ENS 201.03 Group 1

SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

What is SDG 9?

We are trying to accomplish the ideas and developments relating to sustainable industrialization and resilient infrastructure, while also promoting inclusivity and fostering innovation within communities and cities.

The goal is to facilitate and support significant increases in the advancements of technology and improvements in buildings and other infrastructures that are in need of growth. These developments need to be built sustainably and environmentally friendly to ensure the safety and security of the community in which they serve.

Target 9.1 - Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.

Target 9.1 of Sustainable Development Goal 9 ties directly to Muskegon's development and community planning goals for the future. For example, Muskegon has a sustainability plan that manages how they are updating their developments such as:

Green Building Policy for new and renovated buildings
Updating plumbing in priority areas to reduce excessive water use

How have other cities addressed this goal?

Across the board, most cities have addressed SDG 9 by investing in startup businesses, offering resources to aid in helping the renewal of businesses, or working towards more resilient infrastructure.

Helsinki, Finland

This city has addressed SDG 9 by investing in the growth and renewal of entrepreneurship and business. They provide aid to start a business and strengthen the ability of startups to grow in certain industries. Another area they focus on in SDG 9 is urban planning. The city plans to rely more on public transport, while still preserving the green, recreational values of the city.

Los Angeles, California

Implementing a program that will require building owners to disclose their buildings’ energy and water consumption is one way L.A. is targeting SDG 9. They use this to ensure that the building owners comply with energy and water efficiency standards.

Kitakyushu, Japan

They are working toward building more resilient infrastructure, creating more sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation. They have developed as an industrial city with a 24-hour airport, expressways, and central international ports. Their main source of emissions comes from their industrial sector. To keep their industrial base, they are finding ways to innovate so that they can continue the shipment of manufactured goods.

How can Muskegon address this goal?

The city of Muskegon plans to develop a county-wide approach to improving and maintaining infrastructure, including existing and new areas.

Low-impact development requirements for all new or redeveloped county infrastructure have mimicked natural water processes and protected water quality. Green infrastructure and greenspace protection include using native plants for county landscaping, preserving the natural land, and promoting public access to public land.

The expansion of water and sewer pipes into developed areas with contamination issues ensures that the existing infrastructure is preserved and can be used for future projects.

The Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, or EGLE supervises development applications where the land meets a body of water in Michigan. Requirements that are established by EGLE determine if new project sites like Adelaide Pointe or Windward Pointe can continue. These Muskegon developments are held to clean environmental standards where contamination could occur. New aspects of development that require approval include the installation of water mains, sewers, and natural soil that could be moved during construction.

How do other SDG goals relate to this goal?

Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Over 40% of people across the globe do not have access to clean water, in part due to a lack in proper infrastructure. From simple water wells to large scale water sanitation facilities, there must be proper sanitation of water in order to achieve sustainability in the future.

Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Clean energy is an industry which has seen consistent growth since the year 2000, and will be key to a sustainable future. To see access to affordable clean energy options increase, even more growth in clean infrastructure, such as solar and wind power will need to happen on a global scale.

Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle has been a staple phrase for the younger generations growing up. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that the world addresses the level of resources being used, the amount of those being wasted, and how to properly dispose of what we are using. Sustainable consumption and allocation of resources will be important to achieve harmony between Goal 12 and Goal 9.

Goal 14: Life Below Water

Whereas in other goals, the way to achieve a more sustainable world seems to be increasing infrastructure, Goal 14 requires a different approach in synchrony with Goal 9. Better environments for all life living in our oceans, lakes, and aquatic ecosystems require reduction in infrastructure producing waste which pollutes those organisms. Cleaner infrastructure and better regulation by a slew of industries will contribute a major difference to reducing the amount of carbon dioxide and waste sent to our water.

Goal 15: Life on Land

Loss of natural habitats, such as forests, will devastate every living species. Forests are crucial in the fight against climate change, as they are able to keep carbon from ending up in Earth's atmosphere, they provide biodiverse habitats for an incredible amount of species, and they even house resources for clean water. Industry has a large hand in deforestation. With the need for more land to build various new types of infrastructure as well as the need for lumber driving the efforts of removal, regulation will be key to satisfying solutions for Goal 9 and Goal 15.