Standards for a Sustainable Future: NEMA’s Role in Advancing the UN SDGs
With a 100-year old legacy as a leading Standards Development Organization, NEMA is driving the future of energy and sustainability. Our more than 1,000 standards and technical documents are the backbone of the electroindustry, accelerating the energy transition and promoting sustainable practices worldwide. Half of NEMA’s technical documents correlate with one or more of the UN SDGs.
As we celebrate World Standards Week, we’re spotlighting how our robust standards are powering real progress and shaping the global conversation around sustainability in the electrical and manufacturing sectors.
UN SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Affordable and clean energy is vital for sustainable development, and NEMA’s standards play a significant role in promoting energy efficiency. A total of 43 NEMA documents correlate with UN SDG 7. Through programs like the Premium Motor Program, NEMA sets guidelines for high-efficiency electric motors, which reduce energy consumption and lower carbon emissions. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that this program will save 5,800 gigawatt-hours of electricity and cut 80 million tons of carbon emissions.
UN SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
NEMA supports the electroindustry, a sector that employs over 460,000 skilled workers in the United States and contributes 1% to the nation’s GDP. Beyond job creation, the industry fosters innovation and technological advancements, promoting a healthy, growing economy. By ensuring that industry standards keep pace with evolving technologies, NEMA helps maintain a dynamic, innovative sector that provides high-quality jobs and strengthens the global economy.
UN SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
SDG 9 focuses on building resilient infrastructure, fostering innovation, and promoting sustainable industrialization—a total of 170 NEMA documents correlate to this goal. For instance, NEMA’s lighting controls and systems enable more efficient lighting solutions in commercial and industrial settings, reducing energy consumption by up to 50% in manufacturing facilities. These standards help businesses and industries retrofit their operations for sustainability, while also resilient infrastructure development, crucial for long-term global growth.
UN SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Responsible consumption and production are key to minimizing environmental impact, and NEMA promotes this through innovations such as electronic labeling (e-labeling). By reducing the need for physical labels and paper documentation, e-labeling conserves resources and cuts waste throughout the product lifecycle. This not only aligns with SDG 12’s goal of reducing the environmental footprint of production processes, but it also encourages manufacturers to adopt sustainable practices without compromising on product safety or quality. NEMA’s work in this area promotes more responsible production within the electroindustry, setting a global example for resource efficiency.
UN SDG 13: Climate Action
Climate action requires proactive measures to limit the effects of climate change and adapt to its impacts. NEMA plays a critical role in this effort by developing grid resiliency guidelines that help communities prepare for and recover from climate-related disasters. With 10 documents mapped to SDG 13, NEMA provides standards for evaluating and restoring electrical equipment after events like floods, fires, or earthquakes, ensuring the continuity of reliable energy systems. By promoting these resiliency strategies, NEMA contributes to building sustainable, climate-resilient infrastructure that can withstand future environmental challenges.
Amplifying the Global Impact of Standards for Sustainability
NEMA’s work in developing and maintaining standards goes beyond ensuring product safety or compliance—it actively promotes sustainability in the electroindustry and drives global progress toward the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. From fostering energy efficiency and innovation to encouraging responsible production practices and building climate resilience, NEMA’s standards are integral to advancing global sustainability while shaping a future that is both innovative and sustainable for generations to come.
