The World Environment Center and Coca-Cola FEMSA Co-Host Mexico Roundtable on UN SDGs
April 12, 2016 /3BL Media/ - On April 6, 2016, more than 30 companies participated in the "Aligning Corporate Goals with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals" forum, where the World Environment Center (WEC) called on the private sector to align their business goals with the Sustainable Development goals (SDGs) of the UN.
During the event, participants presented cases on their perspective and alignment towards the Sustainable Development Goals. "The roundtable today is a clear demonstration of leadership of Mexican companies in promoting economic and social development in a sustainable manner," said Terry F. Yosie, President of WEC.
Throughout the forum it was noted that more and more companies incorporate social, sustainability and environmental criteria in their operations, as well as long-term goals and indicators that facilitate transparency of their actions. Showing alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals will allow them to have high impact programs directly related to the UN values and business strategies.
"The private sector plays a key role in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The participation of companies to achieve the SDGs can change the course of our planet over the next 15 years," said Dolores Barrientos, Mexico Representative for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). "We are reaching planetary limits on the degradation of ecosystems, ecosystems which contribute to the economic growth of countries. The incorporation of SDGs in corporate strategies will contribute to the achievement of specific goals set in Agenda 2030. The efficiency in production processes, use of clean energy, eco-innovation, strengthening social and environmental responsibility, as well as more private investment in natural capital, will contribute to greater economic growth, job creation, fighting poverty and social equity and environmental care."
On a related note, it was concluded that some challenges lie ahead, such as improving the common understanding on key aspects of the integration of SDGs in the private sector and creating more mechanisms to facilitate multi-sector partnerships.
"The SDGs represent a very important reference for the private sector, allowing us to align our thematic focus on sustainability and to identify areas of opportunity to continue to contribute to the positive transformation of the communities where we operate. Companies must promote actions of shared value with our stakeholders and engage voluntarily to implement the SDGs. Multisectoral partnerships are one vehicle that allows us to multiply the impact of our actions and better focus resources and capabilities,” said Francisco Suarez Hernandez, Corporate Vice President at Coca-Cola FEMSA and Chairman of the WEC Board.
During the United Nations General Assembly on September 25, 2015, global leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals to eradicate poverty, combat inequality and injustice, and fight climate change by 2030. The SDGs promise to become the most relevant framework to align business goals with expectations of global stakeholders.
