Corporate Organizations and the Sustainable Development Goals.
By: Oluwatobi Aigbogun
Tags: Development, Csr, Sdgs, Sustainable Development, Corporate Culture

Corporate Organizations and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Global Goals aren’t just the business of a select few or the United Nations alone. It is the business of every single person, government, nation, and all businesses worldwide.

In every nation, businesses usually carry out Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) where they conceive and birth projects that have social impact in their immediate environment. This is one way the communities around the company can benefit from the existence of such businesses in their locality.

Now with the rise of the 17 Global goals, corporate organizations can do more. The possibility of touching the world from the local standpoint is now more possible than ever before. Just as governments have their role to play, the private sector also has a critical role to play in ensuring the success of the Sustainable Development Goals. While the SDGs were being formulated back then in 2015, the pivotal role the Private Sector would play in its success was highlighted. As a matter of fact, the SDG document which was adopted and agreed upon by the 193 member nations of the UN stated that, “private business activities, investment, and innovation are major drivers of productivity, inclusive economic growth and job creation.”

In most economies of the world –especially those that are capitalist in nature, the private sector is the main driver of the economy. Many changes and development in such nations can be traced to the active roles the private sector plays. If the private sector can play such vital roles that lead to the development and growth of nations, it follows that they can also be instrumental in the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.

More so, the combination of corporate organizations and government will further help to accomplish the goals.

One of the beautiful things about the SDGs is the fact that corporate organizations have different options to pick from and they can pick the goals that align the most with their mission and vision.

For instance, Companies like Visa has aligned itself with the goal that addresses poverty. This they do by bringing financial services to the underserved.

General Mills gives mills to local food banks. By so doing, they are solving and reducing the problem of global hunger.

Microsoft through its YouthSpark Program helps young people acquire computer skills. This in itself will help to ensure that young people get decent work and this will translate to economic growth.

Siemens aligns itself with communities that foster green and sustainable economic solutions. By moving into renewable energy, we can build sustainable cities and communities.

JetBlue teaches their customers and crew about climate change. Proper orientation and information about the challenges of climate change will help curb wrong behaviour and actions that affects our environment.

Discovery Channel support clean oceans. This means that life of organisms in water can now be protected.

These are just few examples of the many companies all over the globe who have aligned themselves to one goal or the other and are contributing their quota to see change happen.

How can corporate organizations really help in achieving the goals?

*Job Creation: No government can fully carry out all its operations without the support of the private sector and foreign direct investment. Corporate organizations provide jobs to the populace of whatever country they are in. As these organizations expand, more people are employed.

The Nigerian banking sector and manufacturing sectors employ thousands of Nigerians thereby reducing the unemployment rate. The activities of these corporations help to generate jobs and income needed to overcome poverty.

*Expertise: Corporate organizations often have some of the most brilliant and competent personnel working within them. The combined effort of this highly intelligent and competent personnel can help to tackle the national problems inherent in their countries. Moreso, they will be able to lend their skills, expertise, and knowledge to tackle some of the global problems the SDGs seek to solve.