The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) has released an update to its SDG Sector Roadmap Guidelines, developed in collaboration with ERM.

Building on practical application experience acquired through working with over 70 companies on the development of roadmaps for seven industries in recent years, this updated resource lays out a step-by-step process that companies from the same sector can follow as they come together to explore, articulate and realize a common vision for how their industry can leverage their unique potential to contribute to the SDG agenda.

ERM worked with the WBCSD on the initial development of the SDG Sector Roadmap Guidelines, published in 2018 in response to recommendations from the Business & Sustainable Development Commission’s landmark Better Business Better World report. The guidelines provide a structured framework and approach that companies can follow as they embark upon SDG road-mapping for their sector.

Since the launch of these guidelines in 2018, ERM has assisted the WBCSD in convening over 70 companies and several global industry associations to deliver the roadmaps for seven different industry sectors, creating important reference points that have helped to accelerate and optimize SDG impact across a number of industries including the Chemical, Indian Cement, Forest, US Agriculture, Electric Utilities, Oil and Gas and Tire sectors.

Keryn James, Chief Executive Officer, ERM said: “ERM has been privileged to work with WBCSD since 2017 on the SDG Sector Roadmap program, including the development of roadmaps for seven sectors. Sector roadmaps are a powerful example of how the private sector can navigate the immediate challenges they are facing and begin to build greater resilience as they plan for the road to 2030. With sustainability now at the center of many business models and strategies, SDG roadmaps can be used as a tool to help sectors lead, innovate, and challenge their approaches to shape a more sustainable future.”

Peter Bakker, CEO, WBCSD said: “We will only be able realize the ambitions of the SDGs and to tackle the unprecedented challenges that we face as a global society through pioneering collaboration, with sector peers coming together to plot a new course focused on a common vision. As we enter a critical make-or-break “Decade of Action” to deliver the SDGs by 2030, we hope that these updated guidelines can inspire even more sectors to develop roadmaps that identify the common solutions, opportunities and partnerships needed to help achieve the ambitions of the SDGs.”

Learn more about the SDG Sector Roadmaps and explore existing roadmaps in more detail