The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) offer a transformative blueprint to eradicate poverty, hunger, and environmental degradation. Adopted in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, these 17 actionable goals guide organizations worldwide.
The SDGs aren’t simply talking points for well-intentioned organizations, they are part of the the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, The UN SGDs come with actionable targets that are measured by an annual SDG Progress report. ICL, recognizing the alignment between its business model and these goals, has adopted the SDGs as foundational principles to drive sustainability across global operations.
ICL is pioneering advances in AgTech and sustainability, phosphates for food production, biocides for clean water management, and innovations in clean energy technologies. The SDGs serve as a practical foundational framework and as guiding principles for ICL’s sustainability efforts across all business segments.
How ICL is Making the UN SDGs a Reality
Since the decision to align with the UN SDGs, ICL has made rapid progress in integrating the SDGs into its own operations, business practices, and sustainability initiatives. One reason for the relative ease with which ICL is integrating the 17 sustainable development goals is employee education.
The company made the effort to develop awareness, and ICL’s people were generally highly receptive. The adoption of the 17 SDGs was a logical progression for a workforce that is already focused on achieving global food security, sustainability, and circular economies in industrial operations.
ICL’s 2023 Corporate Responsibility ESG Report details the company’s progress within the self-adopted framework of alignment with UN SDG goals and targets. The report makes highly encouraging reading and lists quantifiable results. The broader concepts of environmental management, social responsibility, and governance encapsulate many of the UN goals, and ICL is taking a holistic approach.
Within that broader comprehensive approach, the company has initially focused on 4 key UN SDG goals that are relevant to its core operations.
Strategic Priorities: ICL’s Key SDG Goals
ICL is a global company that operates in several business sectors. Some of its operations – agriculture, industrial products, agtech, and foodtech solutions- are closely connected to UN SDG goals like Zero Hunger, Clean Water and Sanitation, and Climate Action. There’s often a high degree of overlap between goals and fields. For example, controlled-release fertilizers for precision agriculture can improve crop yields and improve water conservation and environmental protection.
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
ICL addresses global hunger through innovative agricultural solutions designed to enhance crop yields and promote sustainable farming practices.
- Fertilizers and Crop Nutrition Solutions: ICL’s specialty fertilizers feed approximately 400 million people daily, ensuring high-quality food production and extended shelf life.
- AgTech Innovations: Platforms like Agmatix leverage AI to provide farmers with data-driven recommendations, improving resource efficiency and productivity.
- Sustainable Practices: Collaborations with ag-biological innovators enhance crop resilience and reduce the environmental impact of farming practices. For example, BOAZ and BIOS biostimulants have proven to increase yields in resource-limited settings, directly supporting food security.
In partnership with Agmatix, ICL has implemented precision agriculture tools that reduce fertilizer use while improving crop yields. This initiative has provided sustainable food sources for over 10 million people in vulnerable regions.
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
ICL recognizes access to clean water as a fundamental human right and integrates water conservation into its operations.
- Water-Saving Technologies: ICL has reduced freshwater usage by 4% annually and implemented advanced water treatment systems in its facilities.
- Employee Access: The company ensures clean water and sanitation for its workforce, even in remote locations, aligning with SDG 6’s vision.
- Biocide Solutions: High-tech biocides developed by ICL offer flexible sanitation solutions for healthcare, agriculture, and industrial applications.
ICL’s water management initiatives, such as closed-loop systems, have reduced water consumption by millions of cubic meters annually, benefiting both the environment and local communities.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
ICL’s circular economy practices exemplify its commitment to minimizing waste and optimizing resource use.
- Phosphate Recycling: The Amsterdam facility converts waste phosphates into high-quality fertilizers, significantly reducing landfill contributions.
- Waste Reduction: Annual reductions of 2% in hazardous waste and 3% in non-hazardous landfill waste underscore ICL’s progress.
- Operational Efficiency: ICL optimizes production processes to conserve raw materials and reduce carbon footprints.
Through its Amsterdam phosphate recycling plant, ICL processes over 100,000 tons of waste annually into reusable materials, exemplifying circular economy principles. Building on its commitment to responsible production, ICL also takes decisive steps toward mitigating climate change.
SDG 13: Climate Action
ICL has set extremely ambitious climate action targets for all its operations. The intermediate goal for greenhouse gas emission reduction is a reduction of 30% by 2030 (taking 2018 as the baseline) and becoming carbon neutral by 2050. Beyond that, ICL’s investments in energy storage and renewable technologies have positioned the company as a leader in sustainable energy solutions, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and advancing global climate action goals.
Speaking of ICL’s SDG-aligned products and initiatives, Raviv Zoller said:
“Our vision to create a positive impact on our world drives us forward, as we aim to make a significant impact by creating solutions that allow safe progress for humanity.”
Tracking Success and Setting Ambitious Goals
Implementing the UN SDG goals and targets at a corporate level represents a twofold challenge. Firstly, ICL has to align its own operations with the goals and integrate them into the daily running of the company and its strategic planning. Secondly, it has to accurately measure and quantify the progress it is already making. The ICL Board of Directors created a Climate, Sustainability, and Community Relations Committee (CSC Committee) specifically to oversee and report on all sustainability-related issues.
Some key SDG-related achievements to date include
- Water Saving: ICL achieved an average annual reduction of 4% in Freshwater usage and an average annual reduction of 2% in Low-quality water usage (2022 as the baseline).
- Renewable Energy Usage: Investments in new technologies, including hybrid grids and hydrogen, to increase the amount of renewable energy consumption to 50% by 2040 (2018 as the baseline).
- Waste Reduction: ICL implemented an average annual reduction of 2% in landfill waste (Haz & Non Haz) and an average annual reduction of 3% in hazardous waste (2022 as the baseline).
Building a Sustainable Future with the UN SDGs
ICL’s alignment with the UN SDGs demonstrates its unwavering commitment to creating a sustainable and equitable future. Crucially, the company is showing how integrating the SDGs makes solid business sense, with well-thought-out circular economies and sustainable models proving profitable.
Making sustainability a prerequisite for future growth has also had a positive effect on employee morale and engagement. ICL attracts top talent, motivated by the knowledge that their efforts contribute to making the world a better, fairer, and safer place.
The journey to achieve the UN SDG goals and targets won’t happen overnight—nor can governments and state organizations achieve them alone. The corporate world plays a crucial role in this mission.
ICL leads by example, embedding the SDGs into its operations and driving change in major markets and dozens of sites worldwide. By creating functional models for others to replicate, ICL spreads the message of sustainability through employee and stakeholder education.
A sustainable and equitable world with Zero Hunger, reduced poverty, and a safer, cleaner environment will be an exciting place to live and do business. ICL is committed to remaining at the forefront of this mission, continuing to bring innovation, leadership, and practical solutions to the table. If you share this vision, join us in advancing the UN SDG agenda and shaping a better future for all.
