The Chemical Industry and the UN SDGs

So how can the chemical industry contribute to the SDGs?

Overall the chemical industry and associated industries have for many years provided science and technology solutions that address global challenges such as: environmental protection through pollution prevention and greenhouse gas abatement technologies; healthcare and human well-being through medical devices, components and pharmaceutical products; and the efficient use of natural resources through the use of renewable feedstocks, the application of catalysis and expertise in re-using, recycling and refining of valuable metals. The UN SDGs provide a frame of reference to allow the industry to measure how it can have a global positive impact.

Although the SDG programme is only in its second year, many chemical companies are already aligning their strategy with the goals. For example, Dow has publically declared its commitment through alignment of its sustainability 2025 goals with the 17 UN SDGs (3). BASF has stated that it welcomes the SDGs and contributed to their development (4). AkzoNobel provides an update on its position with respect to the SDGs in its 2016 annual report (5).

Johnson Matthey and the UN SDGs

Within Johnson Matthey, we have evaluated and aligned our priorities against the SDGs to understand where our products, services, technologies and the way we run our business have the potential to make the greatest contribution. There are six SDGs where we believe we can make the biggest positive impact:

We have considered our ability to contribute to these in the context of our areas of material importance, risks, strategic themes and key performance indicators (Table I) (6).

Johnson Matthey, Sustainability and Our Markets

Customer demand for sustainable, technological solutions to global issues defines our markets. Johnson Matthey’s markets are driven by four global sustainability drivers (Figure 2). These four drivers present significant global challenges which Johnson Matthey believes can be addressed by science-led solutions; they also strongly align with specific UN SDG indicators.

Johnson Matthey’s Focus to 2025

We are continuing to apply sustainable business principles as the basis of our strategy and in 2017/18 we will introduce new targets to drive further progress over the next eight years to 2025. These will align to the strategic themes with emphasis on our contribution to sustainable development through our value chains, and through our science and technology. They will also allow us to demonstrate how Johnson Matthey uses inspiring science to enhance life.

Drawing on these material areas and an understanding of the contribution we can make in the world, we have defined six themes which form part of our sustainable business goals to 2025.

These are:

These themes will provide a framework as we continue to build a sustainable business. Goal 5 specifically will use the UN SDG framework to track progress and the overall global impact of the products and technologies that we provide to the market and the world.