In order to create a better future we need to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation*.
SDG 9 is centred around developing reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure to support economic development of human well-being, whilst simultaneously being affordable and having equitable access for all**. The UN’s target by 2030 is to upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities**.
The core of SDG 9 is to better SME’s access to crucial resources which improve business operations. The foundations of this goal are built upon the knowledge that SME’s are critical in strengthening the backbone of economies. Infrastructure needs to be constructed in areas where there is significant underdevelopment or lack of access. This is pivotal for those markets who have an opportunity to jump directly to the most modern technology standards. For example, legacy technologies such as copper landlines will not need to be implemented in developing nations because they will be able to go straight to using 5G networks***. There is a tremendous opportunity in emerging markets where there is estimated to be approximately $2.2 trillion in infrastructure investments annually for the next 20 years****. For existing infrastructure, they face a multitude of problems such as extreme weather and energy efficiency that will require investments to improve their overall long-term resilience.
How businesses can assist with SDG 9:
Innovation will play a key role towards reducing the overall impact of climate change for the years to come. By investing heavily into technology that is able to efficiently upgrade existing infrastructure especially in the way they consume or generate energy. By focusing on innovative solutions that can benefit the ways industry and infrastructure operates in terms of sustainability as well as efficiency, will most certainly create a better future for all.
*https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/infrastructure-industrialization/
**https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/envision2030-goal9.html