The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 9 (SDG 9) focuses on building sustainable infrastructure, promoting industrialization, and fostering innovation. This goal includes developing reliable and resilient infrastructure with affordable access for all, raising the share of employment and GDP from industry, improving financial services for small-scale enterprises, upgrading infrastructure and industries for sustainability and resource efficiency, enhancing scientific research and technological capabilities, and providing support to developing countries for infrastructure development. SDG 9 also emphasizes domestic technology development and innovation in developing countries and increasing access to information and communications technology, including universal and affordable Internet access for least developed countries by 2020.
The pursuit of industry, innovation, and infrastructure is riddled with challenges. The environmental impact of infrastructure development, including construction and transportation, often leads to ecological degradation and climate change concerns. Equitable access to technology remains an issue, with digital divides leaving many communities and individuals without the tools and knowledge to benefit from innovation. To overcome these hurdles, we must prioritize sustainable infrastructure projects, embrace green technologies, and work to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that the benefits of industry and innovation are accessible to all, while minimizing harm to the environment.
Below are some organizations making contributions to industry, innovation and infrastructure.
Sustainable Infrastructure and Construction
CarbonCure Technologies – Develops recycled concrete additives that reduce cement usage and CO2 emissions in construction, contributing to a more sustainable built environment.
Greengrid Renewables – Develops and installs microgrids powered by renewable energy sources, providing clean and reliable electricity to remote and underserved communities.
CarbonBuilt – Manufactures carbon-negative building materials using bio-based technologies, reducing the carbon footprint of the construction industry.
SunRoof – Offers integrated solar roof panels that seamlessly blend with existing architecture, promoting rooftop solar adoption and clean energy generation.
Advanced Manufacturing and Circular Economy
Terran – Creates recycled plastic composites for various applications, diverting plastic waste from landfills and promoting a circular economy for plastics.
Bolt Threads – Produces mycelium-based leather alternatives that are sustainable and bio-degradable, offering a more ethical and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional leather.
Too Good to Go – Connects restaurants and stores with consumers to sell surplus food at a discount, reducing food waste and promoting affordability.
BioGrüne – Converts food waste into organic fertilizer and renewable energy, giving food waste a second life and contributing to a circular economy.
Innovative AI and Automation Solutions
Wasteless World – Provides affordable waste-to-energy solutions, converting plastic waste into clean energy and reducing pollution.
Inclusive Manufacturing and Technology
Bridge International Academies – Operates a network of low-cost, high-quality primary schools in Africa and Asia, providing affordable and accessible education for underserved communities and promoting social mobility.
Democratizing Innovation and Technology
She Hacks – Organizes workshops and hackathons to equip women with digital skills and encourage them to pursue careers in technology.
MakerSpace Network – Provides community workshops and resources for makers and inventors, fostering creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Policy and Advocacy for Sustainable Industry and Infrastructure
Grameen Foundation – Provides microloans and financial services to poor women in developing countries, empowering them to start and grow businesses and improve their livelihoods.
Ashoka – Promotes and supports social entrepreneurship globally, connecting innovators with resources and support to scale their solutions and create positive change.
Break Free From Plastic – Advocates for policies that reduce plastic pollution and promote sustainable alternatives, working to address the global plastic crisis.
The Climate Reality Project – Educates and empowers individuals and communities to take action on climate change, urging policy changes and promoting sustainable practices in all sectors, including industry.
UNCTAD – Assists developing countries in integrating into the global trading system and promotes sustainable development through trade and investment facilitation.
World Resources Institute – Conducts research and analysis on global challenges, including sustainable development, and provides evidence-based solutions for sustainable infrastructure and industrial development.
The World Economic Forum – Convenes stakeholders and leaders to discuss and address global challenges, including sustainable development, and promotes innovative solutions for a more sustainable future.
WWF – Works to conserve nature and reduce the environmental impact of human activities, advocating for sustainable practices in industry and infrastructure development.
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United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #9 (Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation) is part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Read a review of innovative organizations working across other SDGs.
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