Explore the SDG Sustainability Roadmap

Concrete steps to drive on SDGs

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the United Nations blueprint to deliver a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable society for both people and planet. Academic publishers play a pivotal role in helping to achieve these goals, both through their own organizational policies but also through the knowledge published in journals and books. Yet, it can be overwhelming for publishers to translate the SDG’s broad goals that seek to end poverty, address climate action and bring about gender equality to their daily work and organization.

STM, the leading voice for academic publishers, has created a roadmap that contains suggested concrete steps for all publishers, both big and small. From those just at the start of their journey, to others who already advanced and looking to accelerate.

Designed to inspire and support, this roadmap strives to equip colleagues across our sector by matching the practical steps with a dedicated toolkit of resources and examples to get everyone to take action towards achieving the SDGs today. 

 

A LEVELED APPROACH

to achieving the SDGs

Level 1: Getting Started

Guidance, tools and tips to initiate internal discussions about SDGs, raise awareness, and assess your organisation’s current sustainability status and ambitions. Here, you set the wheels in motion for progress. 

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Level 2: Gaining Traction

Deepen your organisation’s commitment through formal integration of SDG goals, providing resources for community mobilization, and implementing systematic changes for impact.

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NEW! Level 3: Advancing SDGs Together

Take targeted action on the SDGs with curated resources, case studies, and insights focused on measurable impact. Level 3 supports deep engagement with selected SDG targets and showcases how collective efforts across the publishing community can drive impact.

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The Latest from STM

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Protecting Progress: The Case for Staying Committed to Sustainability in 2025

*In the media *Social Responsibility 07/22/25

The framework of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has, over the past decade, generated a tremendous amount of global cooperation, innovation, and support to drive transformative change within our communities. This might be attributed to the global nature of the challenges, as the SDG framework sets out to address universal issues from climate change…

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Join STM’s Social Responsibility Committee

*Announcements *Social Responsibility 06/17/25

Are you part of an STM member organisation and looking for a way to get more involved? STM’s Social Responsibility Committee is in need of three new members. The term runs two to three years, and the committee meets monthly to take action for equitable, inclusive and sustainable practices in scholarly publishing. Learn more about STM’s…

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Now live: Level 3 of the SDG Sustainability Roadmap | Driving targeted action for global impact

*Announcements *Core Services *Social Responsibility 06/09/25

STM is proud to announce the launch of Level 3 of its SDG Sustainability Roadmap, a new benchmark for how academic publishers can contribute meaningfully to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Building on the foundations set in Levels 1 & 2, this advanced stage equips organisations with the tools to deliver focused, targeted actions…

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Spotlight on accessibility: resources, best practices and a chance to connect

*Announcements *Social Responsibility 04/14/25

This month, STM’s Social Responsibility Committee is focusing on accessibility. We kicked things off with a dynamic panel discussion exploring inclusive publishing practices at our US conference earlier this month. We’ve also launched a new online Accessibility Resource Centre offering members practical guidance and tools to support accessible publishing. Preparing for the EU Accessibility Act?…

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