We live in a world that is increasingly defined by competition – for resources, profits, shareholder value, and relevance. And while competition is often viewed negatively, it also has the potential to drive innovation, performance, and accountability. Consider the impact we could then have by harnessing our inherently competitive spirit for the collective good of mankind. Sound far-fetched? Maybe not.

When considering both the imperative and the benefits for the private sector to deliver substantial action on the SDGs, the opportunity is ripe – and now – for a system-wide disruption.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by 193 countries in September 2015, outline a framework for a better global future by 2030.

They are ambitious, apply as much to New Delhi as they do to New York, and are changing the way we all think about and approach our work in global development and international cooperation.

When considering both the imperative and the benefits for the private sector to deliver substantial action on the SDGs, the opportunity is ripe – and now – for a system-wide disruption.

Enter the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA), an initiative that aims to create free, transparent, and comparable rankings of companies’ performance toward achieving the SDGs.

In partnership with Aviva, the UN Foundation, Index Initiative, and BSDC, the WBA is a direct recommendation of the BSDC’s flagship report and, kicked off a global consultation effort to ensure that its work builds on existing efforts already available and really listens to what consumers, NGOs, and companies themselves want to see from this bold new idea.

The vision of this alliance is to catalyze an environment in which everyone has access to information on corporate SDG performance to reward businesses that are doing well… and motivate those that are perhaps lagging behind.

Read the full article on competition for a sustainable future by Kaysie Brown at United Nations Foundation.