Why companies from developing markets are crucial for meeting the SDGs

Every January since 2020, the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA) publishes its updated SDG2000 list, which includes the 2000 most influential and well-positioned companies to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the transformations underpinning the SDGs.

When we talk about the SDG2000 and influential companies, people usually think about well-known brands. For example, big tech companies, such as Apple and Amazon, or food leaders like Cargill or Unilever – brands that are often under constant social and environmental scrutiny.

Given that these companies are typically headquartered in Western, ‘developed’ markets – are we overlooking the ones with the potential for the biggest impact?

We know that the private sector has a crucial role to play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, most high-profile initiatives and reports tend to focus on how listed, multinational companies from the global north can capitalise on and contribute to achieving the SDGs.

If we’re serious about achieving these goals, we must pay more attention to companies from emerging and developing economies as their impact is ever growing.