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On November 13th, the 3rd Report of this Observatory was launched at the Catholic University of Portugal. It brings together the results from the third year of data collection of this project.

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The event gathered a wide range of business leaders from more than 20 large multinational companies operating in Portugal, as well as several SMEs, along with participants from the public sector and the national government.

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The opening was delivered by the Rector of the Catholic University of Portugal, Professor Isabel Capeloa Gil, and the closing by the Dean of CATÓLICA-LISBON, Professor Filipe Santos. Both clearly highlighted that the unstable world in which we live increasingly requires responsible leadership, including from companies, which play a central role in the transformation the world needs.

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In this world, where companies represent around 75% of global GDP, the Center for Responsible Business and Leadership positions itself as a flagship for a very clear message: sustainability is the only viable path for corporate strategy. It is the guarantee of positive financial results and competitive advantage, as it aligns business success with societal success and prosperity.

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Regarding the data presented, the study offers encouraging results. The majority of companies view the SDGs as a business opportunity (87.9% of large companies and 66.7% of SMEs). These companies also consider the SDGs in their decision-making processes (79.3% of large companies and 66.7% of SMEs). 98.3% of large companies and 13.6% of SMEs publish a Sustainability Report, but they do not stop there: they are also referencing the SDGs more in their reports than in previous years (93% for large companies and 72.2% for SMEs). In addition to the SDGs, the ESG concept has also strongly entered business practice this year.

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Evidence of this is shown by the data indicating that, in 2024, 86.2% of large companies (67.2% last year) and 16.7% of SMEs (7.4% last year) are familiar with the new European reporting legislation (CSRD) and have someone responsible for its implementation.

Many more insights can be found in the Report published on the project website. For now, here are some of the main conclusions:

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The strategic alignment of Portuguese companies with the SDGs and sustainability has increased for the third consecutive year, with large companies leading this agenda compared to SMEs;

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Companies continue to face barriers in implementing the SDGs, related to lack of knowledge about the topic and about how to operationalize the SDGs, as well as the perception that the SDGs are a language that feels distant to them (large companies), and lack of resources (SMEs);

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The main motivations for implementing this agenda are linked to business and competitiveness, or the desire to lead in solving social and environmental problems.

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This study also includes three research notes on the following topics:

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Corporate Governance: Strategic Alignment with Sustainability

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Balancing Profit and Purpose: The Strategic Integration of the Sustainable Development Goals for Corporate Success

Sustainability Reporting: Incorporation and Strategic Communication of the SDGs

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It is therefore in a context of extreme global instability, where data shows that only 16% of SDG targets are on track to be achieved by 2030, that Portuguese companies stand out as leaders in sustainability topics.

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The Center for Responsible Business and Leadership at CATÓLICA-LISBON has been a pioneer in researching these topics and in maintaining close collaboration with both large companies and SMEs. It aims to bridge scientific knowledge and business practice through three main pillars: organizational purpose that guides companies in increasingly demanding environments, the Business Case for Action, which demonstrates how sustainability drives economic and financial success, and Responsible Leadership, which is increasingly essential in a world lacking leaders capable of guiding us toward true prosperity.

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It is in the most difficult contexts that the most resilient leaders are forged. Therefore, in these volatile and uncertain times in which we live, resilient companies will be able to capture a unique market position if, by looking beyond the short term, they are capable of generating value and prosperity for all stakeholders and society. Both the SDG Observatory and the Center for Responsible Business and Leadership, its promoter, conclude this annual cycle by reinforcing their commitment to collaborating with Portuguese companies on the path toward true business success (on which societal success also depends).

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Filipa Pires de Almeida

Executive Director – Center for Responsible Business and Leadership