Home > All Green Career Guidance > 50+ Sustainable Business Ideas to Support the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals | UN SDG
50+ Sustainable Business Ideas to Support the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals | UN SDG
Updated: May 16, 2025
Looking for ideas for starting a green business? Below are over 50 green business ideas generated by ChatGPT to support the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals.
For a larger list of sustainable business ideas, visit the Google Spreadsheet: The Downloadable Sustainable Business Idea Generator by globalstewards.org! Over 1000 Green Business Ideas Based on 100s of Top Environmental Solutions.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) play a crucial role in restoring the planet and the health of its inhabitants by providing a comprehensive, interconnected roadmap for addressing environmental degradation, social inequality, and economic instability. Many of the 17 goals—such as those focused on clean water, climate action, life on land, and life below water—are directly aimed at protecting and regenerating Earth’s ecosystems. Others, like zero hunger, good health, and sustainable cities, ensure that human well-being is supported alongside environmental restoration. Together, the SDGs recognize that a healthy planet is inseparable from human health, and achieving these goals requires integrated solutions that uplift people while healing the Earth.
SDG 1: No Poverty
This goal aims to end poverty in all its forms everywhere by ensuring equal access to resources, social protection systems, and opportunities that enable people to rise out of poverty and build resilient livelihoods.
Business Ideas:
- Social Enterprise Job Training and Placement Hub: Launch a business that trains people from low-income or marginalized communities in high-demand skills—such as sustainable construction, green agriculture, or clean energy installation—and connects them with fair-wage employment opportunities. The business could partner with local governments, nonprofits, and green companies to align training with real job openings and provide wraparound support like transportation and childcare.
- Microenterprise Incubator for Underserved Communities: Establish a small business incubator that provides microloans, mentorship, workspace, and business development training to entrepreneurs in low-income areas. The incubator could focus on sustainable, locally relevant industries (e.g., eco-friendly textiles, solar-powered mobile charging stations, or upcycled goods) and offer access to cooperative purchasing and marketing channels to boost success rates.
- Affordable Green Housing Cooperative: Create a housing development company that builds and manages affordable, energy-efficient homes for low-income families using sustainable materials and technologies. Residents could participate in cooperative ownership or rental agreements with built-in opportunities to lower costs through community-shared solar energy, rainwater harvesting, and food gardens, reducing financial strain while improving quality of life.
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
This goal seeks to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. It focuses on ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food year-round, especially for the poor and vulnerable, while supporting resilient and sustainable food production systems.
Business Ideas:
- Urban Vertical Farming Enterprise: Launch a vertical farm in urban or peri-urban areas using hydroponics or aquaponics to grow fresh, nutrient-dense produce year-round. These farms could supply low-income communities with affordable food through mobile markets, CSA (community-supported agriculture) subscriptions, or partnerships with food banks and schools. The business could also offer local job training in sustainable agriculture and food tech.
- Food Waste Recovery and Redistribution Service: Start a business that partners with grocery stores, restaurants, farms, and food manufacturers to collect edible surplus food and redistribute it to food-insecure households through a tech-enabled app. The company could also offer low-cost meal kits or ready-to-eat options, reducing food waste while addressing hunger.
- Climate-Smart Farming Co-op for Smallholders: Create a farmer-owned cooperative that helps smallholder farmers increase yields and nutrition through regenerative practices like composting, agroforestry, and drought-resistant crop varieties. The co-op could provide shared equipment, microcredit, organic certification support, and fair-market access to ensure both sustainability and profitability.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
This goal focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. It encompasses reducing maternal and child mortality, combating diseases, improving mental health services, and ensuring access to affordable healthcare and preventive services.
Business Ideas:
- Mobile Health Clinics for Underserved Areas: Launch a fleet of mobile clinics that provide basic healthcare, maternal care, vaccinations, and mental health support to rural and underserved urban populations. The clinics could be staffed by rotating medical professionals and use telemedicine technology to expand reach, while offering sliding-scale pricing or partnerships with public health agencies to make care accessible.
- Preventive Wellness & Nutrition Coaching Platform: Create a digital platform or app that offers personalized wellness plans, nutrition coaching, and health education rooted in preventive care. The business could partner with schools, community centers, and employers to provide services at scale, focusing on chronic disease prevention through diet, exercise, and stress reduction—particularly in communities with high health disparities.
- Eco-Friendly Health Product Line for Low-Income Families: Develop an affordable line of natural, non-toxic personal care and health products (like herbal remedies, biodegradable sanitary products, or child-safe cleaning items) designed to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals. Distribution could be via local cooperatives, women’s self-help groups, or zero-waste community stores, improving household health while supporting sustainable development.
SDG 4: Quality Education
This goal aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. It emphasizes universal access to free primary and secondary education, vocational training, and relevant skills for employment, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.
Business Ideas:
- Low-Cost E-Learning Platform for Underserved Communities: Create an offline-capable, mobile-friendly educational platform offering high-quality lessons, test prep, and vocational training in multiple languages. The platform could be used in rural schools, refugee camps, or low-connectivity areas, and funded through partnerships with governments, NGOs, and corporate social responsibility programs.
- Green Skills Training Centers: Open a network of training centers focused on teaching practical, in-demand green economy skills such as solar panel installation, permaculture design, sustainable construction, or eco-tourism. These centers could cater to youth and adults, providing certifications, job placement assistance, and startup incubator support to launch sustainable livelihoods.
- Eco-Learning Toy Company: Develop a line of educational toys and kits made from sustainable materials that teach children about science, nature, and environmental stewardship. Each product could include interactive learning content and support for teachers or parents, with a portion of proceeds funding education initiatives in low-income communities.
SDG 5: Gender Equality
This goal seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by eliminating discrimination, violence, and harmful practices, and by ensuring equal access to education, leadership, and economic opportunities.
Business Ideas:
- Women-Led Cooperative Businesses: Launch a platform or service that helps women start and manage worker-owned cooperatives in industries like sustainable textiles, eco-agriculture, or renewable energy. The business could provide microloans, mentorship, legal setup assistance, and market access, creating dignified, collaborative work environments where women share profits and decision-making power.
- Tech Training & Employment Hub for Women: Establish a training center or online academy focused on equipping women and girls—especially from underrepresented or rural backgrounds—with digital and technical skills like coding, data analysis, and digital design. Partner with companies to create direct employment pipelines and remote job opportunities that enable economic independence and flexibility.
- Safe & Sustainable Menstrual Health Social Enterprise: Create a social enterprise that manufactures and distributes affordable, reusable menstrual products (e.g., cloth pads, menstrual cups) made from natural materials, alongside education programs on reproductive health and body autonomy. The enterprise could train and employ local women as health educators and sales agents, improving both health and livelihoods.
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
This goal aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. It includes access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, improved hygiene, and the protection and restoration of water-related ecosystems.
Business Ideas:
- Affordable Water Filtration Microfranchise: Create a network of micro-entrepreneurs who sell or rent low-cost, locally maintainable water filtration systems to households and small communities. The business model could include a buy-one-give-one system or installment payment plans to ensure affordability, especially in areas lacking piped water or reliant on contaminated sources.
- Eco-Toilet Installation & Maintenance Service: Launch a business that provides affordable, off-grid composting or biodigester toilets for rural homes, schools, and slums. The service could include installation, regular maintenance, and community education on sanitation and hygiene, helping reduce waterborne diseases and environmental contamination while creating jobs.
- Smart Water Monitoring & Leak Detection Company: Develop a service that installs IoT-enabled sensors for communities, utilities, or large buildings to monitor water usage, detect leaks, and prevent waste. The company could also offer analytics and recommendations for improving water efficiency, helping to conserve water and reduce costs while protecting scarce resources.
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
This goal aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. It promotes expanding renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and increasing access to electricity in underserved regions.
Business Ideas:
- Solar Microgrid Installation and Financing Company: Start a business that designs, installs, and maintains solar-powered mini-grids for off-grid or under-electrified communities. Offer pay-as-you-go or lease-to-own models to make the systems affordable, and partner with local entrepreneurs to operate and maintain the grids, generating local employment.
- Clean Energy Appliance Marketplace: Launch an e-commerce or mobile platform that sells energy-efficient appliances (like solar cookers, lanterns, or refrigerators) targeted toward low-income households and small businesses. Include financing options, usage training, and warranties to help increase adoption and long-term use.
- Green Energy Career Training Program: Establish a training center focused on building the clean energy workforce by teaching practical skills in solar installation, battery maintenance, and energy auditing. The business could partner with governments and solar companies to place graduates directly into jobs, especially in regions transitioning from fossil fuel-based economies.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
This goal promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. It emphasizes job creation, entrepreneurship, labor rights, and environmental sustainability in economic development.
Business Ideas:
- Green Job Incubator for Youth and Women: Launch a business incubator that supports the creation of small, sustainable enterprises—such as organic farms, waste upcycling workshops, or eco-construction teams—led by youth and women. Offer business training, seed funding, workspace, and mentorship to boost long-term employment and inclusive economic growth in underserved communities.
- Remote Work & Freelance Platform for the Global South: Build a platform that connects skilled workers in lower-income countries with remote freelance jobs in fields like translation, graphic design, and virtual assistance. Include training modules, fair wage protections, and digital tools to improve job quality and reduce exploitation, all while reducing the environmental footprint of traditional commuting and office work.
- Circular Economy Marketplace for Local Makers: Create an online and offline marketplace that supports artisans and small manufacturers who use recycled, upcycled, or sustainably sourced materials. The business can offer marketing support, digital storefronts, and workshops on sustainable production methods, creating dignified jobs while advancing responsible consumption and production.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
This goal focuses on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation. It aims to enhance technological capabilities, sustainable industrial growth, and the development of quality infrastructure to support economic and social progress.
Business Ideas:
- Sustainable Manufacturing Solutions Provider: Create a business that offers consulting and technology solutions for industries to transition to more sustainable practices. This could include advising on energy-efficient manufacturing processes, implementing waste reduction technologies, and integrating renewable energy systems into industrial facilities. The company could also provide equipment and software to help companies track their environmental impact and optimize production cycles.
- Green Infrastructure Design Firm: Start a firm that specializes in designing eco-friendly infrastructure, such as green buildings, sustainable transportation systems, and renewable energy-powered public amenities. This firm could partner with governments, developers, and urban planners to create resilient, low-carbon communities while promoting innovation in construction techniques, materials, and urban design.
- Tech-Driven Supply Chain Transparency Platform: Develop a platform that uses blockchain technology to ensure full transparency and traceability in supply chains, allowing consumers and businesses to verify the sustainability of materials and products. The platform could help companies comply with sustainability standards, reduce waste, and identify opportunities for innovation and efficiency improvements across industries.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
This goal aims to reduce inequality within and among countries by promoting social, economic, and political inclusion for all, regardless of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, or other status. It focuses on ensuring equal opportunities and reducing disparities in income, wealth, and access to essential services.
Business Ideas:
- Inclusive Financial Services Platform: Launch a fintech platform that provides accessible financial services, such as microloans, savings accounts, and insurance, to underserved communities, particularly women, minorities, and low-income individuals. The platform could use mobile technology to overcome geographical barriers and offer financial literacy programs to empower users in managing their finances.
- Affordable Housing Development Company: Start a social enterprise focused on the construction of affordable, sustainable housing for marginalized communities using eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient designs. The business could partner with local governments and NGOs to secure land, funding, and resources, providing both safe housing and local employment opportunities during construction.
- Job Training and Placement Service for Vulnerable Populations: Create a business that offers vocational training, resume building, and job placement services tailored to individuals from marginalized backgrounds (e.g., people with disabilities, former prisoners, or refugees). The company could work with employers to create inclusive hiring practices and provide ongoing support to ensure successful integration into the workforce.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
This goal aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. It focuses on reducing the environmental impact of urbanization, enhancing public transport, improving the quality of life, and ensuring affordable housing and basic services for all.
Business Ideas:
- Eco-Friendly Urban Mobility Solutions: Launch a sustainable transportation company offering electric bike or car-sharing services, or a green ride-hailing platform that exclusively uses electric vehicles (EVs). The business could operate in urban areas, promoting eco-friendly commuting options, reducing traffic congestion, and lowering carbon emissions while offering an affordable, flexible alternative to traditional transport.
- Sustainable Urban Farming Initiative: Create a business that helps cities implement vertical farms or rooftop gardens in underutilized urban spaces, such as rooftops or vacant lots. The business could offer installation, maintenance, and educational programs on sustainable food production. It could also sell locally grown produce to restaurants, markets, and consumers, reducing the carbon footprint of urban food systems.
- Green Building Retrofit Company: Start a company that specializes in retrofitting older buildings to meet modern sustainability standards, including energy-efficient insulation, water-saving systems, and solar panel installations. The company could offer affordable packages for residential and commercial properties, helping reduce energy consumption, lower utility costs, and improve indoor air quality for tenants.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
This goal seeks to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, reducing the environmental impact of consumption and encouraging the efficient use of resources. It emphasizes reducing waste, promoting circular economy models, and encouraging businesses and consumers to adopt sustainable practices.
Business Ideas:
- Zero-Waste Packaging Company: Start a business that provides biodegradable, reusable, or compostable packaging solutions for food and retail industries. The company could offer a range of products like reusable containers, packaging made from plant-based materials, and compostable alternatives to plastic packaging, helping businesses reduce their waste and consumers make more eco-conscious choices.
- Upcycled Goods Marketplace: Create an online platform for upcycled, refurbished, and repurposed products, such as furniture, electronics, and clothing. The business could connect consumers with artisans and businesses that specialize in giving new life to discarded items, promoting a circular economy by reducing waste and supporting sustainable, ethical production practices.
- Sustainable Product Subscription Service: Launch a subscription-based service that curates and delivers sustainable, eco-friendly products, like household goods, personal care items, and eco-friendly office supplies. The service would offer a range of products with a focus on durability, sustainability, and minimal environmental impact, helping consumers reduce their dependence on single-use products and making it easier to live sustainably.
SDG 13: Climate Action
This goal aims to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. It focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing climate resilience, promoting sustainable development, and fostering global cooperation to address climate challenges.
Business Ideas:
- Carbon Offset Marketplace: Create a platform that connects individuals and businesses with verified carbon offset projects, such as reforestation, renewable energy, and methane capture initiatives. The platform would allow users to calculate their carbon footprint and purchase offsets to mitigate their environmental impact, promoting climate action while funding sustainable projects.
- Energy Efficiency Consulting Firm: Start a consulting business that helps companies, municipalities, and households reduce their carbon emissions by improving energy efficiency. The business could offer energy audits, retrofit services, and recommendations for incorporating energy-efficient technologies, such as LED lighting, smart thermostats, and energy-efficient appliances, into buildings and operations.
- Climate Resilience Infrastructure Company: Develop a business that specializes in designing and building climate-resilient infrastructure, including flood protection systems, stormwater management solutions, and heat-reducing green infrastructure (e.g., green roofs, urban wetlands). This company could work with governments, urban developers, and communities to reduce the impact of extreme weather events caused by climate change.
SDG 14: Life Below Water
This goal focuses on conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. It aims to prevent and reduce marine pollution, protect marine ecosystems, and conserve marine biodiversity to ensure the health of aquatic environments.
Business Ideas:
- Plastic-Free Ocean Initiative: Launch a business that manufactures and sells sustainable, plastic-free alternatives for the fishing, shipping, and packaging industries. The business could offer products such as biodegradable fishing nets, sustainable packaging materials, and eco-friendly shipping containers. A portion of profits could go towards ocean cleanup initiatives and promoting awareness about reducing marine pollution.
- Marine Eco-Tourism Company: Start a marine eco-tourism business that offers environmentally responsible tours and experiences, such as wildlife watching, snorkeling, and scuba diving, in protected marine areas. The company could collaborate with marine conservation organizations to educate tourists on the importance of preserving marine ecosystems, and part of the revenue could support local conservation projects.
- Sustainable Seafood Certification and Marketplace: Create a business that provides a certification program for sustainable seafood suppliers, helping them adhere to ethical fishing practices and maintain healthy fish stocks. The company could also run an online marketplace that connects consumers with certified sustainable seafood producers, raising awareness about the importance of sustainable fishing practices and reducing the demand for overfished species.
SDG 15: Life on Land
This goal seeks to protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, manage forests sustainably, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss. It emphasizes the need to safeguard the health and productivity of the planet’s land resources.
Business Ideas:
- Sustainable Forest Management Consulting: Start a consulting business that helps landowners, forestry companies, and governments manage forests sustainably. Services could include conducting environmental impact assessments, advising on best practices for tree planting and harvesting, and helping businesses transition to certified sustainable timber production. This would reduce deforestation and promote the conservation of forest ecosystems.
- Native Plant Nursery and Restoration Services: Create a business that grows and sells native plants for use in land restoration projects, urban landscaping, and biodiversity conservation. The business could work with local communities, governments, and environmental NGOs to restore degraded ecosystems and create wildlife corridors using native species, while educating the public about the benefits of native plants.
- Regenerative Agriculture Consultancy: Launch a consultancy that helps farmers adopt regenerative agriculture practices, such as agroforestry, no-till farming, and cover cropping, to improve soil health, increase biodiversity, and reverse land degradation. The business could offer training, farm assessments, and ongoing support to help farmers transition to regenerative systems that promote long-term sustainability and land conservation.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
This goal promotes peaceful, inclusive societies for sustainable development, provides access to justice for all, and builds effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. It focuses on reducing corruption, ensuring the rule of law, and enhancing transparency and accountability in governance.
Business Ideas:
- Transparency and Accountability Technology Platform: Develop a software platform that helps governments, NGOs, and businesses track and report on their activities, ensuring compliance with local laws and international standards for transparency. The platform could use blockchain technology to provide verifiable records, making it easier for institutions to demonstrate accountability and for citizens to access public information.
- Community Conflict Resolution Service: Start a business that offers conflict mediation and resolution services to communities, local governments, and organizations facing disputes. This service could focus on peaceful negotiation, restorative justice practices, and building stronger community ties, helping to address social tensions, promote dialogue, and create more resilient and cooperative communities.
- Inclusive Legal Aid Organization: Launch a legal service business that provides affordable or pro-bono legal advice and representation to marginalized groups, such as refugees, low-income individuals, or people facing discrimination. The business could work to ensure that everyone has access to justice, regardless of their socioeconomic status, and could also offer educational programs on legal rights and advocacy.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
This goal aims to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize global partnerships for sustainable development. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration across governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals to achieve the SDGs. The goal focuses on building strong partnerships, mobilizing resources, and sharing knowledge and technology.
Business Ideas:
- Global Sustainability Network Platform: Create an online platform that connects businesses, NGOs, governments, and academic institutions to collaborate on sustainable development projects. The platform could facilitate knowledge sharing, joint ventures, and resource pooling, helping to drive global partnerships for the SDGs. The business could also offer tools to track progress, evaluate outcomes, and showcase successful partnerships to inspire further cooperation.
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Consulting: Start a consultancy that helps corporations develop and implement CSR strategies aligned with the SDGs. The business could guide companies in creating partnerships with NGOs, governments, and other stakeholders to fund and support sustainable development projects, helping businesses make a positive impact while also enhancing their reputation and profitability.
- Impact Investment Fund: Launch a social impact investment fund that focuses on supporting startups and businesses addressing global challenges, such as clean energy, poverty alleviation, and education. The fund would attract investors looking to generate both financial returns and positive environmental or social impacts, while fostering collaboration between the private sector, philanthropic organizations, and international development agencies.
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