The key role of business
- Aging, degraded or non-existent
infrastructure makes conducting good business challenging. Business relies
on materials, resources, labor and
service support from all corners of the world and the ability to access them
efficiently is key to establishing new markets. Computing and technology-based
skills are of significant value to most businesses today, and consumers of
common goods and services live on every continent. However, basic
infrastructure supporting technologies, communications, transportation, and
sanitation that business relies on is not universally available, hindering
economic growth and societal progress.
- This presents an opportunity for
business. By committing to sustainable industrialization and promoting
innovation across company operations, businesses can contribute to development
efforts in the regions in which they operate through upgrading local infrastructure,
investing in resilient energy and communications technologies, and making these
technologies available to all people, including marginalized groups, who might
not have access otherwise. Global companies can also promote inclusive
infrastructure development by bringing valuable financial services and
employment opportunities to smaller and/or minority-owned businesses.
Key
business themes addressed by this SDG
- Infrastructure
investments
- Access
to financial services
- Environmental
investments
- Research
and development
- Technological
legacies
Examples
of key business actions and solutions (non-exhaustive)
- Invest
in new, resilient infrastructure in developing countries or retrofit existing
infrastructure to make it more sustainable.
- Expand
the geographic reach of research and development facilities, bringing R&D
capabilities to developing countries.
- Promote
innovation by giving all stakeholders the opportunity to offer creative
solutions to sustainability challenges. Further scope out the good ideas and
offer awards to the best.
- Consult
and engage a wide range of stakeholders, including minority groups, to ensure
that infrastructure development benefits and creates opportunities for all.
- Establish
standards and promote regulation that ensure company projects and initiatives
are sustainably managed.
- Collaborate
with NGOs and the public sector to help promote sustainable growth within
developing countries.