Global BPO industry strengthens commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goals
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Business process outsourcing (BPO) companies are increasingly aligning their projects with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), demonstrating a strong commitment to global sustainability and societal challenges.
Projects submitted to Outsource Accelerator’s Outsourcing Impact Review (OIR) 2024 demonstrate strong alignment with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The diverse distribution of SDGs among these projects highlights the industry’s focus areas within its social impact programs and demonstrates a commitment to addressing various global challenges.
Key SDG focus areas
Quality education (SDG 4) emerged as the most prominent focus, with 10 mentions across submissions. This aligns with the industry’s substantial 42.1% investment in education and skills development initiatives.
Decent work and economic growth (SDG 8) received 8 mentions, reflecting the industry’s core mission of providing quality employment opportunities. Reduced inequalities (SDG 10) garnered 6 mentions, highlighting growing efforts to address social and economic disparities.
The review also showed engagement with good health and well-being (SDG 3) and gender equality (SDG 5), each receiving 3 mentions. These initiatives focus on promoting healthy communities and advancing workplace equality.
While environmental concerns remain present, climate action (SDG 13) received only 2 mentions, suggesting room for growth in environmental initiatives. Industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9) received one mention, indicating a potential area for future development.
Technology integration drives social impact
“The outsourcing landscape of 2024 would be constructed with the most advanced and leading technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotic process automation, and cloud computing,” the report stated.
This technological evolution is creating new channels for value creation and social impact.
A landmark year for responsible outsourcing
The OIR 2024 marks a significant evolution in how the BPO industry approaches social responsibility and sustainable development.
This comprehensive assessment reveals a sector increasingly focused on creating meaningful societal change while maintaining business excellence.
Other key findings and metrics
The 2024 review demonstrates remarkable progress in several areas:
- Total volunteer hours increased 73.3% to 82,808 hours in 2024, up from 47,791 hours in 2023
- Financial contributions totaled $821,430, supporting various social initiatives
- Over 718,267 beneficiaries were reached, showing a 1.6% increase from 2023
Future outlook and industry evolution
The sector’s growing alignment with multiple SDGs positions it as a key player in advancing global sustainability while maintaining business excellence.
The industry’s evolution from a purely operational focus to embracing comprehensive social responsibility marks a new era in outsourcing, with opportunities for expanded environmental initiatives and enhanced cross-sector collaborations.
