AkzoNobel Supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals
As featured in the 2016 AkzoNobel Report
In 2015, countries around the world adopted a set of goals to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda. Devised by the United Nations, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out a comprehensive list of targets to be achieved by 2030, covering all three dimensions – economic, environmental and social – of sustainable development.
Although they are primarily aimed at governments, the SDGs also call on businesses to apply their creativity and innovation to help solve sustainable development challenges. An advantage for companies putting the SDGs at the heart of what they do is they can discover new growth opportunities and reduce their risk profile across the value chain.
Ultimately, the SDGs mean companies will increasingly pay for the cost of their negative impact on the environment and society, emphasizing the growing importance of radical resource efficiency. New business opportunities will also open up for companies that develop innovative solutions for tackling the challenges that the SDGs represent.
AkzoNobel takes this challenge to heart. In 2014, we were one of over 60 signatories of the Post-2015 Charter that committed to contributing to the achievement of the SDGs. Through our Planet Possible sustainability agenda and our global Human Cities initiative, we aim to be part of the solution.
Our contribution
We recognize that different companies impact each SDG to a different extent, subject to geography, sector and strategic profile. In 2016, we revised our review of the SDGs against our own agenda and priorities, in line with guidance from the SDG compass – a tool developed by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, UN Global Compact and Global Reporting Initiative. The findings revealed that we contribute, to varying degrees, to all the SDGs through our operations and supply chain, products and Human Cities initiative. There are a few where we can have a particular impact through our products or activities – including SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy; SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production; and SDG 13: Climate action. Our main focus areas are SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities and SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals, which are explained in more detail below.
Further information on our complete SDG mapping can be found in Note 3 of the Sustainability statements.
View the complete digital 2016 AkzoNobel Report here
