Today, Sustainia, DNV GL and the United Nations Global Compact present 300 of the most promising solutions that help reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), from solar-powered microgrids to shoes made from plastic waste. The solutions are featured on the Global Opportunity Explorer, a brand new online platform with new solutions and markets for achieving the SDGs.
The platform and the 300 solutions are presented today in New Delhi, India at the UN Global Compact’s Making Global Goals Local Business – India event which brings over 300 local and global leaders together to mobilize responsible business to develop innovative business models for the SDGs.
“More and more businesses are seeing the SDGs as inspiration to create innovative solutions that address some of the world’s biggest challenges.” said Lise Kingo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact. “The Global Opportunity Explorer brings all of these solutions into one dynamic place where companies, investors and entrepreneurs can connect and work together to bring these solutions to scale for real impact. I invite you to join this new platform and help us create the world we want by 2030.”
Rooted in over five years of research from 17,000 business leaders and 17 expert panels, the Global Opportunity Explorer connects the 300 solutions to a new sustainable market universe based on the Global Opportunity Reports, with 45 ripe market opportunities addressing the SDGs. Bjørn K. Haugland, Chief Sustainability Officer at DNV GL, says:
“The Global Opportunity Explorer features lots of insights from a wide range of experts in addition to the 17,000 global business leaders. It also establishes a global hub which can inspire companies to navigate new markets and disrupt their business model aligning to the 17 Global Goals. From our position focusing on sustainability, technology and innovation, we are convinced that existing and new technologies will be combined and drive solutions supporting the world’s 2030 agenda.”
The Global Opportunity Explorer is created for everyone, and while the current 300 best solutions are revealed today, the platform relies on continuous co-creation and crowdsourcing to expand the existing pool of sustainable innovation. Everybody can nominate and contribute solutions through the platform’s submissions page.
Furthermore, businesses will eventually be able to connect with each other via the platform to form new strategic partnerships with the SDGs as a guiding force. Erik Rasmussen, Founder and CEO of Sustainia explains:
“We want companies to meet and partner up via the Global Opportunity Explorer. By using the SDGs as a market compass and by honoring the 17th Goal of collaborating and forming partnerships, I firmly believe businesses will have a better chance of creating long-term value that leaves us with a more sustainable world.”
Partnerships are also at the center of the Explorer. Most recently, Innovation Norway, a governmental organization, has become a partner of the platform, and more companies and organizations are expected to join.
The Global Opportunity Explorer currently features 300 solutions and 45 market opportunities and can be accessed from today, April 26, at globalopportunityexplorer.org.