Shaping sustainable futures: Multi-stakeholder perspectives on government-business partnerships for achieving the 2030 Agenda in Latin America and the Caribbean

Objective: The objective of this study is to examine government-business partnerships in Latin America and the Caribbean to support the 2030 Agenda, focusing on bypassing negative future scenarios and achieving key milestones. Research Design & Methods: Using a qualitative futures study approach, we gathered data through 28 faceto-face focus groups in seven countries, involving diverse stakeholders. Discussions centred on future scenarios balancing economic growth with climate change resilience and biodiversity conservation. Findings: A critical need for multi-stakeholder collaboration was revealed in fostering business development that supports regenerative economic recovery post-COVID-19 while mitigating climate change impacts. The study extends the Montiel et al. (2021) model, demonstrating its effectiveness across various business types and economies. Implications & Recommendations: By creating a future-positive scenario on how to circumvent detrimental outcomes and support sustainable development goals (SDGs), this study offers fresh insights for societal and economic actors on actionable strategies to close the gap in the SDG compliance. Contribution & Value Added: The research provides a unique set of actionable opportunities in each country, along with a comparative analysis of sustainable development strategies. It also proposes refinements to Montiel et al.’s (2021) externality framework, contributing significant new perspectives to the literature.