Overview

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #1 is probably the most wide-ranging of all the goals. It encompasses almost all the other economic and infrastructure-related goals through direct poverty targets and indirect effects from other SDGs.

As such, the implications for businesses are significant.

Business Opportunities & Benefits

Businesses and investors have a general role in delivering on SDG1 through economic activity and employment creation. In 2019, more than 630 million workers worldwide - almost one in five of all those employed - did not earn enough to lift themselves and their families out of extreme or moderate poverty. Businesses also have more specific enabling and supporting roles alongside governments through improvements to climate and supply chain resilience, adherence to labour rights, and the acceleration of microfinance schemes.

“Ending poverty and promoting decent work are two sides of the same coin. Decent work is both the major instrument to make development happen and also, in effect, the central objective of sustainable development.” - Guy Ryder, Director-General, ILO.

Pursuit SDG1 will reap benefits and opportunities for businesses:
• Poverty eradication will increase the money in society to buy goods and services.
• Reduce security risks from societal population unrest.
• Improved access to basic services may create new market opportunities.
• Improved health of the working population will directly benefit businesses.