SDG-CHECK TOOL
The SDG-Check tool is built on an online checklist and a stepwise approach with two levels of detail focusing on the 17 SDGs (level 1) and their sub-goals (level 2). The goals are evaluated based on a seven-step scale ranging from -3 (severe risk) to +3 (high opportunity).
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The SDG-Check focuses on potential effects an innovation could have regarding the 17 goals and their sub-goals. The SDG-Check is designed to raise consciousness about these goals and their thematic diversity, so that the stakeholders are more attentive to options to integrate these goals in business modelling. The definition of sustainability employed within this process is that of overall sustainability in terms of its alignment with the goals, and not specific measures such as carbon dioxide emissions. The tool’s objective is to identify potential sustainability effects (risks and opportunities) of an innovation within (early-stage) development processes. It should enable orientation and a common understanding of sustainability goals and to inspire ideation processes as well as business models.
Step 1
Step 1 (level 1) of the SDG-Check serves to estimate whether the innovation creates opportunities or risks concerning the 17 SDGs. To do this, it is estimated whether the innovations have positive or negative potential with regard to the 17 SDGs using a seven-step scale.
Step 2
Step 2 (level 2) of the SDG-Check can be applied during the innovation process. Here, the focus is on the sub-goals of the SDGs and, for usability reasons, only for a selected number of SDGs. The selection covers the six main goals of Step 1 that were evaluated with the highest values related to opportunities (3 goals) and risks (3 goals). The participants evaluate the sub-goals in terms of opportunities and risks also using the seven-step scale (ranging from -3 to +3).
The tool’s target group is members of multidisciplinary innovation teams, such as engineers, designers, and sustainability and non-sustainability experts. The results of the tool are based on self-assessment by individuals or groups. The usability criteria (ISO 9241-210, 2010) for the tool are the following:
The results of the SDG-Check should be transparent and comparable, for example, with assessments of users or with later assessments
The application should be intuitive and understandable
Sustainability knowledge should not be required
The time needed for the individual tool application should be less than 20 minutes
Questionnaire
This questionnaire follows the application of the SDG-Check, giving a set of questions and premises according to which the success of the SDG-Check in service of the project can be evaluated.
