SDG #9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Thanks to Environmental Youth Ambassador Mohamed Ouabbou for this guest blog post about the ninth Sustainable Development Goal! This post is part of our "Road to Marrakech" social media campaign leading up to COP22. The next Sustainable Development Goal we are highlighting is SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.

The Industrial Revolution was a long time ago - and we now know that access to technologies and resilient infrastructure have a long-lasting impact on inclusive growth. We also know that unsustainable industry and infrastructure are one of the biggest contributions to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

The ninth Sustainable Develop Goal centers around "Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure". It is about building the most sustainable future for everyone around the world in an environmentally way.

Meghan Werft's op-ed on Global Citizen argues that these three mean:

• "Industry: A world where we can renewable energy and innovative knowledge equally with one another.
• "Innovation: A world where humans can advance and progress together.
• "Infrastructure: A world with no slums, where everyone has access to sustainable resilient materials to build a safe, secure home."

Sadly, we are still a long ways from this goal as a reality. Over half the world's population lives in cities. 2.5 billion people lack access to basic sanitation and almost 800 million people lack access to water. Over 4 billion people do not have access to the Internet. More than half of the world's workers are in insecure jobs with poor pay and limited access to both education and social insurance. Investing in technology, scientific research, and innovation are all important ways to facilitate sustainable development. 

The gender gap of sustainable development is particularly prominent in this goal. UN Women has found that the vast majority of researchers are still men. Women must have equal opportunities in building a shared sustainable future.

Investing in technology and innovation would create more jobs. Expanded infrastructure can give developing countries the ability to engage in the global market. Technology can serve a key role in improving access to education, world markets, and a globally connected society.

According to the “Global Competitiveness 2015” Report, Morocco has ranked 1st place in North Africa in the category of Best Infrastructure. The construction industry growth by investment in infrastructure and energy and the industry is expected to rise of 4.07% over the period (2016-2020) up from 1.26% during (2011-2015). The government launched various transport infrastructure projects under the 2015–2020 and aims to support economic and urban development, improve living standards and ensure social and economic inclusion.

Dar Si Hmad works to promote innovation for sustainable livelihoods. Our award-winning fog-harvesting project uses pioneering technology to provide potable water to over 500 Amazigh villagers. Our Water School promotes girls in STEM fields, educating the next generation of Moroccan female engineers. Our RISE program engages urban youth in environmentally-friendly entrepreneurship and community development.

As we prepare for COP22, we encourage you to join us in promoting innovative work for social and environmental change. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to learn more about how we are doing this, the Sustainable Development Goals, COP22, and our work in community-driven innovation.