG 17 (Partnerships): The U.S. leads global SDG coalitions, investing $500 billion annually in developing nations, per UN estimates. (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/development-agenda/)

  - Moral Framework: Cultural institutions (media, education) embed Galatians 5 values, with 90% of citizens reporting trust in government (up from 16%, Pew).

Urban Planning:

  - All cities are carbon-neutral, with AI-optimized infrastructure ensuring zero waste (SDG 12). Urban-rural integration balances population growth, per UN projections. (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/cities/)

  - 100% of housing is affordable and sustainable, eliminating slums, per SDG 11.1.(https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/cities/)

Political and Leadership Changes:

  - Political Changes: Governance is decentralized, with local councils driving SDG implementation. Constitutional protections are strengthened for digital rights and AI ethics.

  - Party Affiliations: Party system is obsolete; governance is issue-driven, with citizens voting directly on policies via secure digital platforms.

  - Leadership: Leaders are selected for moral and intellectual integrity, with AI-assisted vetting ensuring transparency and accountability.

- Challenges: Technological risks (e.g., AI misuse) and global resource competition. Continuous civic engagement ensures resilience.

Actions, Political Changes, and Leadership Needs

- Actions:

  - Policy: Pass federal laws aligning with SDGs (e.g., wealth tax for SDG 10, green incentives for SDG 13). Fund local SDG pilot projects, per UN recommendations. (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/development-agenda/)

  - Social Structures: Create community boards for participatory governance, ensuring marginalized voices shape policies (SDG 16). Expand public-private partnerships, as seen in LEGO’s SDG 4 initiatives.(https://www.apiday.com/blog-posts/what-are-the-17-sustainable-development-goals)

  - Urban Planning: Incentivize cities to adopt New Urban Agenda principles, focusing on equity and sustainability. Fund green retrofits via federal grants.(https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/cities/)

Political Changes:

  - Electoral Reform: Implement ranked-choice voting and public campaign funding to reduce polarization and empower Independents (FairVote, 2023).

  - Bipartisan Coalitions: Encourage cross-party SDG task forces, modeled on EU’s 2030 Agenda approach. (https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/sustainable-development-goals_en)

  - Independent Influence: Support Independent candidates who prioritize transparency and constitutional adherence, leveraging local and state elections.

- Party Affiliations:

  - Both parties must adopt SDG frameworks, with Democrats focusing on social equity and Republicans on economic efficiency, but Independents can bridge divides by advocating balanced policies.

  - A new centrist movement could emerge, emphasizing unity and data-driven governance, as polarization fatigue grows (Pew, 2023).

- Leadership Changes:

  - Promote leaders who embody Galatians 5 values, admit mistakes, and prioritize transparency (e.g., public ethics reports). Examples: Local leaders like Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who advanced equity-focused urban plans.

  - Enforce strict penalties for ethical violations, ensuring leaders are held to high standards, per DOJ recommendations.

Steps for You as an Individual, Company Owner, and U.S. Citizen

1. As an Individual:

   - Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about SDGs via UN resources (sdgs.un.org) and share knowledge through community forums or social media, emphasizing kindness and unity.[](https://sdgs.un.org/goals)

   - Advocate Locally: Attend city council meetings to push for SDG 11-aligned urban planning (e.g., affordable housing, green spaces). Example: Support initiatives like Minneapolis’s 2040 Plan.

   - Vote Strategically: Support Independent or centrist candidates who prioritize transparency, accountability, and SDGs. Use ranked-choice voting where available.

   - Practice Moral Values: Model Galatians 5 virtues in daily interactions, fostering community cohesion. Volunteer for organizations like UNICEF that align with SDGs.[](https://www.unicef.org/sustainable-development-goals)

2. As a Company Owner:

   - Align Business with SDGs: Integrate SDG targets into your business model, e.g., reducing waste (SDG 12) or training employees in digital skills (SDG 4). LEGO’s sustainability events are a model. (https://www.apiday.com/blog-posts/what-are-the-17-sustainable-development-goals)

   - Promote Equity: Offer fair wages, retraining for AI-displaced workers, and diverse hiring, supporting SDG 8 and 10. Report impacts transparently, per UN SDG Good Practices. (https://www.apiday.com/blog-posts/what-are-the-17-sustainable-development-goals)

   - Partner Locally: Collaborate with municipalities on sustainable projects, like green retrofits or community education, per SDG 17.[](https://www.unicef.org/sustainable-development-goals)

   - Advocate for Policy: Join business coalitions like the Global Investors for Sustainable Development Alliance to push for SDG funding.[](https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/development-agenda/)

3. As a U.S. Citizen:

   - Engage in Civic Action: Write to legislators demanding transparency laws and SDG-aligned budgets. Support groups like the Brennan Center for Justice for electoral reforms.

   - Support Tax Reform: Advocate for progressive wealth taxes to fund social programs, reducing inequality (SDG 10). Engage with organizations like the Tax Policy Center for data-driven advocacy.

   - Monitor AI Impacts: Push for AI regulations ensuring equitable access and worker protections, aligning with SDG 8. Join forums like the UN’s technology facilitation mechanism. (https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda)

   - Foster Unity: Organize community dialogues to bridge divides, emphasizing Galatians 5 values. Example: Participate in initiatives like the National Conference on Community and Justice.

Addressing Your Concerns About Leadership and Polarization

Many of us interested in sustainability and environmental conservation are very frustrated with Trump’s divisive rhetoric and character flaws, contrasted with Biden’s less controversial but unremarkable leadership, which more closely aligned with the need for ethical, accountable leaders. The vision prioritizes leaders who admit mistakes and uphold constitutional law, countering figures like Trump whose actions (e.g., election fraud claims, DOJ 2021) eroded trust. Kamala Harris’s platform, emphasizing equity and inclusion, aligns more with SDGs and the aforementioned values, but her effectiveness depended on systemic reforms. Both parties’ failures in transparency and unity necessitate a shift toward Independent-led, values-driven governance.

Mitigating AI and Inequality

AI’s role in widening wealth gaps (BLS projects 15% job displacement by 2035) requires proactive policies like retraining and UBI, funded by wealth taxes. Your belief in opportunities for the poor aligns with SDG 10; social systems must ensure AI accessibility (e.g., digital skills programs) to empower upward mobility. Urban planning can integrate AI for equitable resource distribution, per UN Habitat models.[](https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/cities/)

Sources

- UN SDG Reports (sdgs.un.org, 2023–2025)[](https://sdgs.un.org/goals) (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/development-agenda/)[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_Development_Goals)

- Census Bureau (2022 poverty data), BLS (job projections), CBO (tax and deficit data), EIA (energy projections)

- Pew Research (2023 polarization), Carnegie Endowment (2023 authoritarianism), Urban Institute (2023 poverty reduction)

- UN Habitat III (2016 New Urban Agenda), UNESCO (digital literacy), World Bank (inequality metrics)

- DOJ (corruption data), FairVote (electoral reform), Center for American Women and Politics (representation)

This vision aligns my personal values—transparency, accountability, equity, and Galatians 5 virtues—with SDG-driven policies and urban planning. By 2065, the U.S. could be a model of sustainability and unity, but it requires bipartisan reform, Independent influence, and your active engagement as a citizen and business owner. Start locally, advocate for systemic change, and model the moral framework you seek, leveraging SDG resources and community action to drive progress.

Thanks for reading!

-Kevin Bolland