Why Sustainable Development Makes Good Business Sense

Author:
Paul Polman

CEO, Unilever

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the fundamental cornerstone to secure future economic and business growth by eradicating poverty in an inclusive way, while protecting the environment.

It is not possible to have a strong, functioning business in a world of increasing inequality, poverty and climate change. The private sector has a unique opportunity to embrace the Global Goals agenda and recognise it as a driver of sustainable business strategies, innovation and investment decisions. Why? Because doing so makes good business sense and will give them an edge over their competitors.

The SDGs offer the greatest economic opportunity of our lifetime. With an estimated investment of $2-3 trillion a year, the potential value that can be unlocked for society will be immense. In some sectors it is estimated to be worth hundreds of billions, and even more in others. This is a very high payout for this global agenda and markets are already starting to react.

The article's full-text is available here.

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