ABSTRACT

Information and communication technology (ICT) is widely seen as a powerful and pervasive force for change throughout economies and societies, but the SDGs made little mention of the role that ICT might play in the realisation of these goals. Nevertheless, many see technology as a key enabler of such sweeping change, and the technology companies themselves have largely accorded with this view. The transformational power of ICT is seen in a range of contexts of relevance to the SDGs – the development of more sustainable patterns of production and consumption, infrastructural support for smart sustainable cities, information systems to support extended supply chains, recycling of ICT equipment and potential impact of the “new technologies,” including artificial intelligence, big data, robotics, social media, mobile computing and the Internet of Things. This chapter assesses the approach of ICT companies and industry bodies in addressing the SDGs and discusses the critical role that the industry can play in meeting the 2030 SDG agenda.