The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 goals set out by the United Nations within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; they call for urgent collective action towards global challenges, such as hunger, unemployment and climate change. Businesses can help bridge the gap towards achieving the SDGs by enshrining sustainable development in their purpose and core activities; businesses are increasingly finding that there is an inextricable link between a commitment to sustainable development and enduring commercial success.
Overview
There are clear links to be drawn between businesses in the TMT space and the SDGs. For example, the affordability and ubiquity of mobile technology, with ever-increasing connectivity and access, provides a unique platform for enhancing economic and social development as displayed by the GSMA's initiative 'Big Data for Social Good'. As industries continue to innovate, new and improved technologies find new applications with the potential to contribute.
Deloitte's 2018 TMT predictions touch on future changes in this landscape. In particular, the increasing capability and use of machine learning, the rising creation of augmented reality content, and the changing capabilities and uses of smartphones have broad potential to contribute towards the SDGs.
That opportunity to contribute grows as technology becomes 'smarter' and more efficient with impacts across each of the 17 goals. From improving medical diagnoses to monitoring and optimising household energy efficiency, technology change can help to support the vulnerable, reduce inequalities and raising living standards for all through inclusive growth.
There are already examples in the market today, where the developments highlighted by our TMT predictions are making an impact on the SDGs.
What impact can the TMT Predictions have on the Sustainable Development Goals?
The potential impact of the TMT predictions on each SDG was assessed by industry experts.
Many of the TMT Predictions have the potential to make a large impact on the SDGs, however we have chosen to detail those related to advances in, and novel applications of, technology as these to have the highest potential to accelerate the SDGs.
Explore the 2018 TMT Predictions
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