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What Comes After 2030? Contribution of Private Sector to the SDG Agenda

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

As the deadline for the SDGs draws nearer, many ask what comes after 2030. A webinar, organized by the Center for Responsible Business and Leadership at Católica Lisbon, in partnership with the UN Global Compact Network Portugal, explored the contribution of the private sector to shaping the future of the SDG agenda.

The webinar was the second in a series themed, ‘What Comes After 2030? The Future of the SDG Agenda.’ Held in early January 2026, it brought together business leaders and industry representatives from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and Nestlé to explore how companies can accelerate change and act as catalysts for systemic transformation beyond 2030.

Discussions highlighted the important role businesses play in the innovation sphere and their capacity to extend across the supply chain, reaching multiple sectors and geographies. Participants agreed that while many businesses operate under significant pressure points, such as climate change and breached planetary boundaries, there are opportunities innovation can bring to scale solutions and drive transformation needed to deliver on the SDGs up to 2030 and beyond.

However, speakers emphasized, for this to happen, sustainability cannot be seen as optional, but rather as a business imperative. Only through collaborative governance and a coherent, integrated policy framework is it possible to move at the necessary pace and turn ambition into action.

Participants also noted it is essential to look at the broader interconnected system in which businesses operate, at the intersection of climate, nature, and people. They acknowledged that addressing these themes together will enable businesses to pursue climate neutrality while simultaneously supporting communities.

At the same time, reflecting on what has worked in the current framework, what didn’t, and the lessons learned can provide valuable insights for the future. Speakers underscored that establishing a common language, across different constituencies, including businesses and governments, is key as differences in terminologies often hinder coherence and alignment. A shared language, they said, can help to better understand what the shared challenge is, identify barriers, and support a coordinated and effective implementation.

Private sector representatives shared experiences on how businesses are focusing on sustainability in the five years left to 2030, including by enabling a shift to regenerative agriculture through technical support and trainings for farmers, as well as finance and data collection.

In conclusion, speakers noted that while it is difficult to think long-term, especially in the current geopolitical climate, it is important to recognize the progress achieved over the ten years of the SDG agenda, including in areas such as the energy transition, scientific advancements, and renewables. They emphasized that the “ethos of sustainability” has become increasingly embedded in the economy and among citizens, as demonstrated by shifts in consumption patterns and behaviors.

Participants agreed that going forward, the interaction between technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship will be key in driving higher impact in areas such as education, health, and technology. They called for focus on collaborative governance, including citizen and business engagement, to ensure progress on the 2030 Agenda and beyond amid global challenges and transformations.

Held last year, the first webinar of the series focused on the broader landscape of the post-2030 Agenda and the future of the SDGs. The main takeaway was that “2030 should not mark the end of the agenda – it should mark the beginning of its reinvention.” At the same time, the webinar emphasized the importance of looking at the sustainable development agenda in a more dynamic way and put effort into implementation and cross-sectoral partnerships.