The UN SDGs - Building a Sustainable Business

Pascal Huijbers
Note: This is an automatically generated Transcript so there might be small errors in the transcription.

Thank you for listening and welcome to the tech for good podcast we will talk about technology and the impact that it can have on the future. And today's topic is about the SDGs, the Sustainable Development Goals defined by the United Nations. And we will have an interview with David gentle who is an expert on technology also in the context of SDGs. In the second part of the podcast, I have an interview with Claudia Escobar, she's the head of marketing of the United Nations Global Compact.

So Good day, and welcome to the technical goods podcast. Today we have David gentle in the podcast. Thanks for joining David.

David Gentle
Hi, there. Thanks for having me.

Pascal Huijbers
Yeah. Thank you for being in the podcast today. I think you're calling in from the UK, right?

David Gentle
That's right. Yeah, I'm here in the West Country.

Pascal Huijbers
So David, can you please introduce yourself to the audience, so we get a bit of understanding what you're doing in your daily life.

David Gentle
Sure, yeah. So I'm David gentle. My title is director of strategy and foresight at Fujitsu. My role is really to look forward at the trends that we're seeing around technology and help to align that with what we as an organization doing both in terms of the way that we're developed moving forward, and also the way that we can use technology hopefully to deliver sort of better outcomes not just for our company, but for for wider society.

Pascal Huijbers
One of the things going on currently are the Sustainable Development Goals, the SDGs Can you explain what your views on this and what's really going on with you as a US? Yes,

David Gentle
So SDGs are absolutely fantastic development, in my view, that the SDGs essentially there are a set of standards for Sustainable Development Goals. And it's been produced by the United Nations in Wide consultation with with a lot of stakeholders from around the world. And effectively what they are are 17 goals that we as a society should be aiming to achieve by the date of 2030. So they've set that in 10 years time, they actually created these goals, I think around 2016. So they've been around a few a few years, I think people are getting much more sort of awareness of them over over the last couple of years. Now, the Sustainable Development Goals really say that there's 17 of them, and they cover a lot of different topics. So it ranges from things like no poverty, good health, and well being quality education, gender equality, and so on. And these are all things these are also targets to be like that, that society should be aimed at achieving by this by this this date of 2030. And what they do, actually, they drill down into a bit more detail than that. So it's so beyond the 17 was on another underneath each of these 17 goals, there's a set of targets. And there's a set of indicators as well around it to give people perhaps a bit more sort of focus around, you know, we're interested in so the good health and well being sustainable development goal, you know, what are the things kind of within that people want us to look to achieve? And what are the what are the measures that are that are associated with it? As I say, I think it's a fantastic initiative. It's starting to get a lot of take up and understanding from from organizations all over the world. And I think, you know, it feels like something that actually is going to have some really helped sort of achieve some of these really positive outcomes for the future.

Pascal Huijbers
Do you see a lot of traction and is this mainly in Europe or specific countries?

David Gentle
I think it's worldwide from what I see there's clearly huge traction in, in Europe around this but also in, in Asia. And if you didn't see where a Japanese company and you know, in Japan, there's there's huge amounts of interest in in SDGs. And indeed, you know, how society can really evolve in a positive direction. So I think this isn't, this isn't really related to sort of one one nation or one type of organization, I think it's really getting some some good uptake universally.

Pascal Huijbers
What is your view on technology in all of this and can it really make a difference in achieving these SDGs?

David Gentle
So I think technology absolutely has a really key role to play here. And, I mean, you know, I think Fujitsu we would be very interested in STDs anyway. But I think the fact that technology is such a sort of powerful tool these days, and, and potentially more so in the future, I think there's there's a real there's a real sort of interest for us in this too. I mean, I so I would, it's quite a big question because because clearly, technology can be applied anywhere. You know, and, and, you know, by the day that the technologies that are out there are getting kind of more diverse and there's more things that you can You can do and more ways you can apply them. But I would sort of break it down into a number of different areas. So the first one be around tech connectivity. So So technologies had a really big impact on the world, too, simply by connecting people together now that might be just simply enabling people to sort of share perspectives and share sort of understanding for things and information and, and so on. But I think increasingly, you know, going forward connectivity means actually being able to sort of connect to all sorts of things that are out there, you know, whether it's kind of measurement of your environment or, or using sensors in, in, in people's cars or in factories, or, you know, there's all sorts of ways that the technology can can can now be sort of put into the physical world in a way that then helps you to connect to things. The second area which is really around the awareness that that gives you of the world around us and the means to collect data about things. So things like for instance, you know, measurements of the environment. So certainly not a pollution there is, you know, that's something that we can use technology to give us some really clear understanding about, about sort of what levels that is or, you know, industrial waste, where I'm working on a great project at the moment with the Environment Agency here in the UK, where actually, we were using technology to help with their flood warning systems. So I mean, that's just one example. But, but there's lots there's lots of ways that that the data that then comes from is connectivity can can be played into sort of help, really to deliver things that are way better for society. You know, another example is in a smart city. You know, how you can manage congestion across the city or the way that a city manages its, its its resources like energy and water and so on. So I think there's a big there's a big role technology can play in there. areas. The next level I think is around intelligence. So, you know, we've, we've been talking a lot about artificial intelligence and Fujitsu And particularly, you know, how artificial intelligence can be used to, to create insights and, and really deliver solutions to things that perhaps would have been beyond us even a few years ago. So, so things like in the healthcare scenario, for instance, using using AI to be able to diagnose disease in patients. We've got a great project that's going in Australia at the moment around using AI to detect brain aneurysms. You know, it gives us the ability to model things in ways that we haven't been able to do in the past. So technology like digital twins, where you can take something whether that's a factory production line, whether that's something like I'm actually you know, biological system and ecosystem for instance, or Or even, you know, the human body, you can create a model these things in technology, which then gives you the ability to try things out to, to make predictions find different, maybe better ways of, of working things.

Pascal Huijbers
And we also see a role in defining the strategy. So should this be a part of a company's strategy? Or do you see this as a part of the digital strategy somehow,

David Gentle
it's quite difficult to align, you know, the things the normal things that the business does, the normal business outcomes that it has, for instance, hitting your numbers, you know, each year or each quarter with sort of some kind of longer term societal goal, which perhaps might be even more important to the organization. And, and it's quite hard to sort of have that, you know, have that conversation and to sort of build that into strategy. So So what the SDGs do is they give companies is a fantastic model to be able to see all the possible outcomes that are out there. And to be able to really sort of focus in on things that are that are more relevant to them because a company, you know, doesn't want to can't look at all 17 and say, Yes, we want to, we want to do all of these. But what they can do is they can focus in and they can say, sustainable cities and communities is relevant to what we do as an organization, or it may be no clean water and sanitation may be may be quite relevant to some of the things we do.

Pascal Huijbers
Thank you very much for your views on this and it was very nice talking to you or David,

David Gentle
thanks for having me.

Pascal Huijbers
So my next conversation will be with Claudia Escobar, she's Head of Marketing from the United Nations, so who better than United Nations to explain to us why they created the SDGs but also what they want to achieve with them. So welcome to this interview, Claudia

Claudia Escobar
Great to be with you today.

Pascal Huijbers
Thank you for joining Claudia. Maybe you can introduce your self first to the audience.

Claudia Escobar
Yeah, well, Hello, so my name is Claudia Escobar, I'm the Head of Marketing at the UN Global Compact, and I oversee our marketing strategy, as well as the strategic growth of the initiative worldwide. And the UN Global Compact, just to share with you a bit of what the UN Global Compact is all about, we are the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative, with more than 10,000 companies worldwide in over 160 countries. That's committed to aligning their business strategies and operations to our 10 universal principles on human rights, labor, environment and anti corruption, as well as taking meaningful action to advance sustainable development goals. We were launched in 2000 by former Secretary General Kofi Annan, and our mandate is really to guide and support the global business community in advancing the UN sustainable development goals and values through responsible corporate practices.

Pascal Huijbers
So how do you see the connection between the SDGs the United Nations in this case, but also euro is is also something that's important for Europe as well.

Claudia Escobar
It is, it is an actually we, European companies are leading the effort when it comes to the achievement of the SDGs and the implementation of the SDGs and an integrating the SDGs. into their business strategies. We actually see a large part of our companies that are actually based in Europe. But we really do see the government's European governments and businesses really taking action and taking meaningful action changing business models through achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Pascal Huijbers
But overall, this is a global initiative.

Claudia Escobar
The 17 SDGs were actually passed by 193 UN member states and so enough, basically UN member states are 193 countries. So it is definitely a global initiative and a global mandate.

Pascal Huijbers
I look at the SDGs. What is the way to achieve them? Is this something that will be part of regulations? What is your way? Or maybe do you have an UN way of achieving these goals?

Claudia Escobar
Yeah, that's a that's a great question. And I think once we see them is that they are really the global goals. So they're not really government goals or business goals, but they are really our global goals. And we all have to work together to achieve the SDGs. So governments business civil society, we have to kind of come together, not one group can accomplish the SDGs to successfully deliver the 2030 agenda, and the SDGs it will require engagement from all businesses and so we usually recommend and this is kind of our way to achieve them is probably needs to start at home with their own companies bracing their ambition and taking meaningful action in their own organization. And also, in addition to that, really helping drive broader action within their industry. So we have to even go contact me encourage companies to start by understanding the SDGs themselves, define priorities, based on the assessment of you know what positive and negative impact your company might have on the SDGs. Then set ambitious goals and then integrate these goals and sustainability into your core business. And then last but not least, report and communicate on their progress. And just to answer a bit of the question around regulation, so regulation definitely does help accelerate the achievement and will help accelerate the achievement of the SDGs. And there's no overarching regulation that mandates the SDGs worldwide. Ultimately, the implementation the SDGs rests in the hands of governments around the world. And you see countries that are, you know, passing a variety of policies and legislation to really move the SDGs forward. Just a couple of examples SDG 13, which is climate action, we see a variety of European countries that are taking the lead. So like Sweden and France, England, Scotland, and then New Zealand actually recently passed legislation to really cartel carbon emissions. And then you're seeing Chile and Fiji they're also passing legislations as well, but European countries lead and policies made to benefit the advancement of the SDGs.

Pascal Huijbers
So there's a bit of a difference in the approach, sometimes countries pick up the SDGs and create their own policies also in their own in their own country or work together with others, but you see organization also taking the SDGs as a sort of, goal for for their company. You're trying to translate a goal into their own strategy. Is that a bit of the difference you see between also public companies and more private companies?

Claudia Escobar
Yeah, yeah. So I think we, you're right, you kind of see it from the, you know, the, the goal is that governments are passing, you know, smart regulation and legislation that will help really create an environment that will foster the achievement of the SDGs. But then at the same time, companies have huge influence, and they can do quite a bit to lend their voice to actually advocate for the SDGs as well. And so, you know, the ideal formula if there is a formula is to have governments that are, you know, passing smart regulation, but then also having companies that are integrating the goals into their, into their own business strategies as well.

Pascal Huijbers
When we look at the role of technology in all of this, is there a role of technology in achieving the SDGs?

Claudia Escobar
Yeah, the, you know, technology has a key role in the achievement of the SDGs, but also in the acceleration of the achievement of the SDGs. It's, you know, to be SDGs we we need transformational and systematic changes. I think over the past couple of years, like I mentioned, the SDGs have, we're adopting 2015. And so we've had a couple of years of incremental changes. But we've noticed that we're we're not on track and incremental changes are not enough. We really need transformational changes if we're really going to achieve the SDGs by 2030. And I can't think of a better sector to bring transformational and disruptive change than the tech sector and and really the the channel and the vehicle being technology. And I think as we see technology becomes faster and smarter and more widely applied. The pace of transformation will only accelerate, which is exactly what we need to get to where we want to get with the SDGs by by 2030.

Pascal Huijbers
So when we are looking at technology, which kind of technologies do you see that support these execution of these SDGs? Are these like mobility, artificial intelligence, digital data, and maybe even quantum computing.

Claudia Escobar
We're already seeing, you know how AI is helping doctors reduce medical mistakes and helping farmers improve, yield and minimize influencing, and helping teachers customize and spread education and helping researchers on block solutions to climate and weather modeling. A couple of kind of more tangible examples that I can share with you with some really leading technology are in the areas of artificial intelligence. So in India, You have Microsoft, together with the international crops research institute that developed a artificial intelligence intelligence based sowing app that is enabling farmers to to be able to receive agricultural advisories based on on on weather and other parameters. And this is helping over 3000 farmer first be able to increase crop yields. Actually in a couple of years ago, the these farmers were able to increase their yield by 10 to 30%. And then you see blockchain technology being used by companies to to also enable farmers in Africa to access finance and sell, produce, and sell their products, to to buyers all over the world. We think emerging technologies also have a huge potential to accelerate in the area of electrification. And so this is fcg In which is affordable and clean energy, particularly in areas where fewer centralized network power grids exist. And so, a good example of that is a power company that has installed solar powered mini grid projects with battery storage across Kenya and Zambia, really providing electricity in areas with rates that are equivalent to two rates equivalent to those currently spent on kerosene. And more and more you see AI and blockchain platforms are, you know, overcoming challenges in health data across the global south, helping patients track their their health on an app, but also offering them the opportunity to monetize on some of that data using cryptocurrency as well. Another area of technology that has potential is 5g. I think you mentioned telecommunications. But yeah, 5g, wireless technology will definitely be a powerful tool in advancing variety of SDGs, specifically SDG. Four, which is quality education for all. In areas where access to education is a really big challenge. 5g technology can enable and really improve remote learning opportunities for many.

Pascal Huijbers
Yeah, so we were just talking about technology. And I think you get some good examples of what you can achieve with technology and also the role of technology in achieving these SDA SDGs. You also talked about organizations and your sort of dream way of how they should handle the SDGs and how they incorporate in their strategy and so on, right. What you also mentioned in that sense, is that you could also see this as an opportunity. So it's not so much about something that's enforced on you. It's really Also about an opportunity and also maybe even a big new business in some areas as well, when companies are listening to this podcast, how do you see sort of practical way of getting these SDGs inside your company?

Claudia Escobar
So, you know, I've even come in contact, we really seen business and it really is our mandate that we really see business as a vital partner in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. And what we ask is companies everywhere to to really integrate the SDGs to their core business strategy and operations and, and really assess their impact and incentive ambitions, goals, and communicate transparently about the results and, and I think setting ambitious goal. Goals are so important, you know, and companies are no strangers to setting goals. But it's important to kind of set business goals with the SDGs in mind, and we see some of our most successful companies that are actually you know, very profitable. doing just that. The The reality is business, you know, has a key role to play. And it's the engine of economic growth and employment. And it's a key source of finance, technology and innovation, and all these key factors to achieve the SDGs. And so the, I would say the most important thing is to get started, you know, so I think a bit of what our mandate is at the UN Global Compact is helping companies get started, it's actually oftentimes the number one question we get asked, because it is, it does kind of seem a bit daunting, you know, you have 17 SDGs. And oftentimes, companies don't know how to get started. And so we normally recommend an assessment where you can kind of assess, you know, through, you know, our principles and the 17 SDGs. Where you are currently and where there are areas to improve. So it's important for companies to kind of see where they are opportunities for them to, to implement the SDGs. And where they can really see the value of the SDGs throughout their value chain. And just as important is going to be them having the opportunity to also look at their negative impacts, and what things the company might currently be doing without realizing that might be hindering the advancement of the SDGs at their current company. So it's important to take into account both both positive and negative impact. And then, you know, along with that, I think, I think I mentioned this call before, is, companies play a key role as advocates for the SDGs. They can work together with civil society to really lend their voice and influence to drive policies needed to achieve the SDGs. And so this is where companies can can really Be advocates for the sustainability agenda within their own country and and worldwide.

Pascal Huijbers
Would you also expect them to select a couple of SDGs which are closest to them? Or do you advise to look at all of them and see how they can contribute also to all of them?

Claudia Escobar
Yeah, no, that's right. And we don't expect every company to be able to, to prioritize all 17 SDGs. So a key part of the process, like I said, is understanding the SDGs obsessing, kind of doing a self assessment assessment of where where your company is on the SDGs and, and what are some of the best practices that you might be doing to achieve the SDGs but defining priorities and defining what mcg actually are relevant to your business are really important, as well. And so, we see a lot of companies theories that they have, they take a look at a whole Stickley, because we don't want cherry picking we don't want companies to to just say, well, we're doing operations, in education in any climate, so we're going to go ahead and pick, you know, SDGs and climate action and an education. We want you companies to really kind of holistically assess the 17 development goals and prioritize based on where they find the greatest opportunity for impact.

Pascal Huijbers
A lot of our audience, there it leaders, do you see a specific role for them in dealing with the SDGs something they can do in their daily jobs?

Claudia Escobar
Yeah, definitely. So it leaders, as you know, as call are accountable for the critical part of the business that that's constantly changing and evolving, you know, technology, there's continuously, you know, 2.0 3.0 4.0 so it's a part of the business That will, that continues to change. And our call to IT leaders is, you know, like I mentioned before, familiarize yourselves with the SDGs. Right. You know, one thing that we really encourage companies is that it's not just a, you know, an issue for the sustainability team, but that other teams across the organization, keep teams like the, you know, the IP and information technology teams familiarize themselves with the SDGs themselves. And then we ask the IT leaders and CIOs to integrate them into their vision and strategy. And really kind of become advocates as well. So you know, can become champion champions for your organization. For the SDGs you guys have a can leaders have a huge potential to develop and deploy technology. And I'm what we ask is that you think through the way you're deploying and developing technology with the SDGs in mind. What we know is that without kind of the right developing, and the right development and the appointment of technology, we won't be able to achieve the SDGs. So, so yeah, so we we do believe that CIOs and IT leaders play a vital role SDGs are around here for a while for a couple of years now. Can you explain to us or share a bit of your view on what we can expect on the SDGs for the coming years? Yeah. So in the coming years, we we really want to see more business and governments rebuild and really recover from the current crisis. With the SDGs in mind, you know, we the reality We're currently in the recovery phase. And we see a huge opportunity for companies to leverage the SDGs and the 2030 agenda. As a blueprint as they create the new normal for their organizations. what we'll see is we'll definitely see more further integration of the FPGAs into core business strategy and operations. We're going to see business models evolve, to meet new challenges. And we've seen that just in the past couple of years of companies completely changing their business model. First, because it is it really is will set them up for the future and maybe being themselves become more competitive. And we'll also see sustainability, be less and less driven by, you know, CSR, programs and philanthropy and more driven By research and development, we're even as companies are developing new products and services. They're kind of starting with the SDGs and the framework for their research and development process. We, you know, we ask the companies to continue to set ambitious goals and I think we'll continue to see companies take older action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. And then in the area of climate action, which is critical. Over the next decade, I think we will see investment in climate resilient infrastructure. And more and more, we'll see the transition to a lower carbon future that can really drive significant near term job creation, while increasing economic and environmental resiliency going forward And then as you, as you know, this call, I think resiliency and really planning for the future is going to be so key here in the next year and two as we kind of recover. And then something else to even just, you know, in the short term, you know, when we're currently seeing, hearing the US, but I think in, you know, in several other countries and places in the world where interest rates are at almost net zero for the foreseeable future, and so there's no better time than to be able to, to make these type of investments.

On the investment front, we're going to see continued demand for sustainable investment solutions and products. So we're going to continue to see investors put a bit of pressure on companies around their sustainability efforts. But also we're going to see consumers wanting to see investment solutions, like SDG bonds and a variety of ETFs and blue bonds that will benefit the adoption and achievement of the SDGs. And then I think circular economy is going to be key. So in I think we've seen a lot of creativity and innovation around the circular economy. And I think you'll see a lot more businesses adopt a variety of different circular economy approaches within their business, specifically areas of materials and packaging. But also, I think, in areas when it comes in when it comes to refilling models, and zero waste solutions, so I think we'll see new technologies emerge in that area. The important thing, the important thing to know Is that we have to move beyond business as usual. And I feel like in this, you know, throughout this pandemic, I think businesses are realizing that kind of be kind of staying within the status quo. You know, this business as usual, is not going to work and as they move themselves to really kind of modernize their digital assets.

I think you'll see

kind of us coming together, to work together in solidarity, to really deliver the greatest impact for people and prosperity and planet and, and really use the SDGs as a blueprint for strategic growth in the coming years. I think if we do that, I think we'll recover better, will recover stronger, and most importantly, will recover together for the good of all, not just one group. I will recover together for For the good of all mankind.

Pascal Huijbers
Thank you, Claudia. One last question I would like to ask you is, next podcast, we will discuss the European Union funding scheme. We have a project called horizon 2020. And the new horizon Europe for the coming years. And what they're trying to do now is really connect what they're trying to achieve from the European Union to the SDGs. So every goal is a sort of linked with the SDGs. Is that one of the examples you were talking about? So translating SDGs into sort of programs, in this case, a funding scheme to try to achieve these goals that way?

Claudia Escobar
Now, it is and it's, like I said, I think Europe is definitely leading when it comes to creating an enabling environment. And that's exactly what what, what Europe is doing is when you're creating an enabling environment to actually help businesses, really harness and harness whether it's, you know, funds available for them to really create and and invest in, in SDG focused projects. So you do see that I think European Europe is definitely leading on that. But even South Africa, and you're seeing parts of in Japan, where other countries where you're seeing that as well, where governments, and oftentimes it's not across all the SDGs, but sometimes our tackling one or two SDGs are key to their, to their countries. And so in Africa, oftentimes, you'll see countries specifically focused around the issue of reduced inequalities, or poverty, and really creating funds for companies to come in, and really, kind of leverage those funds for projects that will help us achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in the future. So yeah, that's a great example of what governments are doing and what they can do to to really create an enabling environment to allow companies to leverage funding but then also to really help propel the SDGs forward.

Pascal Huijbers
Thank you very much, Claudia. It was really nice talking to you. Thank you for all the insights that you have given us.

Claudia Escobar
Thank you, Pascal. It's been a pleasure. Thank you so much for the invitation.