Reduce inequality within and among countries
Economic growth reduces poverty only if it is inclusive, yet inequality persists within and among countries, and large disparities remain in terms of access to health and education services and other assets.
This SDG has several 2030 targets to which every company can contribute. These targets aim to achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40% of the population at a rate higher than the national average; empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all; ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action; and encourage financial flows to areas where the need is greatest.
Every Future-Fit Business must avoid slowing down progress toward this SDG by:
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Procurement of goods and services does not hinder progress.
The environmental and social footprints of a company’s supply chain affect society’s progress towards many of the global challenges that the SDGs seek to address. By taking steps to increase the fitness of its supply chain, the company encourages actions that support the related SDGs.
Learn more about Break-Even Goal 04 -
Paying its employees a living wage and actively encouraging suppliers to do the same.
This ensures that workers across the value chain (and in particular the bottom 40% of the population) can afford a decent standard of living for their families.
Learn more about Break-Even Goal 11 -
Eliminating employee discrimination and actively encouraging suppliers to do the same
This ensures that workers across the value chain – irrespective of age, gender, disability, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status – have equal access to employment, training and advancement opportunities.
Learn more about Break-Even Goal 13 -
Actively soliciting, impartially judging and transparently addressing employee concerns and actively encouraging suppliers to do the same.
This ensures that workers across the value chain are empowered to voice concerns over unequal treatment or breaches to their rights, and that such concerns are handled appropriately.
Learn more about Break-Even Goal 14 -
Paying the right tax in the right place at the right time.
This ensures that taxes flow fairly to support the development of physical and social infrastructure in those areas that the business depends upon.
Learn more about Break-Even Goal 21 -
Investing in assets that do not hinder progress.
The environmental and social footprints of a company’s investments affect society’s progress towards many of the global challenges that the SDGs seek to address. By taking steps to increase the fitness of its financial assets, the company encourages actions that support the related SDGs.
Learn more about Break-Even Goal 23
Any Future-Fit Business may actively speed up progress toward this SDG by:
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Ensuring people's capabilities are strengthened.
Providing social protection to all will tackle inequality.
Learn more about Positive Pursuit 17 -
Ensuring individual freedoms are upheld for more people.
Empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
Learn more about Positive Pursuit 19 -
Ensuring social cohesion is strengthened.
Empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, ensures people with different backgrounds have similar life opportunities and reduces inequalities.
Learn more about Positive Pursuit 20 -
Strengthening infrastructure in pursuit of future-fitness.
Developing quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure removes barriers to wellbeing and protects the health of the environment.
Learn more about Positive Pursuit 21 -
Strengthening governance in pursuit of future-fitness.
Ensuring governance is accountable, participatory, responsive, responsible and transparent removes barriers to wellbeing and protects the health of the environment.
Learn more about Positive Pursuit 22 -
Strengthening market mechanisms in pursuit of future-fitness.
Overcoming technological, knowledge and incentive barriers through the use of market mechanisms removes barriers to wellbeing and protects the health of the environment.
Learn more about Positive Pursuit 23 -
Aligning social norms to increasingly support the pursuit of future-fitness.
Ensuring social norms align with socially and environmentally responsible behaviour removes barriers to wellbeing and protects the health of the environment.
Learn more about Positive Pursuit 24
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