Call for tech industry sustainability

The CEO of NZTech Graeme Muller is urging New Zealand tech companies to study the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and position their solutions as ways to achieve them.

His call comes after attending global tech conferences in the Netherlands where, he says, much of the talk was about these goals into which millions of euros are being invested in the next few years.

He said the goals were at the forefront of many people’s minds in the Netherlands.

“Every city is required to meet these goals and they are looking to tech to solve the problems… These goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all,” the CEO said.

“They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity and peace.”

The Sustainable Development Goals are a collection of 17 global goals set by the UN General Assembly in 2015 for 2030. They are part of Resolution 70/1 of the UN General Assembly, the 2030 Agenda, otherwise known as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which has been adopted by New Zealand and all other UN member states. It provides a shared blueprint for prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.”

Muller said New Zealand must act on these goals. “They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity and peace.

“The goals are simply an urgent call for action by all countries in a global partnership. They recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education and spur economic growth, as well as tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.”

Corporate sustainability guidance from the UN

The UN has provided a webpage setting out how corporations can get on board with the sustainability goals. It argues: “It’s crucial to set specific and time-bound goals for your corporate sustainability efforts. Doing this before you begin can help clarify priorities across your entire organisation and improve your ultimate performance.”

There is also a page explaining the Sustainable Development Goals for businesses.