The Sustainable Development Goals are at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which provides a road map for countries to reduce inequality, tackle climate change and spur economic growth.
After more than 20 years of building a global partnership for sustainable development, 2015 marked a milestone; this was the year when the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by all 193 state members of the United Nations,.
The 17 SDGs are:
These tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues so success is contingent on genuine cooperation from different stakeholders. We believe that the business community is fundamental to the project. We cannot rely government handouts or charitable endeavours: there should be a solid business case for each initiative.
Not only is this good for the global community, but following the SDGs can improve a company’s performance :
Drive growth and innovation: Many companies may think that their markets are saturated, but by introducing products aimed at nontraditional consumers (e.g. clean energy lighting systems or low-priced water purification filters) new markets are created. Businesses can find new ways to grow and stimulate innovation while focusing on SDGs.
Address risk: The effects of climate change and the depletion of resources represent significant threats to most companies. By committing to source and operate sustainably, businesses contribute to mitigating these risks and can be catalysts for positive change and adoption of best practices within their industries.
Attract capital: businesses that are run sustainably perform well and are better to achieve gains in the long run. This more inclusive form of capitalism is essential for our society’s well-being, and also more attractive to today’s investors.
Focusing purpose: While many companies try to do good, most of them do not know where to start. SDGs help to guide those efforts to the world’s most pressing issues. By pursuing SDGs, companies make more efficient use of resources and can see actual results. As a consequence, employees feel proud of and connected with the company’s purpose, increasing motivation among them.
Companies such as Unilever, Visa, Jetblue, and Kimberly-Clark have pioneered in aligning their strategies with the SDGs. Now they are inspiring more businesses to join their efforts. At Pomeroon, we believe that SDGs have a vital role to play in the agriculture sectors, Practically every decision that agribusinesses make are strongly linked to the 17 goals. The goals inform sourcing decisions, labour management, environmental practices, crop choices, trade flows and much more.
In Guyana, a country that is about to become a major player in the oil industry, the impact that agriculture can have on reducing inequality and promoting conservation deepens. Agriculture has the power to improve security and therefore eliminate hunger and promote good health, to provide decent jobs and hence reduce poverty, to fight climate change, among many other benefits.
Pomeroon has introduced many of the SDGs in the company’s strategy. These will contribute not only to a better Guyana but also to improve company performance.
