PCA Trajectory 2030

Raise the bar for ESG leadership and become SDG-Proof!

What is the PCA2030 Sustainability Trajectory?

This trajectory is an initiative of CIFAL Flanders, empowered by UNITAR.

PCA stands for SDG Pioneer, SDG Champion, and SDG Ambassador. They reflect three levels of ambition in our PCA2030 Trajectory for realising the SDGs.

2030 refers to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs.

Trajectory concerns the path on which organisations embark to learn, implement and communicate on the SDGs. Each ambition level is rewarded by a UNITAR Training Certificate of Completion.

What is the added value?

Every organisation already touches upon elements of sustainability. However, sometimes organisations need a push to raise their level of ambition in line with the SDGs. The goal of the PCA2030 Sustainability Trajectory is to offer your organisation the tools needed to:

  • Elevate your organisation’s sustainability ambitions to actively shape a sustainable future
  • Contribute as a co-creator in the pursuit of Agenda 2030 objectives
  • Develop a robust time-resilient strategy for your organisation that integrates sustainability principles and SDGs
  • Engage in CIFAL Flanders’ dynamic sustainability learning network for ongoing growth and progress
  • Prioritise an outside-in approach aligned with Agenda 2030 for effective implementation

The PCA2030 Sustainability Trajectory uses an outside-in approach to sustainability, meaning that the sustainability goals are set based on external, societal or global needs. 

WHAT IS THE TRAJECTORY BASED UPON?

ISO26000

The International Organization for Standardization ( ISO) developed to ISO26000 to help organisations contribute to sustainable development and encourage them to go beyond mere legal compliance.

THE SDGs

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, GOVERNANCE (ESG)

OTHER INSPIRATIONAL SOURCES

What ARE THE THREE AMBITION LEVELS?

Each step of the PCA2030 Trajectory requires a higher level of ambition in realising the SDGs: from strategic implementation ( Pioneer) through transition ( Champion) to a human rights due diligence approach of sustainable development ( Ambassador).

During each level of the PCA2030 Trajectory, the level of ambition increases as well as the scope of impact, going from internal in the organisation to community-level impact towards supporting the SDGs on a global scale.

WHAT ARE THE SIX WORKING FIELDS?

For each ambition level of the trajectory, there is a checklist of tasks to be completed. Those are clustered around 6 working fields.

The content of each working field is transversal through all three levels of the PCA2030 Sustainability Trajectory. The ambition level and scope of impact increases going from one level to the next. Requirement themes in all three levels are the following:

Learn

  • Internal capacity building within the organisation: raising SDG and ESG awareness
  • Participating in external conferences, workshops, symposia etc.
  • External sharing of best practices and knowledge towards society

Organise

  • Organisational structure: embedding sustainability in the organisational organogram
  • Organisational culture: openness towards critical sustainability issues

Formulate

  • Mission, vision & values
  • Ambitions and action plans
  • Policy papers (human rights, gender equality etc.) and codes of conduct

Implement

  • Executing the action plan

Evaluate

  • Permanent monitoring based on KPIs

Communicate

  • Internal reporting
  • External reporting
  • Integrated sustainability reporting (according to the CSRD)

What are important learning objectives and deliverables for each level?

SDG PIONEER

This is the first level of the PCA 2030 Programme to become SDG-Proof. This level focuses on the integration of the SDGs transversally throughout your organisation, representing an outside-in approach. The completion of the SDG Pioneer level usually requires 1 to 3 years.

Important learning objectives for SDG Pioneers:

  • Understanding the 5 Ps, 17 SDGs and the 169 targets of the Agenda 2030
  • Understanding the holistic approach of the SDGs
  • Understanding the business case for the SDGs
  • Defining the lead SDG(s) of your organisation

Important deliverables expected from SDG Pioneers:

  • The appointment of an internal SDG taskforce and SPOC
  • A purpose (mission) and vision which reflect a commitment to sustainable development
  • An SDG impact assessment
  • An SDG action plan with SMART objectives

SDG CHAMPION

This is the second level of the PCA2030 Trajectory to become SDG-PROOF. The SDG Champion strives for true transition and its sustainability policy contributes to the systemic change needed to fulfil the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The completion of the SDG Champion level usually requires 2 to 3 years.

Important learning objectives for SDG Champions:

  • Understanding the concept of strong sustainability and transition
  • Joining trainings about and engages in good business ethics and good governance principles
  • Becoming a member of organisations and networks that focus on sustainability and transition
  • Stakeholder mapping, ranking and engagement

Important deliverables expected from SDG Champions:

  • An adjustment of the SDG action plan based on stakeholder feedback
  • A code of ethics
  • A pilot project that drives sustainability and transition
  • A periodic report that integrates the SDGs

SDG AMBASSADOR

This is the third and final level of the PCA2030 Trajectory to become SDG-PROOF. This level focuses on human rights due diligence, among other things. The completion of this level will require 1 to 2 years.

Important learning objectives for SDG Ambassadors:

  • Understanding human rights due diligence and the link with the SDGs
  • Understanding and implementing integrated reporting based on a recognised reporting system such as the GRI
  • Understanding the link between sustainable development, international cooperation and solidarity

Important deliverables expected from SDG Ambassadors:

  • Implementing a human rights due diligence strategy
  • Reporting on the progress of the sustainability actions and realisation of the SDGs on a frequent and integrated manner based on a recognised reporting system
  • Engaging in a pilot project that contributes to the SDGs in the Global South
  • Initiating a recurring multi-stakeholder advisory board
  • Establishing a scientifically proven sustainability plan of action

How can you join the trajectory? 

The PCA2030 Sustainability Trajectory is meant for all actors in society (governmental institutions, micro-, small-, medium- and multinational enterprises, higher education services, civil society organisations etc.). There are several ways to join the trajectory, based on your location, industry, or specific needs. The trajectory is an initiative of CIFAL Flanders in collaboration with several trajectory partners.

CIFAL Flanders

The PCA2030 Sustainability Trajectory can be joined as a partner of CIFAL Flanders’ SDG Learning Network. We use a multi-stakeholder approach so each organisation can join our network. A trajectory can start at any given time and is tailored to the organisation’s specific needs. 

The price setting is differentiated based upon the type of organisation joining this trajectory.

If you are interested in entering the PCA2030 Trajectory or would like to receive more information on the pricing or the trajectory itself, please do not hesitate to   contact us.

In Belgium

VOKA – VCDO

Flemish enterprises can join the trajectory via the Chambers of Commerce Flanders’ (Voka) Charter for Sustainable Entrepreneurship (VCDO). 

Aftermovie Voka Day Sustainable Entrepreneurship (2021)

CCIW – Certificat développement durable

Walloon enterprises can join the trajectory via CCIW’s programme to obtain the certificate CCI Wallonie en développement durable.

IDEA CONSULT – PIONEER PROGRAMME

Flemish local governments can join the trajectory via the IDEA Consult’s Pioneer Programme.

GOODPLANET Belgium 

Civil Society Organisations can join the trajectory via GoodPlanet Belgium’s SDG Pioneer Guidance Programme.

In the Netherlands

Global Goals COMMUNITY

Dutch organisations can join the trajectory via the PCA2030 Trajectory of Global Goals Community, in alliance with H3ROES and NextLevelUp.

You?

Are you interested in starting the PCA2030 Sustainability Trajectory in collaboration with CIFAL Flanders in your region or for a specific target group? Do not hesitate to contact us!

UNITAR learning Certificate of Completion

The completion of each level is rewarded with a unique  UNITAR Certificate of Completion. The UNITAR certificates are not technical, but are certificates of learning, implementing and communicating on the SDGs.

  • Each phase takes around 2 years to complete
  • An external jury evaluates the fulfillment criteria for each phase
  • The certificate is valid for 3 years

meET OUR

SDG PIONEERS

meET OUR

SDG CHAMPIONS

meET OUR

SDG AMBASSADORS

Also interested to become part of our SDG Learning Network?

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