The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) address 17 social and environmental challenges the world faces currently and outlines an ambitious plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. The SDG’s tackle a wide variety of topics including dignity, partnership and justice, however, can be broken down into more specific goals such as ending poverty and hunger, ensuring sustainable consumption and production, and promoting peaceful and inclusive societies.

The goals can only be reached through collaborative efforts between stakeholders, including the private sector working with governments, parliaments, the United Nations (UN) system and other international institutions, local authorities, the scientific and academic community, civil society and other people. All entities are called on to use creative and innovative problem solving to improve sustainable development processes, in line with the SDG’s.

Two of the most critical SDG’s regarded as cross-cutting themes include SDG 12, which focuses on production and consumption and includes a specific target on adopting sustainable business practices and reporting. The other is SDG 17, which includes two targets on multi-stakeholder partnerships to ensure this attracts enough focus.

The SDG Industry Matrix series showcases industry-specific examples and ideas for corporate action related to the SDGs. These are presented in six individual publications, each Matrix highlighting bold pursuits and decisions made by internationally diverse companies for each SDG. This specific Matrix focuses on energy, natural resources and chemicals (ENRC), and seeks to provide a framework of industry highlights which include opportunities for shared value, good practice principles and initiatives, and multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaborations.

The coming together of market potential, societal demands and policy actions create the biggest opportunity for shared value, including themes such as energy for all, zero-carbon energy, sustainable production and community development.

There are also several good practice principles and initiatives which align with the industry’s contribution to sustainable development through ENRC. An example of this is the Diamond Development Initiative (DDI), which works to effect systemic change within small-scale mining sectors. This is done so by convening all interested parties in processes and projects that help turn mining of precious stones and minerals into a source of sustainable community development. Another one of these cutting-edge partnerships is the Low Carbon Technology Partnership Initiative (LCTPi), that brings together companies and partners to accelerate the development of low-carbon technology solutions to stay below the 2°C ceiling. So far, LCTPi has gathered over 150 global businesses with 70 partners to work collaboratively on these projects which, if implemented fully, could substantially impact global emissions.

The report outlines opportunities for companies to create value for their business and society through each of the 17 SDGs.  This section of the report includes leading examples of companies currently implementing such change. For example, to address SDG 7 which aims to ensure access to reliable and sustainable modern energy, Teck has partnered to develop the SunMine solar project, western Canada’s largest solar power facility and the first solar project built on a reclaimed mine site.

1. KPMG International and the UN Global Compact have developed six industry matrices which provide industry-specific practical examples and ideas for action for each Sustainable Development Goal. They profile opportunities which companies expect to create value for shareholders and for society. The six areas are: Financial Services, Food, Beverage and Consumer Goods, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Industrial Manufacturing, Transportation and Energy, Natural Resources and Chemicals.
2. The SDG Industry Matrix aims to inspire and inform greater private sector action to drive inclusive, sustainable prosperity. It assists each specific industry to recognise specific opportunities, providing industry specific ideas for action and practical examples for each relevant SDG.
3. Companies involved with energy, natural resources and chemicals can implement change to create shared value across all 17 of the SDGs.
4. Projects and initiatives have been implemented by many associations to help guide sustainable development strategies in areas concerning energy, natural resources and chemicals. For example, the World Bank, International Council on Mining and Metals, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and The Climate and Clean Air Coalition.
5. The most significant opportunities for shared value regarding ENRC are: providing access to affordable, reliable and modern energy; providing training to local suppliers and service providers to increase the quality and sustainability of their operations; and to collaborate with municipalities and property developers to ensure housing for employees is adequate, safe and affordable.
   
6. The Matrix encourages collaborations with the industrial manufacturing industry to inform research and design that will increase power storage systems for renewable energy sources. Facilitating the transition from high emission energy sources (e.g. coal and kerosene) towards cleaner alternatives such as natural gas should also be an objective.
7. All companies and stakeholders should take steps to measure, reduce and report climate exposure and progress on actions to confront climate change on an annual basis. There should also be a continuation to increase the level of transparency and consistency of reporting across the industry sector.
8. Exploring opportunities for engagement with national and multi-lateral development banks (as well as alternative financial sources) will maximise the power of technology to bring energy access to all.
9. The Industry Matrix builds on the recognition that all companies have a responsibility to comply with all relevant legislation, uphold minimum standards and respect universal human rights when conducting process improvements for greater development in energy, natural resources and chemical structures.