Goal 9 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 9) is an attempt to address the need to build sustainable, resilient, and innovative infrastructure.
A brief guide has been released on pursuing the SDG 9 goals through your own industry and company.
Industry, infrastructure, and innovation are critical determinants of economic growth and the creation of social value. Sustainable industrialization has the greatest potential to take numerous communities out of poverty, but for this to be done, it has to be micro-managed to avoid putting any kind of additional strain on people and the environment.
Quality and reliable infrastructure are critical to industrialization and overall economic prosperity. Without it, communities and businesses will continue to be denied access to markets, high-quality goods and services, as well as job opportunities.
Additionally, large corporations add value to SDG 9 by influencing their own and others' practices. Internally, they highly promote intrapreneurship and ethical leadership to implement a corporate culture that constantly encourages innovation and commercial activities all the while putting inclusion and sustainability first.
This can also lead the way in enhancing and repurposing infrastructure and industry resources across supply chain operations to ensure sustainability and resilience.
With that being said, here are a few examples of actions corporations can begin to implement:
- Remodel current infrastructure and make it more sustainable in developing countries.
- Encourage innovation for all stakeholders.
- Set standards and promote regulations to ensure company projects are sustainable.
- Bring R&D capabilities to developing countries.