Lively speakers, panel discussions, a great deal of Twitter activity, and a full house with more than 200 participants set the scene when UNDP launched the new SDG Accelerator project in the UN City on Friday, January 19, 2018. The list of participants included people from the Danish business community, public authorities, universities and civil society.

It gave rise to optimism in respect of Danish companies’ work for sustainable development when more than 200 interested troops entered the UN City's lounge area to hear about the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) and UNDP's new project, the SDG Accelerator, which – put shortly – is a lever for sustainable innovation and business development.

The project, supported by The Danish Industry Foundation, aims to accelerate the private sector's commitment to the SDGs by assisting Danish small and medium-sized industrial and manufacturing companies in employing the so-called Global Goals as a means of developing new sustainable products and business models, and enhancing employee commitment to sustainability at all levels in the companies.

The launch was opened by Camilla Brückner, Director of UNDP's Nordic Representation Office, introducing the visions and aspirations behind the SDG Accelerator programme, and emphasizing that companies can gain new markets shares if they invest in sustainability. She was followed by Mads Lebech, Chief Executive Officer of the Danish Industry Foundation, underlining that the SDG Accelerator programme can contribute to growth and employment in the Danish business community. "The Global Goals provide a strong, visionary and sustainable framework for the businesses of tomorrow. The SDG Accelerator programme should serve as a springboard for business in which sustainability is reflected in the entire value chain, "stated Mads Lebech at the launch.

The SDGs as a framework for developing new business models

Martin Søegaard, Managing Partner at Deloitte Consulting Nordic, and one of the implementing partners in the project also spoke at the launch. He shared his take on how the Global Goals can act as a strategic framework for companies developing new business strategies. Martin presented the SDGs as a "clear framework for companies to create new sustainable business models".

The SDG Accelerator programme has an Advisory Board consisting of, amongst others, Jimmy Maymann, Chair of UN Live Online. Prior to the launch, he stressed the importance of thinking beyond the limits, as the sustainable market potential is enormous. He emphasized that Danish companies have the skills and competencies to be frontrunners in driving sustainable development.

How do we unlock the business and investment opportunities of the SDGs?

Following a short break with the opportunity to exchange business cards and replenish the coffee cup, it was time for a panel debate moderated by Pernille Enggaard, radio director of ”the Millionaire Club” at Radio24syv, and also one of the prominent members of the SDG Accelerator Advisory Board. Pernille was flanked by Neha Mehta, Manager, DESMI EnviRO-Clean, Claus Hviid Christensen, Innovation Director, Palsgaard, Peter Ib, CEO, Bluetown, Torben Möger Pedersen, CEO, Pension Danmark and Tommy Thomsen, CEO, IFU. Pernille moderated a discussion about the potential of the SDGs as a catalyst for business opportunities. The debate gave rise to even more interesting and relevant questions from the participants.

Before Camilla Brückner and Mads Lebech could open the champagne bottles and thank the many attendants, the Danish Minister for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, Brian Mikkelsen, rounded up the speeches by pointing out that the Global Goals are an essential lever to solve the challenges of the planet. The Minister pointed out that companies are crucial for achieving the SDGs and that more role models are needed, which is why the SDG Accelerator is an important and much needed initiative to ensure that we reach the Global Goals.

The programme is being tested in Denmark in 2018 and 2019 with a total of 30 Danish companies. UNDP's aim is to roll out the SDG Accelerator programme across the Nordics and afterwards on a global scale. The results of the innovations will be shared on a regular basis to inspire other companies and accelerate their commitment to the SGGs, both in Denmark and globally. The project will be implemented in cooperation with, among others, Monitor Deloitte and the Investment Fund for Developing Countries (IFU) as well as a number of other actors under the guidance of a specially selected Advisory Board and feedback group.

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