"The global development agenda remains large. Fulfilling that agenda cannot be achieved without bringing business more directly into the development process. This comprehensive book covers the challenges and opportunities on how harnessing business through finance, technology and law reform can help mobilize the estimated US$4.5 trillion required to finance the SDGs. I recommend this book to business leaders, academics, policy makers, financial institutions, and anyone with a deep interest in achieving the SDGs." —Lotte Schou-Zibell, Chief of Finance Sector Group - Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department, Asian Development Bank

"After the Green Revolution in the late 1950s, the official commencement of the WTO in 1995 and the Millennium Development Goals in 2000, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of 2015 represent the next great step in co-operative globalism. Nations alone cannot achieve that step; nations working together with the private sector and civil society can do so. This important book points the way." —Mike Moore, ONZ, AO, PC, former New Zealand Prime Minister; former NZ Ambassador to the USA; former Director General of the World Trade Organization

"The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals have been described as overly ambitious and incapable of fulfillment by nation states. The key message of this book, however, is that such criticism loses much of its force where nations are joined by powerful private sector actors to achieve these goals. This groundbreaking book points to the pivotal – and redemptive – role the private sector can play in achieving them. It should be on every CEO's bookshelf."
—Richard H. Steinberg, J.D., Ph.D, Professor of Law & Political Science, University of California, Los Angeles; Member, Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee, USTR, Executive Office of the President

"It is often assumed that governments will take the lead in meeting the United Nations Sustainable Developments Goals, with the private sector playing a subsidiary role. This timely book demonstrates convincingly that the involvement of the private sector is crucial. It provides a trail-blazing guide to a sustainable future for our world." —Prof. Thomas Lundmark, HK Bevan Chair in Law, University of Hull, UK

"This is new territory, and this book is an ambitious and laudable guide. It offers both the private sector and governments a first road map to one of the great challenges of our time. Just as importantly, it is an invitation to innovators around the globe to further explore ways to bridge the gap between finance and sustainable development." —Dean Pawlowic, J.D., M.A., Professor of Law Emeritus, Texas Tech University School of Law

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through Finance, Technology and Law Reform

Achieving the SDGs requires a fundamental rethink from businesses and governments across the globe. To make the ambitious goals a reality, trillions of dollars need to be harnessed to mobilise finance and accelerate progress towards the SDGs.

Bringing together leaders from the World Bank, the financial and business sectors, the startup community and academia, this important, topically relevant volume explains what the SDGs are, how they came about and how they can be accelerated. Real-world case studies and authoritative insights address how to direct investment of existing financial resources and re-align the global financial system to reflect the SDGs.

In depth chapters discuss how financial institutions, such as UBS Wealth Management, Manulife Asset Management and Moody’s Rating Agency are supporting the SDGs. The opportunities arising from Blockchain, Big Data, Digital Identity and cutting-edge FinTech and RegTech applications are explored, whilst the relevance of sustainable and transparent global supply chains is underscored. Significant attention is paid to law reform which can accelerate progress of the SDGs through SME Financing, Crowdfunding, Peer-to-Peer Lending and tax restructuring.

To achieve the ‘World We Want’, much needs to be done. The recommendations contained within this book are critical for supporting a fundamental shift in thinking from business and governments around the world, and for building a more just and prosperous future for all.