Why Businesses Should Use Design Thinking to Advance the Sustainable Development Goals. What do the Sustainable Development Goals have to do with business or design thinking? For businesses that care about people and the planet, plenty! By Krista Aspiras. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were established by the United Nations to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. The 17 goals, adopted by 193 participating UN countries, lay out the global a