3 Leadership Lessons from the Dutch SDG Barometer 2024

As we pass the midpoint toward achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, the Dutch SDG Barometer 2024 offers critical insights into how organisations in the Netherlands are progressing. For NGOs, foundations, and purpose-driven organisations, this report is more than a wake-up call—it’s a blueprint for the leadership transformation required to accelerate impact.

Key Insights for Leaders

1. Leadership as a Catalyst for Change

   • The SDG Barometer reveals that senior management now holds the responsibility for SDG-related initiatives in nearly half of Dutch organisations. This shift underscores that sustainability is no longer a peripheral issue; it demands strategic leadership embedded at the highest levels.

2. The Strategy Gap

   • While 91% of organizations are familiar with the SDGs, integrating them into strategy remains a challenge. A significant 21% report low sustainability maturity, often due to a lack of clear frameworks or dedicated resources.

3. From Talk to Action

   • The Barometer highlights the need for leaders to move beyond declarations. With 76% of organizations increasing focus on sustainability, the real differentiator is measuring impact and aligning resources to deliver results

The SDGs need action. Your leadership can make it happen.

Source: Dutch SDG Barometer 2024, conducted by AMSIB, Maastricht University, and TIAS School for Business and Society