SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Investment in infrastructure and innovation are crucial drivers of economic growth and development. With over half the world population now living in cities, mass transport and renewable energy are becoming ever more important, as are the growth of new industries and information and communication technologies.
Technological progress is also key to finding lasting solutions to both economic and environmental challenges, such as providing new jobs and promoting energy efficiency. Promoting sustainable industries, and investing in scientific research and innovation, are all important ways to facilitate sustainable development.
More than 4 billion people still do not have access to the Internet, and 90 percent are from the developing world. Bridging this digital divide is crucial to ensure equal access to information and knowledge, as well as foster innovation and entrepreneurship. (UNDP, 2015)
Companies that are achieving this are:
Capitaland (SGX:C31, OTC:CLLDY)
Industry: Real Estate Development
Headquartered in: Singapore
CapitaLand is committed to:
• Transit to low-carbon business and reduce energy consumption through improved energy efficiency and increase use of renewable energy
• Green our global operational portfolio by 2030
• Reduce water consumption, reuse water and prevent water pollution, especially in countries where the availability of clean water and sanitation are of concern
• Actively embrace innovation to ensure commercial viability without compromising the environment for future generations
• Future-proof our developments by addressing the risks of climate change right from the design stage
• Preserve the biodiversity of our sites as well as the wider area where possible
• Build safe, accessible, vibrant and quality real estate developments to enhance the lives of our shoppers, tenants, serviced residence and hotel guests, homeowners and members of the community. Capitaland has managed to achieve a 53.8% reduction in carbon
emissions intensity since 20081, 36 green building ratings for our new development projects and existing buildings
• S$270 million in utilities cost avoidance since 2009, arising from 40.2% and 52.6% energy and water reduction (per m² from base year 2008) respectively
Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO)
Industry: Internet Services & Infrastructure, Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals
Headquartered in: US
1. We have a centralized Chief Privacy Office with regional officers leading each of the three major regions where we do business. Each regional officer chairs a Regional Privacy Council for their respective territory to ensure we are addressing local and country laws in our global approach. 2. We have certified our enterprisewide program to EU Binding Corporate Rules, APEC Cross-Border Privacy Rules system and Privacy Recognition for Processors, and the EU/UK/Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield. 3. In the U.S., we continue to call for federal privacy legislation that ensures a consistent baseline of protection for all users. 4. We are active in advising governments and academia and participating in industry working groups to help develop better collective cyberresilience strategies and spearheading agreements to share threat intelligence with select organizations, such as NATO and Interpol, to jointly fight cybercrime
Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY)
Industry: Pharmaceuticals
Headquartered in: US
Lilly is partnering with industry peers and other organizations with proven track records to deliver community-based health care to 1.7 million people in up to six African countries. It also works with leading disaster relief organizations to provide medicines and support people and communities to help them recover.
Accenture (NYSE:ACN)
Industry: IT Consulting & Other Services
Headquartered in: Ireland
Created a social impact accelerator, which supports Social Innovators across Accenture with booster funding, connections and coaching to design social innovation at speed. Within six months of its launch, more than 90 teams with over 360 people and more than 90 innovation partners—including more than 35 clients participated in the Accelerator. Projects include expanding access to essential health care services in Canada; to closing the digital divide for school children in Colombia, India, Slovakia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States; to virtualizing services for nonprofits and small businesses in Japan, Mexico, Portugal and Spain