While there are various metrics and frameworks for measuring and tracking sustainability, those adopted by the United Nations lead the group in terms of awareness, according to a new survey.

The U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) are the primary framework by which businesses globally identify and target effective sustainable strategies, based on a survey of 200 businesses globally conducted by Omdia and IoT World Today.

However, awareness does not necessarily translate to adoption.

While 71% of businesses are aware of the U.N. SDGs, 34% are using them while 37% are not, according to the survey.

The SDGs were adopted in 2015 and include 17 mission statements based on the principle of “leaving no one behind.” Many are concerned with humanitarian goals, such as no poverty, equal education and gender equality, though they also include affordable and clean energy, responsible consumption and production and the creation of sustainable cities.

Sustainability is becoming something of an imperative for businesses, though it can be challenging to measure sustainable actions.

For example, at the recent IBM Think conference in Orlando, speakers said sustainability is now a strong narrative from companies, though there remains a need for them to tangibly prove their adherence to sustainable guidelines. 

Related:Sustainability Strategies Lacking in Business, Survey Finds

“Companies have communicated sustainability goals,” said Kendra DeKeyrel, ESG and asset management product leader at IBM. “They put it out there, they communicate, and they want to achieve a certain goal. But the hard part comes when you actually take the steps to operationalize your business to meet those sustainability goals."

Awareness and adoption of the U.N. SDGs was consistent across company sizes in the survey.

Other frameworks businesses are aware of include the Global Reporting Initiative Standards, Carbon Disclosure Project and the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

Sustainability is becoming a topic at large business meetings, such as IBM Think and a recent PTC event.

At the PTC LiveWorx conference in Boston, the company announced it has expanded its collaboration with Ansys and aPriori to support the environmental sustainability goals of manufacturers.

PTC also signed the Science Based Targets initiative commitment letter, pledging both near-term emissions reductions and long-term net-zero targets.

Next: The biggest challenges to sustainability initiatives