Sustainable Development Goal 17 (SDG 17), “Partnerships for the Goals”, is the cornerstone of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It seeks to strengthen global partnerships that mobilise and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources to support the achievement of all other SDGs. This goal emphasises the necessity of inclusive, cross-sector collaboration – between governments, the private sector, civil society, and academia – to drive meaningful and measurable progress in sustainability.
SDG 17 is not just about collaboration for collaboration’s sake. It highlights the complex interdependence between actors and sectors, requiring deliberate efforts to forge strong, accountable, and inclusive partnerships. From mobilising financial support to ensuring capacity-building in developing nations, SDG 17 challenges us to rethink how we work together for the greater good.
Achieving SDG 17 Through Strategic Collaboration
In today’s rapidly evolving sustainability landscape, real transformation cannot occur in isolation. Achieving SDG 17 requires multi-stakeholder action and integrated strategies that transcend borders and industries. This includes building trust, co-creating solutions, and aligning goals across entities with diverse interests. Such collaborations can fast-track innovations, unlock funding for sustainable initiatives, and scale positive impact globally.
This article explores sustainable business strategies for achieving SDG 17 and presents a case study on how Bernard Business Consulting (BBC) is advancing this agenda through effective partnerships that strengthen ESG capacity, foster innovation, and drive systemic change in Malaysia and beyond.
Sustainable Business Strategies for SDG 17
Businesses play a vital role in promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions. Here are five key strategies aligned with SDG 17:
Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration Platforms
Create or join industry alliances, local networks, or global platforms that promote sustainability through shared resources, ideas, and technologies. These platforms allow for co-learning and co-investment in sustainable solutions.Cross-Sector Partnerships
Partner with NGOs, governments, and research institutions to implement ESG frameworks or sustainability initiatives. These partnerships often bring in new expertise and resources that enhance a business’s positive social and environmental impact.Capacity-Building Initiatives
Empower stakeholders within the supply chain or customer base with sustainability training, ESG workshops, or knowledge-sharing sessions. By building others’ capabilities, businesses help raise collective standards.Technology Sharing and Innovation
Invest in the development and dissemination of sustainable technologies, particularly in under-resourced regions or industries. Technology transfer can be a key enabler of progress in less developed areas.Impact-Driven Financing and Investment
Mobilise finance through green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, or impact investment frameworks that prioritise long-term value creation over short-term gain.
Case Study: How Bernard Business Consulting Forges Strategic Partnerships for Sustainable Development
Background
Bernard Business Consulting (BBC) is a Malaysia-based one-stop ESG and sustainability solution provider dedicated to accelerating sustainability transitions for businesses for transformational change. Guided by the belief that true transformation comes through unity and collaboration, BBC has applied SDG 17.
BBC combines strategy, education, and technical advisory to deliver ESG and sustainability solutions that are both scalable and deeply localised. From interactive e-learning courses to detailed carbon accounting and verification services, their offerings are designed to empower stakeholders across the value chain to create positive impact.
Challenges
Like many sustainability-focused consultancies, BBC faced several challenges in operationalising SDG 17:
- Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Balancing the expectations of corporate clients, public sector bodies, and local communities.
- Lack of ESG Awareness among SMEs: Many small and medium enterprises had limited exposure to ESG requirements and perceived sustainability as a cost rather than an opportunity.
- Fragmented Efforts in the Sustainability Space: Overlapping initiatives and lack of coordination and the awareness of the importance of unity often reduced the overall impact of sustainability programmes and partnership
Solutions and Implementation
To address these challenges and fully embody the principles of SDG 17, Bernard Business Consulting adopted a multi-faceted approach:
Cross-Country Partnerships to Deliver Accessible and Innovative Solutions
BBC has built strong partnerships with organisations in Austria, South Korea, Hong Kong, and the Middle East to co-develop practical and cost-effective sustainability solutions for businesses in Malaysia and beyond.One key example is the Greenhouse Solar Dryer, developed in collaboration with Austria’s CONA Solar. BBC brings market insights and client challenges to the table, while CONA provides advanced solar thermal technology. Together, they design tailored solutions that address real business needs — such as helping palm oil producers convert fruit waste into valuable products, contributing to a circular economy.
Strategic Engagement with Government Bodies
BBC actively collaborates with government agencies including the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO), and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA). These partnerships enable the exchange of industry insights, alignment with international standards, and access to funding support.For example, to help the palm oil sector navigate the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), BBC convened sessions featuring MPOB, MPOC, and MSPO to share practical guidance and capacity-building initiatives.
Furthermore, as a registered vendor under MIDA, BBC assists businesses in applying for the Domestic Investment Accelerator Fund (DIAF) to support ESG adoption. This serves as a strong example of impact-driven financing in action.
- Co-Founding and Supporting Sustainability Networks
BBC plays a central role in building sustainability communities through online platforms, live sessions, and public workshops. These spaces foster peer-to-peer learning, collaborative problem-solving, and shared impact across sectors. - Development of ESG-Focused Learning Platforms
Through the Bernard Business Academy, BBC offers a variety of ESG-related programmes — including public workshops, corporate training, and custom-designed learning experiences. These initiatives enhance ESG capacity across organisations and industries, making sustainability knowledge more accessible and actionable.
Impacts
BBC’s collaborative approach has delivered wide-ranging and lasting impacts:
- Wider ESG Awareness and Behavioural Change:
Through workshops and dialogues, BBC has helped shift ESG from a perceived compliance burden to a strategic enabler, especially in sectors like agriculture and manufacturing. - Accelerated Knowledge Transfer and Cross-Sector Learning:
BBC’s partnerships facilitate rich exchanges between policymakers, businesses, researchers, and civil society, sparking innovations like traceability systems and circular economy models. - Tangible Policy Influence and Systemic Support:
By engaging with government bodies, BBC contributes to inclusive, data-driven policy design. Its EUDR-related work supports compliance and market access for local businesses. - Strengthened Sustainable Value Chains:
BBC’s services in carbon accounting and ESG frameworks improve traceability and sustainability performance, helping Malaysia enhance its global certification and competitiveness. - Promotion of Green Innovation Through Global Collaboration:
Initiatives like the Greenhouse Solar Dryer introduce low-carbon solutions to local markets, reducing waste, creating new revenue streams, and supporting the circular economy. - Enhanced Access to ESG-Linked Financing:
As a MIDA-registered vendor, BBC helps businesses tap into government funding such as the DIAF, making ESG adoption financially feasible for SMEs. - Creation of a Sustainability-Driven Business Community:
Through the Bernard Business Academy, BBC has cultivated a network of ESG champions who multiply impact by spreading knowledge, advocating for change, and inspiring others.
Conclusion
SDG 17, “Partnerships for the Goals”, reminds us that no single entity can solve global challenges alone. The path to a sustainable future lies in working together — pooling expertise, sharing responsibility, and building inclusive systems that uplift communities and protect the planet.
Bernard Business Consulting stands as a model for how businesses can implement SDG 17 through meaningful partnerships. Through cross-sector collaboration, policy engagement, and ESG education, BBC shows that sustainable development is not a solo act but a collaborative symphony of stakeholders working towards a shared goal.
Our team of passionate sustainability practitioners is committed to co-creating innovative, scalable solutions that make a positive and lasting impact on both people and the planet. We continuously seek like-minded individuals and partners who share our mission to accelerate ESG adoption and build a more sustainable future.
References:
Goal 17 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal17