The 2030 Sustainability Agenda Relies on Collaboration
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The 2030 Sustainability Agenda Relies on Collaboration

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Sofía Garduño By Sofía Garduño | Journalist & Industry Analyst - Thu, 11/10/2022 - 16:55

The UN 2030 Agenda aims to draw the path towards a sustainable future by strengthening peace and assuring global prosperity. However, the hostile international context has hampered this journey and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is far from becoming a reality. To face this scenario, companies play a key role as promoters of sustainable practices to progress towards a greener reality. 

 

“Companies have to take a look at their DNA and embrace actions to advance environmental sustainability,” said Daniel Ríos, AVP External Affairs and Sustainability, AT&T.

 

The pandemic posed challenges to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. Scientists have even mentioned that the “transformation” brought on by the Goals has been mainly rhetorical. Data collected so far shows that years of development have been set back due to the pandemic. For example, for the first time in 20 years, the working poverty rate increased in 2020. It is also expected that gender parity in managerial positions will take over 100 years to be achieved, as female workers were more affected by the pandemic, as reported by the International Labor Organization.

 

In 2021, Mexico had a compliance index of 70.4 with the SDGs, according to the UN. “Mexico's participation in different international forums gives us hope that the country is committed to taking environmental action. However, all sectors must be involved in this,” said Ignacio González Quirasco, Sustainability and CSR Director, Chedraui. The country’s main challenges are linked to the reduction of inequalities and the generation of inclusive growth and decent jobs. The country also has to address industrial innovation and infrastructure, the life of land ecosystems, peace and justice and generate solid institutions, reported the UN. “The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has inaugurated a new era of global development marked by an imperative to integrate social, environmental and economic objectives,” wrote Ulises Neri, Vice Chair, UN, in MBN

 

The public sector’s limited support of private industries is also slowing Mexico as the country strives to achieve its sustainable goals. Mexico is in a complex environment regarding regulations of green and renewable energies. “Government policies are not favorable right now. We can and have to continue our efforts toward a greener world despite contradictory policies,” said Felipe Villareal, CEO, Alian Plastics.

 

To face this problem, experts agree that companies have to rely on partnerships to have a truly positive impact and speed the achievement of SDGs. “Change is about a partnership between stakeholders and enterprises. Stakeholders set expectations and enterprises lead with innovation,” said Peter Harris, Vice President of International Sustainability, UPS.

 

“Governments, corporations and the civil society cannot achieve SDGs by themselves, we need to collaborate. There is a shared responsibility to achieve the 2030 Agenda,” said Ríos. 

 

Achieving sustainable development in Mexico implies having the mechanisms and tools that allow companies to measure progress and improvement opportunities. Above all, it requires a common purpose that must be based on agreements and serious commitments from all stakeholders.

 

The SDGs set a benchmark that companies can use to “help them to adjust and articulate their business models, identify opportunities for improvement or find new market niches, but these benefits or efficiencies should not only be accounted for the company but for society as a whole,” according to the UN.

 

Innovation is an essential element to speed up this process as technology is one of the few things that will help countries reach the 2030 objectives faster. “Innovation is the weapon we all have to rely on,” said Karen Mora, Sustainability Director, FUNO. It is also essential to include all types of businesses in this process, no matter their size or purpose. 

 

“We need to close the digital gap in Mexico. We need to promote digitalization of small businesses: they are the backbone for GDP development,” said Ríos.

 

Aside from benefiting the environment, the implementation of these strategies will allow businesses to meet the demands of consumers, which are urging for more transparency regarding the sustainable practices that companies implement. “Consumers decide which companies to approach depending on their responsibility toward the environment,” said Villareal. “If we do not address the expectations of customers, we face the risk of losing our connection with them,” said Harris. 

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