By actively pursuing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we make our earth a better place to live for everyone. When individuals, companies, institutions, governments and authorities actively pursue these goals, they contribute positively towards eradicating poverty, reducing inequality and combating climate change.
Growing awareness among entrepreneurs
Özlem: “The pandemic has changed the way business leaders look at the world. Many have become much more aware of their role, responsibility and influence on the world. I also see a growing awareness regarding the importance of ‘purpose’, of the need to make a positive contribution to the world and of the vulnerability of reputations. Sustainability receives much more serious and sincere attention than it did before the pandemic. Personally, I think Covid-19 is a wake-up call. Companies reflect on the question whether they are doing business in a way that does not harm the world, wonder whether they can start using cleaner producing methods and what this crisis means for their risk management. On an individual level, people are also looking what they themselves can do towards achieving a better world and how they can reduce their own footprint.”
Seventeen goals
More and more companies measure their performance against the seventeen UN Sustainable Development Goals. “Many of these goals overlap with aspects of our risk management consultancy. For instance goal number 7: affordable and clean energy and goal number 8: ensuring inclusive and sustainable economic growth and decent work. But also goals 9 and 12: innovation and sustainable infrastructure and ensuring responsible consumption and production patterns. Anyone choosing to actively pursue these goals must also be prepared to concentrate efforts on improving their risk management policy and framework, for which we can offer support.”
Clean sustainable world
In practice, goals and risk management overlap more often than you might think. A clean, sustainable world with a minimum of pollution and the lowest possible CO₂ footprint requires vision. But also the courage to make decisions and to invest in cleaner production processes, storage, transport and distribution. “The use of raw materials and fuels, for instance. All areas in which risk management experts can provide valuable advice with Sustainable Development Goals in mind.”
Helping risk management experts assess fire safety
A concrete example: anyone who wants to use renewable energy by installing solar panels on factory premises will have to arrange for the proper assembly and fire safety of the installations, often because it is an insurance company requirement. In this respect, Riskonet risk management experts can help assess fire safety and propose sensible measures. The pandemic and lockdown also got business leaders thinking about something else. “It is striking to see that many companies have become aware of the vulnerability of their supply chain as a result of the pandemic. Many companies in Turkey and elsewhere have suffered losses because goods could not be brought in from Asia for weeks because the economy and air traffic were at a standstill.”
