ESG GAMIFY SDG 9 TO RE-INNOVA TION ( INDUSTRIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE) LESSEN FUTURE SUSTAINBILITY FREEDOM FEAR
- Hey HA
- Aug 6
- 10 min read
by SIMII
A Perspective on Industry, Infrastructure, and Innovation
Imagine a world where the future isn't something that just happens to us—it's something we build together. That's the essence of SDG 9. It’s a vision for a world where our infrastructure is strong enough to weather any storm, our industries create solutions instead of pollution, and everyone, everywhere, has the chance to innovate. This is about more than concrete and code; it's about building a better quality of life for all people. Sustainable Development Goal 9 (SDG 9), as defined by the United Nations, aims to "build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation" by 2030. It emphasizes the development of quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, sustainable industrialization, and technological innovation to support economic growth and human well-being, particularly in developing countries. This goal is interconnected with other SDGs, such as SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
SDG 9 Targets
SDG 9 includes eight specific targets to guide its implementation:
9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and GDP, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in least developed countries (LDCs).
9.3: Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises, especially in developing countries, to financial services, including affordable credit, and their integration into value chains and markets.
9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, particularly developing countries, by 2030, encouraging innovation and increasing R&D workers and spending.
9.a: Facilitate sustainable and resilient infrastructure development in developing countries through enhanced financial, technological, and technical support to African countries, LDCs, landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), and small island developing states (SIDS).
9.b: Support domestic technology development, research, and innovation in developing countries, including by ensuring a conducive policy environment for industrial diversification and value addition.
9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology (ICT) and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in LDCs by 2020 (note: this target’s timeline has passed, and progress is ongoing).
The 8 iNTERNATIONAL (LABOUROUS -WORKERS COUNTY AND COUNTRES) Dreams of SDG 9 target
The United Nations has set out eight key goals, but let's look at them as shared dreams for humanity:
Dream 9.1: Build Our Shared Bridges: We dream of a world where communities are connected by reliable, affordable, and resilient infrastructure. This means having clean water, stable power grids, and safe roads and transit that serve everyone, no matter where they live.
Dream 9.2: Power Sustainable Work: We dream of an economy where our jobs are a source of pride and purpose. This means growing our industries in a way that is good for people and the planet, creating a stable and fair economy for everyone.
Dream 9.3: Empower the Smallest Dreamers: We dream of a world where every aspiring entrepreneur, from a small-town artisan to a tech startup founder, has access to the tools they need to succeed—like fair loans and a place in the global market.
Dream 9.4: Rebuild Our Foundation: We dream of factories and businesses that run on clean energy and smart technology, producing amazing things without harming the environment. We want to clean up the old ways and build a sustainable, efficient future.
Dream 9.5: Unleash Our Inner Innovators: We dream of a global community that values discovery and creativity. This means investing in our researchers and scientists, encouraging everyone to ask "what if?" and giving them the resources to find the answers.
Dream 9.a: Lend a Hand to Our Neighbors: We dream of a world where we all help each other build for the future. Wealthier nations and businesses will provide the financial and technological support needed for developing countries to build their own strong, resilient infrastructure.
Dream 9.b: Nurture Local Brilliance: We dream of a world that celebrates local innovation. We want to create policies that help countries develop their own unique technologies, creating new industries and adding value to their local economies.
Dream 9.c: Connect Everyone, Everywhere: We dream of a digital world where everyone is invited to the conversation. This means providing universal, affordable internet access so that no one is left behind in our rapidly connected world.
The Heartbeat of SDG 9: Progress and Challenges
The journey toward these dreams has had its ups and downs. On one hand, global manufacturing is growing, and we are getting better at building smart factories that use less energy. We’ve also made incredible strides in connecting people—today, nearly everyone on Earth has access to some form of mobile broadband.
But the journey is far from over. A significant digital divide still exists, especially in places like sub-Saharan Africa, where millions are still waiting to be connected. The COVID-19 pandemic showed us how fragile our supply chains and small businesses can be. The challenge now is to build back stronger, smarter, and with more heart.
Ethical Tokens: Connecting Innovation to Our Humanity
This is where the ethical tokens you’ve already envisioned become so powerful. They're not just for decent work; they're the glue that connects our technological progress to our human values.
The Fair Work Token & SDG 9: We can link this token to the success of a company's sustainable industrialization (SDG 9.2, 9.4). A company that invests in retrofitting a factory with green technology (SDG 9.4) and simultaneously ensures every new job created is a "Fair Work" job, earns a special merit. This token would be a stamp of approval, showing that their innovation is not just clean, but also kind and just.
The Youth Decency Index (YDI) & SDG 9: The YDI is the perfect tool for tracking innovation (SDG 9.5). When a company invests in R&D, we can use the YDI to audit their practices. Are young researchers paid fairly? Are they mentored? Is the work environment one of joy and psychological safety? A high YDI score would show that the company is not just creating new products, but also creating a nurturing environment for the next generation of innovators.
The Regenerative Career Map & SDG 9: This map becomes our compass for navigating the future of work. It would highlight the new careers being created by sustainable industrialization (SDG 9.2) and green innovation (SDG 9.4). Young people could use this map to find fulfilling, purpose-driven jobs in fields like renewable energy, circular economy logistics, or sustainable infrastructure design—careers that heal the planet while providing a decent living.
Leading the Way: Nations and Innovators
Many countries and companies are already showing us what's possible:
Germany leads with its "Industry 4.0" initiative, using smart manufacturing to create more efficient and sustainable factories, which in turn leads to cleaner air for local communities.
Japan is building a "Society 5.0" that uses technology to solve social problems, from making infrastructure more resilient to helping an aging population.
South Korea and China are rapidly deploying next-generation internet and building green energy infrastructure, connecting millions and showing what's possible on a global scale.
Microsoft is a good example of corporate leadership, investing in sustainable data centers to ensure that our digital world doesn't harm the physical one.
Progress and Challenges
Global progress on SDG 9 has been mixed. According to the 2023 UN SDG Report:
Manufacturing: Global manufacturing value added per capita rose by 16% from 2015 to 2023, reaching $1,922, but regional disparities remain significant (e.g., $4,986 in Europe/North America vs. $163 in sub-Saharan Africa).
CO2 Intensity: CO2 intensity in manufacturing has decreased, but progress is insufficient to meet 2030 targets.
Technology and Innovation: Medium-high and high-technology industries grew in 2022, driven by sectors like automotive and electronics, but LDCs lag with only 10.6% share in such industries compared to 47.7% in Europe/North America.
ICT Access: Mobile broadband (3G or above) covers 95% of the global population, and 4G coverage reached 88% by 2022, but sub-Saharan Africa and LDCs face significant connectivity gaps (18% coverage gap in sub-Saharan Africa).
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated challenges
disrupting global value chains, affecting small-scale industries, and slowing the rollout of mobile broadband networks. Despite these setbacks, opportunities exist to foster sustainable industrialization through technology transfer and green transitions.
Leading Nations in SDG 9 Implementation
Based on the Sustainable Development Report 2025, which tracks SDG progress across 193 UN Member States, the following countries demonstrate leadership in SDG 9 due to their advancements in infrastructure, industrialization, and innovation. These nations score highly on the SDG Index, particularly for SDG 9 metrics like manufacturing value added, R&D expenditure, and ICT access.
Germany:
Strengths: High manufacturing value added ($4,986 per capita in Europe/North America region), leadership in medium-high and high-tech industries (47.7% of manufacturing), and significant R&D investment (3.13% of GDP). Germany’s robust infrastructure and policies supporting green technology make it a leader.
ESG Leadership: Companies like Siemens and BASF integrate SDG 9 into their operations through sustainable manufacturing and innovation in clean technologies.
Japan:
Strengths: Strong focus on high-tech industries (e.g., electronics, automotive) and innovation, with 3.3% of GDP spent on R&D. Japan excels in sustainable infrastructure and ICT access (near-universal 4G coverage).
ESG Leadership: Firms like Toyota and Hitachi prioritize energy-efficient technologies and sustainable supply chains.
South Korea:
Strengths: Rapid industrialization and innovation, with a high share of medium-high and high-tech manufacturing (47.1% in Eastern Asia). South Korea invests heavily in ICT and 5G infrastructure.
ESG Leadership: Companies like Samsung and LG lead in green technology and ethical supply chain practices.
United States:
Strengths: High R&D expenditure (2.8% of GDP) and leadership in ICT and innovation. The U.S. drives global technology development but faces challenges in equitable infrastructure access.
ESG Leadership: Tech giants like Microsoft and Google invest in sustainable data centers and renewable energy.
China:
Strengths: Rapid infrastructure development and manufacturing growth (47.1% medium-high/high-tech manufacturing in Eastern Asia). China leads in 5G deployment and renewable energy infrastructure.
ESG Leadership: Companies like BYD and Huawei focus on green energy and ICT innovation, though governance challenges persist.
These nations are ranked highly due to their overall SDG scores (e.g., Germany: 86.0, Japan: 84.5 in the 2025 SDG Index) and specific progress in SDG 9 metrics. However, even leading nations face challenges in fully meeting 2030 targets, particularly in reducing inequalities in digital access and supporting LDCs.
Leadership in ESG within SDG 9 Sectors
The private sector plays a critical role in SDG 9 through ESG frameworks, focusing on sustainable industrialization, infrastructure, and innovation. Below are key sectors and leading companies demonstrating ESG leadership aligned with SDG 9:
Manufacturing:
Siemens (Germany): Integrates ESG by developing energy-efficient technologies and smart manufacturing systems. Siemens supports SDG 9.4 by retrofitting industries for sustainability.
Toyota (Japan): Pioneers hybrid and electric vehicles, aligning with SDG 9.4’s focus on clean technologies. Its governance practices emphasize ethical supply chains.
Technology/ICT:
Microsoft (USA): Commits to carbon-negative operations by 2030, supporting SDG 9.4 and 9.c through sustainable data centers and global broadband initiatives.
Huawei (China): Leads in 5G infrastructure deployment, enhancing ICT access (SDG 9.c), though it faces governance scrutiny.
Infrastructure:
Vinci (France): A global leader in sustainable construction, Vinci focuses on resilient infrastructure (SDG 9.1) and low-carbon projects, with strong ESG reporting.
Acciona (Spain): Specializes in renewable energy infrastructure, aligning with SDG 9.4 and 9.a by supporting developing countries with clean energy solutions.
Innovation/R&D:
Samsung (South Korea): Invests heavily in R&D (7.8% of revenue), driving innovation in semiconductors and sustainable technologies (SDG 9.5).
Philips (Netherlands): Focuses on health technology innovation, supporting SDG 9.5 through R&D in medical devices and sustainable healthcare solutions.
These companies align their strategies with SDG 9 by embedding ESG principles, such as reducing carbon emissions, fostering inclusive innovation, and ensuring ethical governance. The UN Global Compact and GRI’s “Integrating the SDGs into Corporate Reporting” guide emphasizes “principled prioritization” to align corporate actions with SDG targets.
Table: SDG 9 Targets and Leading Lesson to learn from Nations/Companies
Target | Description | Leading Nations | Leading Companies | ESG Focus |
9.1 | Resilient infrastructure | Germany, Japan, China | Vinci, Acciona | Sustainable construction, equitable access |
9.2 | Sustainable industrialization | Germany, South Korea, China | Siemens, Toyota | Green manufacturing, employment growth |
9.3 | Small-scale enterprise access | USA, Japan | Microsoft, Huawei | Financial inclusion, value chain integration |
9.4 | Sustainable industries | Germany, Japan, Netherlands | Siemens, Philips | Clean technologies, resource efficiency |
9.5 | Innovation and R&D | South Korea, USA, Japan | Samsung, Microsoft | R&D investment, technology transfer |
9.a | Support for developing countries | Germany, USA | Acciona, Siemens | Financial/technical support for LDCs |
9.b | Domestic technology development | China, South Korea | Huawei, Samsung | Policy support, local innovation |
9.c | ICT access | South Korea, USA, China | Microsoft, Huawei | Broadband expansion, digital inclusion |
Action Demand Leadership for SDG 9 Implementation
Effective leadership is critical for SDG 9, requiring innovative, collaborative, and ethical approaches:
National Leadership: Governments in leading nations like Germany and Japan set policies to support green transitions and innovation. For example, Germany’s Industry 4.0 initiative promotes smart manufacturing, while Japan’s Society 5.0 focuses on technology-driven sustainability.
Corporate Leadership: Boards of directors increasingly integrate SDG 9 into ESG strategies. For instance, 40% of boards received ESG training in 2022, and 50% of CEOs have pay tied to sustainability goals, incentivizing progress.
Youth and Community Leadership: Initiatives like UN Women’s GirlsGoIT and Technovation Challenge empower young women in technology, fostering innovation (SDG 9.5).
Global Collaboration: The UN Global Compact and World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders (YGL) advocate for public-private partnerships to drive SDG 9. Examples include The Circulars Acceleration Network, which fosters circular economy solutions.
Challenges and Recommendations
Challenges: Regional disparities, insufficient investment in LDCs ($1 trillion annual gap), and post-COVID recovery setbacks hinder progress. Political and funding constraints also limit global coherence.
Recommendations:
Increase investment in LDCs for infrastructure and industrialization (SDG 9.a).
Promote public-private partnerships to close the $3.9 trillion SDG funding gap.
Enhance ESG training for corporate boards to strengthen governance (SDG 9.4, 9.5).
Accelerate technology transfer to developing countries to support local innovation (SDG 9.b).
Final call of Implementation to all nations success
SDG 9 is pivotal for sustainable economic growth and innovation. Leading nations like Germany, Japan, South Korea, the USA, and China drive progress through robust infrastructure, industrialization, and R&D investments. Companies like Siemens, Microsoft, and Huawei align ESG strategies with SDG 9, focusing on clean technologies and digital inclusion. However, achieving 2030 targets requires intensified global collaboration, increased funding, and inclusive leadership to address disparities and ensure sustainable development for all.
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