Construction industry and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Alex Opoku
Abstract
The UN 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development set out 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 169 targets and 231 unique indicators as a major initiative towards socio-economic development. Even though the activities of the construction industry have a negative impact on the environment, the industry can act as a driver towards the realisation of the SDGs. The construction industry as a whole has the opportunity to influence the realisation of the SDGs by formulating corporate policies and applying relevant regulatory frameworks that drive the adoption of sustainable construction practices. The SDGs provide the construction industry with a new lens through which global needs and desires can be translated into business solutions. This chapter explores the role of the construction industry in the efforts to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The research shows that, to successfully deliver the agenda, construction companies should align their business strategies with the SDGs.