The central aim for companies is not merely to cut costs; these organizations also generate profit while contributing to society and the environment, aligning their operations with broader sustainable objectives. The growing emphasis on the so‑called Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is reinforced by United Nations support, a trend felt by firms across many regions, including North America and Europe.
In Alicante, as an example, a sizable share of firms has integrated SDG considerations into their strategy. A recent study titled Implementing the SDGs in Alicante, conducted for the Alicante Provincial Council, shows that about 73.5% of local companies are familiar with these goals, and more than six out of ten operate internal social responsibility policies. The research notes that 108 firms of various sizes participated, with key leaders from UA’s CSR office and others contributing to the findings. This collaboration underscores a practical shift: social and governance initiatives are becoming central to business planning, not just a side effort.
The analysis highlights that Alicante’s private sector appears to focus more on social issues than environmental ones, with the most attention given to promoting decent work and economic growth. Many apps and policies developed in this context contribute to that objective, often without explicit recognition of their alignment with SDG 8.1. In this way, workforce development, fair hiring practices, and safe working conditions are embedded in everyday operations, advancing sustainable growth at the ground level.
Practically, nearly nine out of ten companies provide ongoing education to help employees adapt to new technologies. They also emphasize gender equality, with 46% reporting formal protocols against gender-based violence and 56% considering an employee’s personal situation when deciding changes to working conditions. These practices reflect a broader push to create resilient labor markets across North America as well as Europe, where responsible governance and workforce empowerment are seen as core drivers of long-term value.
On the other side of the SDG spectrum, concerns about hunger, malnutrition, and healthy lifestyles receive less emphasis among the surveyed firms. For instance, only 40% make monetary donations and 36% contribute products or services. Even fewer, 24%, implement programs to reduce food waste or promote healthy habits among workers. This gap suggests opportunities for cross-border collaboration, where North American initiatives around nutrition, food security, and employee wellness could inspire more robust actions among Alicante’s business community and similar markets.