Articles: Accelerating achievement of the SDGs: International business and the deployment of traditional knowledge

This paper explores traditional knowledge and its possible utilization by multinational enterprises (MNEs) in achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, with a particular focus on Goal 13, Climate Action. We argue that traditional knowledge has been overlooked by business leaders and policymakers who have failed to explore its potential in tackling some of the “grand challenges” facing the global economy. We suggest that achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals could be accelerated with the active involvement of MNEs. The key issues are what sort of involvement should they seek and what challenges must be overcome. We also outline policies to support the wider dissemination of traditional knowledge through MNE involvement.