The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) address 17 global challenges the world faces today and are an ambitious plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. These Goals are a blueprint to achieve a more sustainable future and are universal, applying to all nations and people. They focus on issues such as ending poverty and hunger, as well as improved health and decent work for all. The goals can only be achieved with the aid of the private sector working with governments, parliaments, the United Nations (UN) system and other international institutions, local authorities, civil society, the scientific and academic community – and all people.

This is one report in a series of six which highlights the opportunities available for organisations to take action. The SDG Industry Matrixes produced by KPMG and the UN Global Compact are designed to provide practical examples of how companies can integrate sustainability into every aspect of their business practices. The reports are focused on how working towards the SDGs can influence action that creates value for shareholders as well as the broader community. The SDG Industry Matrix highlights innovative approaches taken by companies in the pharmaceutical sector to capitalise on opportunities presented by the changing landscape.

This report focuses on creating opportunities for shared value through preventative healthcare, universal health coverage, resilient healthcare, and environmentally sustainable healthcare. By attending to these areas, companies can ensure that the most vulnerable populations are taken care of and that illnesses amongst these groups can be mitigated and managed effectively.

The report outlines opportunities for companies in healthcare and life science to create value for their business and society through each of the 17 SDGs. Multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaborations are recognised for the important ways in which organisations can share knowledge to achieve shared goals, including success in business. Case studies of companies included in the report highlight the pioneering work. Companies such as Abbott are committed to sourcing 80% of their ingredients locally, which reduces the carbon footprint involved in the transport of goods, as well as stimulating the local economy. Further to this, they have implemented training programmes to empower women who are involved in the farm work but traditionally have little decision-making power. In other cases, technology is utilised to ensure timely access to expert opinions and medical care, by enabling video calls with specialists across the globe.

The SDG Industry Matrix highlights opportunities for healthcare companies to create value for company stakeholders through sustainable practices and creating an inclusive path to economic growth.

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. There are opportunities to be found in preventative healthcare, universal health coverage, resilient healthcare, and environmentally sustainable healthcare.
4. Many companies within the industry have already implemented actions focused through the SDG lens, and have increased their market value as a result.
5. There are business opportunities in responding pro-actively to crises such as climate change; pharmaceutical companies are investing funds in vaccines for diseases traditionally found in tropical areas. It is predicted the need for these will rise as global temperatures increase.
6. Healthcare and life science companies are promoting and investing in STEM education to ensure employees are equipped with skillsets to meet future business and health needs of their country.
7. Gender equality is key to ensuring that communities are provided with accurate health information; companies are focused on identifying and including women-owned businesses in their supply chain.
8. Global partnerships for sustainability can strengthen the link between corporate and societal value creation.