New York, NY September 25, 2023 – Over 200 senior leaders of US businesses, the United Nations Global Compact, local government, civil society, and the UN attended the 2023 SDG Summit USA to raise awareness and promote practical business action and partnerships within the American private sector in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event, which took place during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, was organized by the UN Global Compact Network USA, the American Chapter of the United Nations Global Compact.
SDG Summit USA highlighted opportunities for US businesses to amplify their impact and establish leadership in propelling the SDGs forward.
“Governments provide the framework for progress, but markets drive change. And change cannot happen without the US,” Adam Roy Gordon, Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network USA, said in his welcome remarks. He acknowledged that the world could benefit from the US’s involvement and influence in global progress because “the US has a proven track record of leadership, innovation, technological advancement, and effective action.”
In his Opening Remarks, Paul Polman, Vice-Chair of the UN Global Compact Board of Directors and former CEO of Unilever, said, “Increasingly, we do see that those who embrace the SDGs tend to get rewarded.” He noted that this commitment helps businesses attract talent, reduce costs, enhance relationships with stakeholders, drive innovation, and better position companies for a future everyone aspires to.
At SDG Summit USA, UN Global Compact Network USA also recognized its local SDG Pioneer winners, Cristina Villalón, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Álvarez-Díaz & Villalón, and Raven Adams, Sustainability Manager at Granite Construction. SDG Pioneers are recognized business leaders championing the SDGs and inspiring others to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
UN Global Compact Network USA was honored to have US Ambassador to the United Nations for Management and Reform Christopher Lu present the awards to the winners.
"As we've learned from our collective efforts to address climate change, we need everyone at the table – national governments, local governments, nonprofits, foundations, and especially the private sector. And here in the US, our private sector is one of our greatest comparative advantages in addressing global demands," said Ambassador Lu. "We in the US Mission are fully committed to increasing this private sector engagement and highlighting the great work businesses are doing on the SDGs.”
While progress has been made, 70% of the SDGs are stagnating or regressing in the US. The United Nations Global Compact-Accenture Global Private Sector Stock Take report, which surveyed over 2,800 business leaders from around the world, showed the vast majority (94%) of business leaders still view the SDGs as a unifying global vision. Still, to achieve them, the private sector must focus on the areas where they can have the most impact.
To respond to this call, the UN Global Compact has launched Forward Faster, a new initiative to accelerate private sector action at the pace and scale needed to deliver on 17 SDGs and meet the 2030 Agenda.
Speaking to business leaders earlier that week, Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, said, "Time is running out to create the positive change the world so desperately needs. We must all join forces to create a more prosperous and resilient global community. We must move forward faster."
Ms. Ojiambo offered the closing remarks at SDG Summit USA during a fireside chat with Mr. Gordon and Michael Okoroafor, Chief Sustainability Officer of McCormick & Company and UN Global Compact Network USA Board Member. During her address, Ms. Ojiambo encouraged attendees to establish ambitious targets and expedite their efforts in achieving the SDGs.
The 2023 SDG Summit USA took place at the Accenture office in New York, NY. UN Global Compact Network USA would like to thank its Co-presenting Sponsor, Accenture, and its supporting partners, Geomatica, Plus Media, and Sustain.life for their support.
About Global Compact Network USA
Global Compact Network USA (Network USA) is the US Chapter of the United Nations Global Compact, the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world. Network USA is a powerful network of companies and stakeholders dedicated to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. By connecting partners with the resources of the greater UN, Network USA supports companies that are committed to fully integrating its principles of human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption into their business strategies and operations. To learn more, visit GlobalCompactUSA.org.
WASHINGTON, DC – A new tool released jointly today by the North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) and the United Nations Global Compact Network USA (the U.S. chapter of the United Nations Global Compact) will aid meat companies of all sizes in measuring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – advancing the Meat Institute’s aim for 100% of its members to set science-based GHG reduction targets in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.
The tool was developed through Meat Institute member participation in the UN Global Compact Network USA’s Climate Ambition Accelerator program, a six-month program designed to equip companies with the knowledge and skills to path toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
The tool uses real-life data methodologies and structural details (with data randomized and company details anonymized) to provide a concrete example that takes readers from defining a company’s operational and organizational boundaries through understanding and measuring its direct, indirect, and value chain emissions (scope 1, 2, and 3).
Network USA Executive Director Adam Roy Gordon applauded the new tool and called for further public-private partnership to advance global goals:
“Ambitious business leaders recognize that taking climate action goes hand in hand with building prosperous communities, businesses and economies. Developing and disseminating resources that share technical expertise is key to empowering businesses to fulfill meaningful emissions reductions at scale.”
Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts added:
“Sustaining meat for generations to come requires not only clear vision but also a concrete commitment to developing practical resources, like the GHG inventory tool, that help companies of all sizes implement best practices sector-wide.
"The GHG inventory tool is a major step toward achieving the Meat Institute’s Protein PACT targets, which advance continuous improvement in the sector and sustainability of all kinds - environmental, economic, and social.”
Directly citing GHG Protocol and other relevant international standards, the tool defines key terms, details data collection and science-based calculation methodologies, provides alternative calculation methods, and shares other resources that might be of assistance to companies conducting GHG inventories.
To view the new guidance tool, click here.
The United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, launched Forward Faster today to accelerate private sector action at the pace and scale needed to deliver on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and meet the 2030 Agenda. Forward Faster calls on business leaders everywhere to take measurable, credible and ambitious action in five areas — gender equality, climate action, living wage, water resilience and finance & investment — that have the power to accelerate progress across all SDGs where the private sector can collectively make the biggest, fastest impact by 2030.
The SDG Progress Report released earlier this year by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, showed that just 15 percent of the Sustainable Development Goal targets are on track, progress on 48 percent is weak and insufficient and progress has stalled or gone into reverse on 37 percent of the SDGs.
Speaking about the new initiative, Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact said:
“Now more than ever companies are taking action on sustainability, but there's still not enough progress towards meeting the 2030 Agenda. Companies must be more ambitious and put words into action. Forward Faster is here to guide companies on where they can make the biggest, fastest impact for 2030.”
Companies who sign up to the initiative, will be asked to commit to nine targets — at least one of the selected targets from the five action areas in:
Gender Equality
Climate Action
Living Wage
Water Resilience
Finance & Investment
To learn more about Forward Faster please visit https://forwardfaster.unglobalcompact.org/home.
New report from the United Nations Global Compact and Accenture finds collaborative and credible business action supported by policymakers, in line with the SDGs where they can have the most impact, is needed to achieve the 2030 Agenda.
UNITED NATIONS, New York; Sept. 15, 2023 – The vast majority (94%)of business leaders still view the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a unifying global vision but achieving them requires the private sector to focus on the areas where they can have the most impact, according to new research from the UN Global Compact and Accenture (NYSE: ACN).
Released at the midpoint to 2030,the United Nations Global Compact-Accenture Global Private Sector Stocktake report surveyed over 2,800 business leaders from around the world and shows that the private sector is a critical stakeholder in achieving the SDGs. Currently, only fifteen per cent of the SDG targets are on track, progress on forty-eight per cent is weak and insufficient and progress has stalled or gone into reverse on thirty-seven per cent of the SDGs.
The report presents ten pathways for businesses to take action on the 17 SDGs and have an outsized impact. The ten pathways identified in the report have examples applicable to each of the SDGs and offer a blueprint to help the private sector build a more sustainable market.
"Private sector investment and innovation are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals." said Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director, UN Global Compact. “While not a one-size-fits-all approach, businesses should focus their actions where they can have an outsized impact on people and the planet, and on their businesses. This will enable them to effectively communicate performance, set targets and actions, engage with stakeholders, including investors, and gain access to new market opportunities.”
Forty-four per cent of business leaders surveyed are looking to government to put in place policy incentives to help them integrate the SDGs into business strategy and operations to ensure an even playing field across all businesses. They also want clear guidance on where to concentrate their efforts and clear measurement criteria and calculation methods so that they can not only properly report progress, but also make informed decisions based on these insights.
To help the private sector achieve these pathways they want policymakers to:
Scale up new incentive models to redefine success in terms of risk, return, and impact:
The top ask from business leaders is consistent sustainability reporting and disclosure mandates (76%). This helps ensure all businesses are held to the same standard both nationally and globally.
Expand the benefits of market to achieve responsible business:
The second ask is adjusting the national minimum wage to equal living wage levels (71%) -a change to the cost structure of businesses, but of value and worth pursuing if borne fairly. In addition, the majority support policies that would help promote gender equality, namely mandatory disclosure and action of gender pay gaps (65%), and mandatory minimum company paid shared-parental leave (58%).
Transform the bases of business to achieve environmental sustainability:
Finally, businesses support a range of stronger policies to strengthen environmental protection, primarily ensuring that incentives are aligned for a clean energy transition. Secondary policies are around ensuring mandatory disclosures so that all companies are assessed equally, encouraging equal action across sectors.
In addition to insufficient policy support, leaders pointed to structural limitations as inconsistent sustainability metrics and data skills shortfall in particular as key reasons for preventing greater action towards further SDG headway:
· 84% of business leaders say unclear measurement resources to calculate impact towards the SDGs prohibits their company’s ability to make progress.
· 82% of business leaders say limited access and/or poor quality of data limits their ability to measure contribution to the SDGs.
· 77% of business leaders expressed concern about a skills shortage or mismatch in the workforce to realize SDG-related impact across industries.
“Businesses around the world understand more and more their potential to take meaningful action on sustainable development," said Stephanie Jamison, Global Sustainability Services lead at Accenture. “Advances in technology and data analytics over the past five years means we can now use multiple large data sets to measure private sector impacts on the SDGs far more accurately and consistently than ever before. This in turn allows leaders to manage those impacts sooner and with better outcomes, bringing a clarity that will help fulfil the private sector’s critical role in achieving the SDGs.”
The report is the latest in a long-standing partnership between UN Global Compact and Accenture, which leverages a survey of over 2,800 business leaders globally along with a proprietary analysis of financial and non-financial data to generate insights on SDG impacts at the aggregate private sector level. The variety of the data utilized for private sector insights and sentiment makes this report one of the most current, comprehensive, and evidence-based analyses of the private sector’s contribution to the SDGs.
With global humanitarian needs increasing due to climate change, conflict, and the continuous impact of COVID-19, many speakers at a UN Security Council open debate called for a new model that will leverage the private sector more to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
The debate, held during the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, sought to identify and advance public-private partnership solutions to promote international peace and security by addressing current and future humanitarian needs.
US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield spoke to members of the UN Security Council about increasing collaboration with the private sector. “The public sector must do more to proactively work with the private sector, especially as we look to advance the Sustainable Development Goals. The public sector must harness the expertise of the private sector and translate it into action,” Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield said. “It is past time to invest and scale this relationship. And it is past time for us to welcome the private sector through the front door.”
Jared Cohen, President of Global Affairs at Goldman Sachs, said, “The largest employers in the world are not just Governments — they are also businesses.” He noted that five American companies have more than 500,000 workers. Recognizing that globalization has put the private sector at the geopolitical table, he spotlighted the importance of sustained partnerships and real-time innovation.
Michael Miebach, Chief Executive Officer of Mastercard, said that “the private sector stands ready to tackle the challenges at hand in partnership with the public sector.” He said the UN must be even more direct and deliberate in its outreach so that actors can align on objectives, underscoring the importance of structured public and private partnerships. Detailing how technology has facilitated the provision of life-saving assistance, he affirmed: “You have a willing and committed partner in the private sector. We just need to be engaged.”
The UN Global Compact works with the private sector in taking strategic actions to advance broader societal goals, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with an emphasis on collaboration and innovation.
For more information on how to move forward faster toward progress, click here.
Watch the Advancing public-private humanitarian partnership - Security Council, 9,418th meeting here.
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In a remarkable display of global unity, the world united eight years ago to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to forge a more equitable and sustainable world by 2030. As we reach the midpoint of this journey, a stark reality is apparent: there remains much ground to cover. The challenges posed by climate change, entrenched inequalities, and systemic corruption have hindered progress.
Businesses were crucial stakeholders in shaping the SDGs and remain equally important in propelling them towards realization. The call to use their collective power in advancing the SDGs will be accentuated at this year's UN General Assembly, particularly at the 2023 SDG Summit USA, the UN Global Compact Network USA’s annual flagship event. This Summit will congregate over 200 influential leaders from US companies, government, and the UN. The Summit's mission is to raise awareness and promote practical business action and partnerships within the American private sector to achieve the SDGs.
UN Global Compact Network USA recently spoke with Board Chair Daniella Foster on the goals of the 2023 SDG Summit USA, the critical role the US private sector plays in advancing the SDGs, and how companies can move from commitment to action.
Questions
What are the primary objectives that UN Global Compact Network USA aims to achieve through the 2023 SDG Summit USA?
I saw a headline in Nature that really spoke to me: “There is no Planet B and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals are heading for the rocks.” These “rocks” are plentiful – between a global pandemic, geo-political turmoil, war and many other concurrent perma-crises.
We want to leverage the 2023 SDG Summit USA as an opportunity for the private sector to come together with public stakeholders, including government, UN officials and civil society professionals to figure out how we can work together to overcome these “rocks” to drive big impact over the next 5 years.
Our US Network alone has more than 1,000 signatories taking part, representing $5 trillion in revenue. Let me repeat that - $5 trillion! That’s scale. That’s resources. That’s the opportunity to take the private sectors’ leadership in innovation, technology and resources and leverage it to tackle pressing global challenges and share solutions with the world.
This year’s SDG Summit USA will serve as a platform for candid conversations about the evolution of corporate sustainability in the U.S. – what’s working, what’s not – with a strong focus on partnership. No one entity can solve these big world problems. We need to start working unconventionally – think working pre-competitively or across industries - to achieve the SDGs
How can US businesses leverage their participation with UN Global Compact Network USA to make meaningful progress towards the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals in 2023?
There are many ways businesses can take part. Going back to my “rocks” analogy, we all have them within our organizations, too – those barriers from funding to management commitment that stand in our way of driving our companies to help make progress against the SDGs. UNGC is here to help with those.
And it’s a rockier time than it has even been. One of the unique opportunities within UNGC compared with many other sustainability-focused organizations is that we provide a safe lane for dialogue, bringing people together across different industries, sectors and perspectives, enabling us to chart a path forward together.
One of my favorite programs geared to helping overcome barriers is the Accelerators, which is great for companies that are earlier on in their sustainability journey. This is an in-depth, six-month educational program that’s specifically designed to create behavior change – helping to embed sustainability into business operations and across the value chain.
We also offer so many educational and networking events. It’s important to come together with other company leaders who share a common commitment to responsible and sustainable business practices.
Given your leadership role in corporate sustainability, what strategies can American businesses employ in 2023 to maximize their impact on people and the planet?
First and foremost, one of the most important strategies a company can employ is to embed sustainability into the business. It shouldn’t be a separate strategy. At Bayer, we don’t have a separate business and sustainability strategy – these are one in the same and aligned and championed by our board of management.
That means that our sustainability goals are aligned with our business goals, so it becomes incumbent on everyone to help create the impact we want to have. This ensures the model is sustainable, that we’re not just giving away products or doing cause marketing programs, but that we’re building a business model that drives both societal impact and business success simultaneously. It also helps remove contradictions.
The other advice I’d share is to focus on what’s most material to your business, your value chain and the communities you operate. You have to tackle the issues that your organization can meaningfully contribute to, to be authentic and impactful – for both the world and to drive business growth. For instance, at Bayer, we set three 100 million challenges focused on improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, expanding access to self-care solutions in underserved communities and expanding access to modern contraception in LMICs. These are in service of SDGs 2 (no hunger), 3 (health for all) and 5 (gender equality) respectively, but are all also in line with our business goals.
What hurdles might US businesses encounter in its pursuit of supporting sustainable development and the SDGs?
Greenwashing is certainly a big “rock.” While this issue has never been black and white, it’s become even more complex, with higher stakes over the last year or so.
We’re seeing regulators accelerating actions to better define what is and is not sustainable, to build transparency in financial markets so that investors and other stakeholders can work from a common language and more efficiently make better business decisions.
One concern with some of these policies, is that upping the standards may be seen as a barrier to making progress. Regulators are accelerating the push for more transparency, more and higher quality data, and demonstrated progress against commitments. Given the maturity of corporate sustainability can vary widely, many companies are going to find it difficult to meet these increased regulatory standards.
Companies are responding to these greater demands by investing large sums to revise their strategy, update their data management practices and accelerate their reporting capabilities to be compliant with the regulations and meet the demands of investors and customers. Meeting these short-term stressors with increased investments can, however, cause companies to divert dollars away from achieving the environmental and social goals to which they’ve already committed and that should drive business growth and profitability.
Another way some companies are responding is green hushing – companies are minimizing or stopping communicating goals are progress to avoid litigation risks associated with greenwashing.
Despite these market challenges, it’s good to see that most companies are still moving ahead and executing against their public commitments on things like health equity, decarbonization, and plastic waste, and continuing to communicate transparently about their actions, successes and failings. And because of the magnitude of the challenges, collective action becomes critical. We need to work together to find common solutions.
How can companies leverage 2023 to make up for hindered progress and actively create measures to ensure a productive and impactful course over the next seven years?
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged countries to "Make 2023 count," and this imperative extends to the private sector. Collaboration is going to be key. The UNGC provides a safe lane for us to work across typical lines to act both pragmatically and unconventionally to work together to accelerate our progress.
Daniella Foster is the Executive Board Member & SVP, Public Affairs, Science & Sustainability, Consumer Health of Bayer, and she Chairs the UN Global Compact Network USA Board of Directors.
As the Global Compact Network USA local SDG Pioneer winner of the Small and Medium-Sized Companies Category, Cristina Villalón was recognized for her leadership in establishing company-wide SDG-oriented programs at the Puerto Rican architecture firm, Álvarez-Díaz & Villalón (AD&V). As part of her participation in Network USA’s SDG Ambition Accelerator, Villalón led an initiative to work with MIT on developing a representation of Puerto Rico in the Living Wage Calculator. Additionally, she had worked with an external consultant to appropriately scale her company’s employee wages, ensuring all were earning fair wages. Her initiatives also promote gender equality and active participation in industry efforts to achieve net-zero emissions.
We spoke with Villalon recently to understand her company's sustainability goals and how Network USA's SDG Ambition Accelerator helped AD&V focus its efforts on advancing SDG 8.
As the winner of What does winning the Global Compact Network USA local SDG Pioneer mean to you?
This is the most significant honor of my professional career. My concern for our planet has been constant since I was a teenager when they had us watch the Earth Day Special in school. Since then, these thoughts have always been in the back of my mind: What can I do to improve this? What is my role in this? How can I tackle this enormous challenge? How can my small actions make a significant enough impact? I cared deeply and tried to play my part by recycling and composting. Yet, the challenge always felt too big and overwhelming. And I felt small and insignificant in comparison.
It is only recently that I feel I have finally, after almost a quarter of my life, been able to connect the dots, answer the questions in my head, and channel all my concerns into deliberate, focused action, using our business as a force for good in the world.
Connecting the dots felt like a magnificent gift. To be recognized for finally understanding my role in all of this and working on it is beyond exceptional. It is the icing on the cake! And it gives me even more momentum and energy to move forward and continue making a positive impact.
Which SDGs does Alvarez-Diaz & Villalon focus on, and what are your company goals for each?
At AD&V, we are focused primarily on SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). However, our work significantly impacts SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities), SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 3 (good health and wellbeing), and SDG 4 (quality education).
SDG 8: We have embarked on becoming B-Corp certified. We are in the final stages of the process. A B-Corp is accountable for the most stringent social, environmental, and governance practices. Every day we try to do better and be better. It is ingrained in our DNA. We also aim to be recognized as a “Best Place to Work.” We actively survey our team members to take their pulse and continue to tweak our workplace to be positive and meaningful. We have also committed to finalizing the work we started with MIT to get Puerto Rico on the Living Wage Calculator. Once we have the data, we will set goals against the living wage. We want to exceed the minimums and allow people to thrive, but we must ensure we do this sustainably. An industry challenge is that we are traditionally undervalued, and our professionals should be paid more. We actively speak and educate on this subject, trying to drive systemic changes in our industry.
SDG 5: Most of our team is women, and we actively support and provide flexibility for our team to encourage gender equality. At the top levels, our industry is mainly dominated by men. Women often opt out of the profession when they cannot juggle heavy workloads, low pay, and little flexibility. We are tackling all these issues. We are promoting women, empowering them, and allowing them the flexibility to perform and stay in the profession.
SDGs 11 and 13: We recently joined the AIA 2030 Commitment to ensure all our designs are net-zero. Buildings are one of the largest contributors to global CO2 emissions. We are taking significant climate action if we can design better, smarter buildings. We also design urban plans and communities. We apply sustainability practices to all our designs affecting and supporting sustainable cities and communities.
SDGs 3 and 4: Our goals in this space are tied to all the initiatives we encourage in our workplace to promote better health and work-life balance. We provide education and training for professional and personal advancement, not only in the field but in general topics such as emotional intelligence and leadership and management skills. We are tracking and measuring all our efforts to continue improving.
Can you give us more information on how your participation in the SDG Ambition Accelerator impacted how you approach your company's employee wages?
Our participation in the SDG Ambition Accelerator focused our efforts. We had to choose a benchmark and decided, "100% of our employees earn a living wage." This set us out on a mission to discover what the living wage was in Puerto Rico. We couldn’t find any data, so we contacted MIT to form a collaboration to include Puerto Rico in the living wage calculator. We used our relationships and connections to acquire funding for this initiative and have been collaborating on this process for over a year. Since we couldn't wait for the data, we hired a consultant to help us structure an employee compensation package using US benchmarks and data to ensure our wages were competitive. As a result, we raised all our employees' salaries and provided bonus opportunities based on individual and company performance. The accelerator made us more focused, strategic, and deliberate in measuring our initiatives. We tied the SDG goals to all our endeavors and set up an internal dashboard to track our impact and goals. We made our entire operation, including our goals, more visible to ourselves and our team. This dashboard and quarterly reports keep us moving forward with momentum and ambition.
What advice do you have for SMEs just developing their sustainability programs?
My advice is always the same: Look for the low-hanging fruit. What initiatives are you already doing? How can you magnify those initiatives? Start measuring them! Because what gets measured gets improved. Start where you are and do what you can with what you have. Use your connections and use your gifts. Share what you are doing with others to inspire them to join us in our collective mission.
Do you have any advice for new participants in the UN Global Compact?
The UN Global Compact offers many resources and a wonderful caring community that is ready, willing, and able to help you succeed. Don't be shy! Reach out! Make connections! Join their programs. You will learn so much! And you will find a community of like-minded individuals who want to impact this world positively. This will provide you with hope. And hope is what we need most to propel us into action.
Headquartered in Puerto Rico, a vibrant marketplace within a US territory, AD&V has a unique opportunity to embed and promote the SDGs. Considering this, what advice would you offer to other companies in PR or other US territories who may not yet perceive membership with the UN Global Compact as suitable for their organization?
We are encouraging all companies to join the Global Compact. Doing so will provide them with resources and information to help them on their sustainability journey along with some accountability.
Network USA will celebrate the 2023 USA SDG Pioneers during an awards ceremony at its flagship conference, 2023 SDG Summit USA, during the UN General Assembly on September 20.
As the Global Compact Network USA local SDG Pioneer winner of the Large National and Multi-National Companies category, Raven Adams was recognized for leading the sustainability program at Granite Construction, one of the largest civil infrastructure companies in the United States. Using the SDGs as a framework, Adams spearheaded the development of a comprehensive sustainability program, including GHG emissions reduction targets, a climate governance framework, and a decarbonization plan.
We spoke with Adams recently to understand her company’s sustainability goals and how Network USA’s SDG Ambition Accelerator impacted how the company approached its decarbonization planning.
What does winning the Global Compact Network USA local SDG Pioneers mean to you?
In my mind, it means the priority that Granite’s leadership has put on sustainability is making a difference to our company and industry. What I have accomplished in my role has been enabled by the dedication of teams across the company who work to support our core value of sustainability, and this recognition is also a testament to their efforts. I’m grateful to be working with so many people who have conviction and want to make a positive impact.
Which SDGs does Granite Construction focus on, and what are your company goals for each of them?
At Granite, we recognize our responsibility to contribute to amore sustainable future, and we see sustainability as central to the purpose of our business: to provide infrastructure solutions that support more prosperous and resilient communities. While we support all 17 SDGs, we focus on 10 core SDGs that relate to our operations and areas of influence—namely, where our business has direct impact or can create societal benefits:
SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)
SDG 5 (Gender Equality)
SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure)
SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)
SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)
SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
SDG 13 (Climate Action).
We have aligned our sustainability strategic plan with the SDGs, and many of the SDGs are reflected in multiple focus areas. Some of our priority targets revolve around improving safety performance, increasing there presentation of women and persons of color throughout the organization, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing the use of environmental product declarations that improve the understanding of the impacts of construction materials. The details of that plan are available in our 2022Sustainability Report (p. 14-22). We also seek out strategic sustainability partnerships in the spirit of SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals).
Can you give us more information on how your participation in the SDG Ambition Accelerator impacted the way you approach your company’s decarbonization planning?
The Accelerator enhanced my understanding of how to organize a systems-level approach to complex sustainability issues. This understanding was essential for decarbonization planning, which requires coordinated efforts by disparate parts of an organization.
We leveraged lessons directly from the Accelerator to explore the importance of applying system-level thinking in a workshop with Granite’s Sustainability Council—a multi-functional team of department leaders, experts, and operational representatives. In this workshop, our Council divided into smaller teams (each focused on one SDG Benchmark) to work through the same pathways format used in the Accelerator. The team focused on the climate action benchmark identified new opportunities indifferent parts of our business, and the activities sparked fresh ideas about new metrics to establish within our supply chain.
The Accelerator inspired me to adjust my approach to mobilizing our teams around climate action. We identified key impact pathways within the structure of our business, such as business intelligence (metrics and tracking),climate risk, and implementation of decarbonization measures in operations. By assigning workstream leads to these areas and structuring our discussions and communications around specific pathways, we have increased our momentum.
We are currently working on updating our sustainability strategy and will apply the lessons of the Accelerator to develop a strategy that takes a more comprehensive, systems-level approach to advancing the SDGs. I’m looking forward to being able to share more details about our updated strategy once it is finalized.
Our industry has a critical role to play in building more sustainable cities and communities, and I would urge other construction companies to consider joining the UN Global Compact—not only because of the importance of aligning our efforts for a better future, but because of the opportunity to create business value.
How do you see the infrastructure and construction industry adapting to a world where the environment and climate are rapidly changing?
Our clients, the infrastructure owners, will play a critical role in the industry’s evolution. We are already seeing increased demands for improved practices and tracking. Moving forward, I hope we see an increased willingness from owners to be adaptable in designs and specifications to drive innovation. In an industry like infrastructure, where activities are strictly controlled by specifications, it can be difficult for a company to single-handedly implement innovations. Increased collaboration among stakeholders is key to finding new ways to allow for and incentivize innovation.
The use of recycled material in asphalt provides a good example of the important role clients play in allowing more sustainable practices. Using more recycled asphalt product (RAP) in an asphalt mix reduces embodied carbon in the material. One of our goals is to increase the use of recycled material, but our ability to do so is ultimately controlled by client specifications. Many agencies still limit the allowable percentage of RAP based on historical specifications. Innovations in technology, balanced mix design, and performance testing have improved the performance of these mixes, with the potential for significant environmental benefit if deployed.
New procurement methods and related regulations will also advance sustainability in the industry. As we face increasing challenges from climate change and seek to reduce negative social and environmental impacts from the built environment, utilizing collaborative contracting methods will be key for advancing improvements in sustainable infrastructure. Many organizations still rely on competitive, hard-bid contracting methods, which can limit opportunities to deploy more innovative and sustainable construction materials and infrastructure solutions. Collaborative contracting methods (aka alternative procurement methods) are distinct from traditional methods in that they involve the contractor earlier in the planning process.
Considering sustainability early in the life cycle of a construction project allows for cost-effective implementation of more sustainable and equitable solutions. For the best outcomes, sustainability must be considered in the initial planning process, so that it can be reflected in design and construction.
Do you have any advice for new participants to the UN Global Compact?
Use your participation in the Compact to engage your teams in discussions about sustainability issues. When you create an environment where employees feel empowered to speak up about sustainability opportunities, you will accelerate innovation—after all, your employees have the best knowledge on the greatest potential impact.
The most common advice I see for sustainability professionals continues to hold true for me: don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Strive for continuous improvement, but also take stock of small wins along the way. Recognize your champions and let people know that you value their opinion, because making progress on sustainability requires input from all parts of an organization.
What guidance would you provide to other companies in the construction industry who may not yet recognize the suitability of joining the UN Global Compact for their organization?
Our industry has a critical role to play in building more sustainable cities and communities, and I would urge other construction companies to consider joining the UN Global Compact—not only because of the importance of aligning our efforts for a better future, but because of the opportunity to create business value. Participating in the program provides access to resources that can empower business leaders to better manage risks and create more value through sustainability-related opportunities.
I would also encourage other companies to consider joining the Compact as an opportunity to better align a company’s purpose with positive social impact. This is an imperative for attracting great talent— people are coming to work looking for not just a job, but a way to contribute something positive. Joining the Compact provides a unique opportunity to engage employees with your company mission, and increased engagement is associated with all sorts of positive business outcomes.
Network USA will celebrate the 2023 USA SDG Pioneers during an awards ceremony at its flagship conference, 2023 SDG Summit USA, during the UN General Assembly on September 20.
Businesses have an incredible opportunity to make a difference. They can promote human rights and fair labour practices, help protect the environment and combat corruption. But it doesn't stop there — More and more businesses are realizing the importance of responsible and ethical practices throughout their supply chains.
Recognizing the complexities faced by businesses, the United Nations Global Compact offers practical guidance that goes beyond internal operations, helping companies enhance social sustainability across their supply chains.
Here are six tips to empower your company to make a positive impact within its supply chain and contribute to a more fair, equal and sustainable future:
Ever wondered where your products come from? The UN Global Compact and BSR collaborated on a guide that helps companies and stakeholders understand and improve supply chain traceability. The guide provides insights into tracking a product's journey from raw materials to finished goods. Check it out and uncover the hidden stories behind your products to make informed choices for a more transparent and sustainable future.
Your procurement decisions hold the power to shape fair wages, safe working conditions and workers' rights. With the Decent Work Toolkit for Sustainable Procurement and the Navigating Decent Work Challenges in Multi-Tiered Supply Chains: Leadership Brief, you can integrate these principles into your processes. By leveraging these resources, you'll prioritize decent work practices, positively impacting workers’ well-being and fostering sustainable supply chain operations.
Low wages have far-reaching consequences, impacting workers’ well-being, productivity, responsible business practices and retention rates. The UN Global Compact provides two resources, Improving Wages to Advance Decent Work in Supply Chain toolkit and the Living Wage Analysis Tool. With these platforms, you can take decisive action to provide fair wages, ensuring dignity for all workers, their families and communities.
Protecting workers, minimizing occupational hazards and promoting overall well-being are crucial aspects of sustainable supply chain operations. The UN Global Compact and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have outlined nine business practices to advance decent work and enhance global occupational safety and health (OSH). By implementing these practices, you can build safe and healthy supply chains that prioritize workers’ welfare.
In global supply chains, workers and their families often lack essential benefits like paid parental leave, fair wages, healthcare and affordable childcare. This disproportionately affects women and hampers progress towards gender equality and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Employers can make a difference by implementing family-friendly policies for parents and caregivers throughout their operations, business partnerships and supply chains.
By adding a gender lens to the Sustainable Procurement Toolkit, buyers gain a thorough understanding of incorporating gender considerations into their procurement strategies. The toolkit offers a practical guide to actively promote gender equality and non-discrimination in procurement decisions, emphasizing the benefits of sourcing from women-owned businesses or gender-responsive suppliers. By implementing these measures, businesses foster gender equality and unlock the benefits of a diverse and inclusive supply chain.
Supply chain sustainability is a critical and interconnected issue overlapping human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption. The UN Global Compact recognizes the significance of this cross-cutting issue and supports companies in integrating a culture of responsible and ethical practices that extend throughout their supply chains. This commitment not only contributes to a more sustainable future but also creates a business environment that is socially responsible and aligned with the #GlobalGoals.
Technological innovation is paving the path towards a more sustainable future, revolutionizing industries and empowering us to address pressing global challenges. From clean energy to smart cities, these advancements hold the key to transformative change.
One such groundbreaking technology is Artificial Intelligence (AI), enabling computer systems to perform tasks that traditionally require human intelligence. By embracing AI responsibly and ethically, we can make significant strides towards an inclusive and sustainable future.
Businesses now have an unprecedented opportunity to harness the power of these technological breakthroughs and make progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A new video series developed by PA Consulting and available on the UN Global Compact Academy explores disruptive technologies that are reshaping sustainability across different sectors. Let’s explore three of these game-changing innovations:
While it is crucial to consider ethical aspects and associated risks, certain applications of gene editing — the modification of an organism’s DNA — can potentially help us meet the SDGs. In agriculture, gene editing can improve crop traits, such as nutrition and resistance to pests and diseases. Moreover, gene editing can aid conservation efforts by preserving endangered species and restoring ecosystems. In healthcare, gene editing may help us develop therapies for genetic diseases. This technology offers potential treatment options for conditions that currently lack effective care plans. When exploring the potential applications of gene editing to advance the SDGs, striking a balance between maximizing benefits and safeguarding our shared values is essential.
Low-carbon concrete offers a greener alternative to traditional concrete by employing alternative materials, innovative manufacturing techniques and carbon-capture technologies.
This helps combat climate change by reducing carbon emissions. In addition, its adoption in construction promotes sustainable infrastructure and eco-friendly cities.
“New realities” are emerging technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR). They are revolutionizing education by creating immersive learning experiences, fostering understanding of global challenges. They also provide interactive platforms for inclusive discussions and decision-making on sustainability issues.
Disruptive technologies drive the development of new and innovative products, services and infrastructure, which demand fewer resources and curtail waste production while mitigating environmental impact. They are reshaping industries and propelling us toward a future that prioritizes sustainability. Businesses can make measurable progress towards SDGs by leveraging their potential and embracing responsible practices.
Interested in learning more? Head over to the UN Global Compact Academy to discover a captivating video series exploring the latest disruptive technologies and cutting-edge advancements.
New York, NY July 6 2023 – The Board of Directors of the UN Global Compact Network USA (Network USA), the American chapter of the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, is pleased to announce that Adam Roy Gordon has been appointed as the organization’s next Executive Director.
Network USA was founded in 2007 as the local chapter of the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative that calls on companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with the UN Global Compact Ten Principles and the ambition of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mr. Gordon, who has been acting Interim Executive Director for the past year, was Network USA’s first employee, joining the organization in 2017. Since then, the organization’s network has grown, increasing its programmatic offerings and engagement with US-based companies and organizations. This year Network USA expanded its staff threefold and recently announced it had reached a milestone of over 1,000 signatories, representing more than $5 trillion in revenue.
“On behalf of the UN Global Compact Network USA Board of Directors, I’m thrilled to welcome Adam as Executive Director,” said Daniella Foster, Network USA Board Chair. “With Adam’s leadership and years of service at Network USA, we hold strong confidence in his ability to navigate the organization's growth and drive impactful change.”
"I am deeply honored to assume the role of Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network USA, and I express my sincere gratitude to the Board of Directors for their confidence and this invaluable opportunity," said Mr. Gordon. “Over the years, I have been continuously inspired by our participants' strong commitment and progress-driven efforts. The potential for US private sector leadership in driving sustainability fills me with excitement, and I look forward to partnering with our network, the Board, and our tremendous staff to propel the goals and principles of the UN Global Compact to new heights."
Adam brings an illustrious background in sustainability to his role. Previously, Adam worked at CDP, supporting integrating climate change, water, and deforestation disclosure into corporate performance. He was an EDF Climate Corps Fellow at Colgate-Palmolive Company. He has had diverse experience in sustainability, from advising the Montenegro government on green building policy to founding NYC's first commercial composting waste hauler. Adam also contributes to The Atlantic and is currently an adjunct professor in Columbia University's Sustainability Management program.
About UN Global Compact Network USA
The UN Global Compact Network USA is the Local Network chapter of the United Nations Global Compact. As a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, the United Nations Global Compact calls for companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with the Ten Principles in human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption. Our ambition is to accelerate and scale the collective global impact of business by upholding the Ten Principles and delivering Sustainable Development Goals through accountable companies and ecosystems that enable change.
New York, NY June 30, 2023 — Today, Global Compact Network USA (Network USA) recognized the Global Compact Network USA local SDG Pioneers — business leaders who are championing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and inspiring others to advance the 2030Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Chosen from over 1,000 entities across the US, the Local Network is proud to recognize Cristina Villalón, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Álvarez-Díaz & Villalón, and Raven Adams, Sustainability Manager at Granite Construction, as its Global Compact Network USA local SDG Pioneers.
As the winner of the Small and Medium-Sized Companies Category, Villalón was recognized for her leadership in establishing company-wide SDG-oriented programs at the Puerto Rican architecture firm, Álvarez-Díaz & Villalón. As part of her participation in Network USA’s SDG Ambition Accelerator, Villalón led an initiative to work with MIT on developing a representation of Puerto Rico in the Living Wage Calculator. Additionally, she had worked with an external consultant to appropriately scale her company’s employee wages, ensuring all were earning fair wages. Her initiatives also promote gender equality and active participation in industry efforts to achieve net-zero emissions.
As the winner of the Large National and Multi-National Companies category, Adams was recognized for leading the sustainability program at Granite Construction, one of the largest civil infrastructure companies in the United States. Using the SDGs as a framework, Adams spearheaded the development of a comprehensive sustainability program, including GHG emissions reduction targets, a climate governance framework, and a decarbonization plan.
“We are pleased to honor Cristina Villalón and Raven Adams as the 2023 USA SDG Pioneers,” said Adam Roy Gordon, Network USA Executive Director.“ Their achievements in embedding the SDGs in their day-to-day work inspire us all to reimagine the potential of business in creating enduring positive change within their environments.”
Network USA will celebrate the 2023 USA SDG Pioneers during an awards ceremony at its flagship conference, SDG Summit USA, during the UN General Assembly on September 20.
As the winner of the Local Round, Villalón and Adams will now compete in the Global Round along with other candidates for the title of 2023 UN Global Compact SDG Pioneers. The global winners will be announced this September 2023 during the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit.
“SDG Pioneers recognizes the critical role young business leaders play in developing and driving innovative solutions through new technologies, initiatives, and business models to enable us to reach the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. We hope their work will inspire others to advance the Global Goals through the implementation of our Ten Principles on human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption," said Sanda Ojiambo, CEO & Executive Director of the UN Global Compact.
Network USA thanks its esteemed External Review Committee for their invaluable assistance in selecting the deserving winners for the 2023 USA SDG Pioneers program. Committee members include Ann Tracy, Chief Sustainability Officer, Colgate-Palmolive Company; Jennifer Leitsch, Managing Director, Climate Change and Sustainability Services, EY; Lisa Kurbiel, Head of UN Joint SDG Fund Secretariat, United Nations; Lori Llewellyn, Managing Director, North America, CDP; Sanjeev Khagram, Director General and Dean, Thunderbird School of Global Management, ASU; and Thomas Debass, Deputy Special Representative for Global Partnerships, US Department of State.
About UN Global Compact Network USA
The UN Global Compact Network USA is the Local Network chapter of the United Nations Global Compact. As a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, the United Nations Global Compact calls for companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with the Ten Principles inhuman rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption. Our ambition is to accelerate and scale the collective global impact of business by upholding the Ten Principles and delivering Sustainable Development Goals through accountable companies and ecosystems that enable change.
Access to the Communication on Progress (CoP) platform is on pause to troubleshoot and address the technical challenges that users have experienced. If you have experienced these issues, we apologize and understand that this impacts your reporting plans and internal timeline. We are working hard to rectify the situation as soon as possible to ensure our participants have a good experience on the platform.
For this reason, the July 15 deadline for CoP submission no longer applies. When a new deadline is determined, we will announce it and allow significant time for participants to complete their 2023 CoP. The CoP submission deadline will not be before October of this year.
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Juneteenth serves as a reminder to companies to foster an environment where everyone can thrive, regardless of race or background.
In this second-part of our Juneteenth commemoration, Network USA spoke with Senior Vice President and Chief Social Impact Officer at Cisco, Brian Tippens, to learn how his company is prioritizing social justice and equality by weaving them into many aspects of Cisco's business strategies and operations.
Brian joined the UNGC Network USA Board of Directors in February 2023 and works alongside other members of the Board in overseeing Network USA's strategy and growth.
Q&A:
Juneteenth is a real opportunity to amplify understanding of the unique experience of Black Americans and serve as a catalyst for conversations about intersectionality. How do you recommend companies approach this holiday to make it a DEI-enhancing experience?
I believe that companies who want Juneteenth to amplify understanding and catalyze new conversations should ask themselves where they are – right now – within their DEI journey.
Does our culture welcome and embrace open dialogue as an accelerant to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Do we have systems to support leaders at all levels in seeking a better understanding of differences? Are we actively working to create proximity between people through honest, courageous conversations? Are we open enough to fully see the realities that have shaped the lived experiences of African Americans? Are we brave enough to take bold action to eradicate the obstacles still in the way?
In 2020, Cisco made Juneteenth a paid holiday as one of our initial steps in transforming our longstanding advocacy for social justice into a global, enterprise-wide commitment to bolder action and greater impact.
Our new commitment was the direct result of our willingness to engage in a new level of dialogue in the summer of 2020 in the face of growing awareness of systemic racial injustice, oppression, and inequality. We also wanted to send a message to the world that corporations can be a driving force for societal change.
I think that any organization – wherever they are in their DEI journey – can leverage the legacy and the lessons of Juneteenth to deepen the dialogue and gain proximity to the issues that face us today.
How does Cisco foster a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace?
At Cisco, Inclusion isn't just something we do—it's part of who we are. Fulfilling our purpose to Power an Inclusive Future for All means reimagining how we come together and respect each other's identities and the roles we play inside and outside of work. It means tearing down barriers to equity, collaboration, and connection—both in the many places we work and in the wider world.
We continue to explore how we apply technology and data to solve our most critical challenges. We're accelerating how we attract, develop, and promote diverse talent; taking bold action on social justice; supporting our global employee resource groups, known as Cisco Global Inclusive Communities; and expanding our impact across our ecosystem of partners, suppliers, and customers.
There is still a racial disparity in corporate America. Currently, only 5.9% of all chief executives in the country are Black, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. What advice can you give businesses trying to close that gap and promote more Black employees to leadership positions?
Cisco continues to accelerate the diversity of our global workforce, creating the most diverse Cisco ever across all the categories we measure (gender, race, and ethnicity)—for the eighth year running.
We attribute these shifts to our holistic strategies for expanding, hiring, developing, and promoting emerging leaders. In 2020, we included a focus on increasing the representation of African American/Black employees with our 12 Actions for Social Justice.
At the director and executive levels, our talent acquisition strategy gives us a competitive advantage in attracting top, diverse talent. We look at areas of emerging business growth and approach recruiting differently by identifying what innovative leadership looks like from a talent perspective. We are creating a recruiting culture that recognizes strong talent and expertise, and we engage talent proactively.
To increase full spectrum diversity in our hiring framework and on our Board of Directors, we cultivate talent pools, expand our executive prospect community, and generate diverse, active talent benches. Specifically, we have focused our efforts on:
- Leveraging diverse candidate slates and developing a pipeline of diverse talent to increase all facets of diversity throughout the hiring and promotion process
- Cultivating a company culture of sponsorship across dimensions of difference
- Increasing opportunities for Cisco executives and senior leaders to get proximate to diverse talent
- Providing developmental offerings that support the growth of women and underrepresented minority executives
Our efforts are working. We continue to exceed our African American/Black (AA/B) hiring aspirations year over year. Our goal when we set out in 2020 was to increase AA/B talent by 25% by fiscal year 2023. I am proud to say that we have increased AA/B talent at Cisco 70% in non-executive roles, 96% in director-level positions, and 182% among vice presidents and above. We also welcomed John D. Harris II and Marianna Tessel to our Board of Directors.
What advice do you have for senior leadership on moving public commitments on racial justice to action?
Moving commitments into action is what senior leaders do. Our commitment to racial justice should be an integral part of the business. That's what's good for businesses and the world.
Social Justice is woven into the fabric of many aspects of Cisco's business. Our strategies are built on our core belief that our social justice actions will drive business value – and that's what makes them so powerful. Many companies have ESG goals, but few push to embed those goals within the business. Cisco has a Social Justice Action Office equal in size to many of our key business functions to lead the strategy and execution of our Social Justice Actions. Our Action Office brings together people and expertise across every function and region to drive consistent execution, rigor, and accountability.
Our approach operationalizes our purpose – and it's becoming a key differentiator for our business. A talent magnet. And a reason to stay and grow with Cisco. Analysts are clamoring to learn more – and they're factoring it into their predictions of future value.
Information on the breakdown of the financial commitments and the timeline of companies' business commitments to fight racial injustice are limited. How can companies track progress to ensure their efforts have a lasting impact?
As with any commitment that is integral to the business – tracking and communicating progress and impact starts with clear goals, objectives, and key performance indicators.
At Cisco, we track over 90 key performance indicators across our 12 Social Justice Actions. Each of our action teams is sponsored and championed by a member of Cisco's executive leadership team. Our action teams report on our progress against KPIs regularly to their executive sponsors and across the executive leadership team. We also communicate our progress externally within our annual Purpose report and on our Social Justice web pages.
Understanding and communicating the impact of our 12 Social Justice Actions is evolving and expanding now that we are approaching the midway point of our five-year journey. The scale and scope of our actions are driving exponential impact – across our company, our ecosystem of partners and suppliers, and our communities. We share stories about impact within our Purpose Report, our ESG hub, our web pages, and through numerous Cisco blogs, articles, and presentations by leaders across Cisco.
Lastly, what does Juneteenth mean to you personally?
For me, Juneteenth represents a celebration of hope and the promise of a bright future.
In reflecting on the significance of the Juneteenth holiday in the United States, I am reminded of the time I was honored to hold one of the last few remaining copies of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Abraham Lincoln while visiting the Union League House in Philadelphia.
In 1864 President Lincoln traveled to Philadelphia and hand-signed 40 copies of the Proclamation as part of a fund-raising effort. The copies were sold for $20 each, a hefty sum in 1864, to raise money for the Sanitary Commission - an organization that helped provide support services for soldiers returning from the Civil War. A small number of the signed copies are known to have survived.
Holding the document that Lincoln referred to as "…the great event of the 19th century" was a moving, transformative experience for me.
As Dr. Martin Luther King described during his 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech, "...this momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope for millions of negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.
Brian's career spans over 25 years of leadership in the IT industry. Brian is a purpose-driven leader who is committed to social justice and broad advocacy on the most pressing issues facing communities. At Cisco, Brian oversees the leadership of its future inclusive work, including social justice, advocacy, accessibility, and community impact to advance Cisco's purpose to Power an Inclusive Future for All.
Juneteenth holds significant historical and cultural importance in the United States. While the Emancipation Proclamation declared the freedom of enslaved individuals, it took over two and a half years for the last enslaved Black Americans in Texas to be freed on June 19, 1865.
Juneteenth highlights the importance of translating policy into action and emphasizes the need for sustained efforts to achieve genuine emancipation and equality.
Recognizing Juneteenth as an American holiday is crucial in acknowledging Black Americans' unique experiences and struggles throughout history. It provides an opportunity for reflection, education, and dialogue about the legacy of slavery, systemic racism, and the ongoing fight for justice. By amplifying understanding and promoting conversations about intersectionality, Juneteenth can catalyze fostering real and long-lasting cultural change.
In this context, Network USA's commitment to assisting companies in translating aspirational commitments into measurable actions aligns with the spirit of Juneteenth. It emphasizes the importance of making bold policies and taking concrete steps toward implementing them. Juneteenth encourages individuals, organizations, and societies to move beyond rhetoric and actively work towards dismantling systemic barriers and advancing equality for all.
We invite you to access this online session on Human Rights and Racial Justice for more discussions on advancing racial equality in the US. The session took place during the 2021 UNGC Leaders Summit.
We also share a conversation we had with Network USA Board Member and Senior Vice President and Chief Social Impact Officer at Cisco, Brian Tippens. Drawing examples from his work at Cisco, Brian discusses how companies can utilize Juneteenth to drive positive change, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive, regardless of race or background.
UN Global Compact Network USA (Network USA) organized a series of activities to facilitate discussions and promote cooperation between business leaders and government officials in Washington, DC. The objective was to highlight the profound impact the world's largest private sector sustainability initiative can have in shaping a better future for all.
Here is a summary of the events that took place.
Economist Impact Sustainability Week
At the Sustainability Week conference in Washington, DC, Network USA staff met with businesses working towards building a better, more sustainable, adaptable, and resilient world.
During a panel session organized by Network USA, Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations Global Compact, Network USA Board Member Gayle Schueller, Chief Sustainability Officer at 3M, and Michelle Patron, Senior Director, Sustainability Policy at Microsoft, spoke about how companies and governments can work together to help achieve the SDGs by 2030.
Convening Business Leaders
Against the backdrop of the White House, Network USA hosted a Business Leadership Reception at the Baker McKenzie, LLP office in Washington, DC. This event was a unique opportunity to connect with leaders of the United Nations Global Compact, Network USA, and professionals from all industries who overlap with sustainability themes or topics in the U.S. and worldwide.
Assistant Secretary-General Ojiambo and Network USA Interim Executive Director, Adam Roy Gordon, provided welcoming remarks. Each stressed the importance of companies consolidating around shared values and the criticality of business leaders integrating the SDGs into their organizations as the key to building a prosperous and resilient world. By doing so, businesses can contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future while creating long-term value for their organizations.
Network USA Board Chair Daniella Foster, SVP & Global Head, Public Affairs, Science & Sustainability, Consumer Health at Bayer, also provided remarks, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the SDGs and highlighting the role of businesses in providing solutions. She stressed that collective action and industry collaboration are crucial to accelerating SDG progress. Fellow Network USA Board of Directors Gayle Schueller of 3M, David Hackett of Baker & McKenzie LLP, Paul Francisco of State Street Corporation, and Guly Sabahi of NDC Partnership were also in attendance.
Thank you to Baker McKenzie for providing the space and to Jackson Family Wines for their sponsorship. For reception photos, visit our flickr page.
Meeting with McCormick & Company Leadership and Maryland Governor Wes Moore
Assistant Secretary-General Ojiambo and Network USA colleagues visited McCormick & Company in Maryland to learn about the company’s sustainability initiatives. Joined by Network USA Board Member and McCormick & Company Chief Sustainability Officer Michael Okoroafor and Maryland State Governor Wes Moore, the organizations witnessed the transformative power that arises when businesses and governments unite with shared ambitions. Through their conversation, the UN Global Compact, McCormick & Company leaders, and Governor Moore noted how sustainability can actualize prosperity, with Governor Moore noting that there is a “false choice…between businesses that are competitive and businesses that are sustainable. You can have both – and we must have both.”
Afterwards, Assistant Secretary-General Ojiambo addressed McCormick & Company employees and underlined the importance of achieving the SDGs in the next seven years.
Collaborating with U.S. Officials
Collaboration between businesses and governments can ensure a more substantial impact in achieving the common good.
Network USA accompanied Assistant Secretary-General Ojiambo to a meeting with Dorothy McAuliffe, US Special Representative for Global Partnerships for the US Department of State, where the conversation focused on collaborations for sustainable, inclusive business and shared prosperity.
The group also met with Arun Venkataraman, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service at the International Trade Administration. The discussion highlighted the transformative power of a robust private sector in derisking economies, attracting investment, creating jobs, and fostering prosperous communities.
By actively introducing our business partners to the UN, US Government, and their extensive resources, we empower them on their sustainability journey, and together, we are driving positive change. Network USA looks forward to working with its signatories and the US government in reaching the goals and the principles of the United Nations Global Compact in the US.
For more on our Washington, DC, mission, visit our LinkedIn page.
The UN Global Compact today released new guidance on a Just Transition and Renewable Energy, (“the brief”) with recommendations for businesses and governments on how to accelerate from an energy system driven by fossil fuels to one based on renewable energy. The brief calls on businesses to embrace the urgency of a just energy transition, set ambitious targets, develop just transition plans and publicly report on progress. A just transition means greening the economy in a way that is as fair and inclusive as possible to everyone concerned, creating decent work opportunities and leaving no one behind.
Businesses are asked to become vocal advocates for the just transition and call upon governments and social partners to develop holistic policies and undertake just transition planning to create an enabling environment for companies to advance ambitious and effective just transition initiatives.
The growing impacts of climate change make this transition increasingly urgent. Companies are critical actors in driving both the supply and demand for renewable energy and are key to developing innovative approaches that ensure the most efficient use of energy resources and improving energy access. The brief focuses on the role of renewable energy companies in facilitating a just transition, as well as “off takers” — large energy-consuming companies — seeking energy that is sustainably produced.
Commenting on the release of the guidance, Sanda Ojiambo, Executive Director and CEO of the United Nations Global Compact said:
"We require a systemic change to achieve rapid and deep emissions reductions. The UN Secretary-General has called on business leaders to transform business models and dramatically scale-up investments in renewable energy. This brief outlines actions to accelerate the pace of a just renewable energy transition that can drive sustainable economic and energy sector diversification."
Business action for a just transition begins from a foundation of responsible business conduct and respect for rights, supported by the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact and other key instruments. The International Labour Organization Guidelines for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all put social dialogue at the heart of the just transition process.
Governments and regulatory authorities have a central role in creating the policies needed for the transition and ensuring that just transition measures, for example, are integrated in public procurement practices and renewable energy project development. There is no one-size-fits-all just transition policy framework that works for every country — some Governments have developed comprehensive strategies, while others have adopted policies to address specific aspects of the transition. Countries are adopting national just transition commissions, task forces, dialogues and/or related policies and law.
This brief provides an advocacy agenda for business to influence government policies responsibly; showcases company best practice examples and success factors; and outlines 10 recommendations for businesses to advance the just transition within and beyond their companies, in support of the goals of the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda.
Notes to Editors
Think Lab on Just Transition
The Think Lab on Just Transition aims to shape and define business and thought leadership on critical areas linked to just transition; address key business challenges; identify policy advocacy opportunities and good business practices; and scale-up learnings through the network of the UN Global Compact. If you’ve missed the previous publications in this series on just transition, we invite you to download the Introduction to Just Transition, Just Transition for Climate Adaptation and Financing a Just Transition business briefs today. For more information, visit the Think Lab on Just Transition website.
About the UN Global Compact
As a special initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General, the UN Global Compact is a call to companies worldwide to align their operations and strategies with Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Our ambition is to accelerate and scale the global collective impact of business by upholding the Ten Principles and delivering the Sustainable Development Goals through accountable companies and ecosystems that enable change. With more than 18,000 companies and 3,800 non-business signatories based in over 160 countries, and 62 Local Networks, the UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative — one Global Compact uniting business for a better world. For more information, visit our website at unglobalcompact.org.
In today's globalized economy, workers' rights are an increasingly pressing issue as companies, and their supply chains stretch across borders. Unfortunately, workplace exploitation, discrimination, and abuse continue to afflict many workers worldwide, prompting calls for greater corporate accountability and action.
As a responsible business, prioritizing workers' rights is essential. Investing in education and training programs that promote fair and ethical treatment of employees is one way to achieve this goal.
The UN Global Compact Academy offers six courses to help your company take concrete steps toward creating a more just and equitable workplace:
Whether you're beginning or looking to enhance your company’s existing initiatives, these courses provide a solid foundation for promoting workers’ rights and building a better future for your company and employees.
The UN Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, today launched a new Living Wage Analysis Tool (“the Tool”) to help companies identify actions and further opportunities to provide a living wage to ensure all workers, families, and communities can live in dignity.
Through showcasing good practices for ensuring a living wage in business operations and supply chain methods and leveraging resources for continuous improvement, the Tool can help businesses advance the living wage economy by making concrete commitments to assume their responsibilities and deploy their influence within value chains.
Working poverty caused by low wages is a global issue prevalent in many industries. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), almost one in five workers worldwide did not earn enough to lift themselves and their families out of extreme or moderate poverty in 2019. Economic inequalities often cause low wages, threatening poverty reduction and hindering the fight against gender discrimination.
Commenting on the release of the new tool, Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, said:
“As the private sector employs two-thirds of the world’s wage-earning population, it has the ability to contribute significantly to global poverty reduction and inequality through the provision of living wages as an essential aspect of decent work. Using the Living Wage Analysis Tool to ensure a living wage for all workers benefits core operations, value chains ,and the wider operating environment, enabling businesses to meet their human rights commitments better. While ensuring payment of living wages is often seen as a cost, it can offer many benefits to businesses and should be seen as an investment.”
The push for a living wage is in response to the fact that legally-set minimum wages often fail to meet workers’ needs. By going beyond legal compliance, businesses can ensure that all their employees have the income to support their needs and those of their dependents, raising standards of health and well-being.
A living wage is an essential component of decent work, and a cornerstone of development, contributing directly to several of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Goal1: No Poverty and Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, as well as Goal 5: Gender Equality and Goal10: Reduced Inequalities.
The Tool was developed through the UN Global Compact Think Lab on Living Wage with companies and organizations leading on the topic and questions based on real-life company practice, international standards, and indicators.
As the world crosses the halfway point for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, the UN Global Compact is challenging businesses to raise their ambition levels by taking tangible, accountable actions with the private sector well positioned to advance action on the living wage to meet the 2030 Agenda.
UN Global Compact Network USA(Network USA) welcomes four new members to its Board of Directors. They will work alongside current members of the Board in overseeing Network USA’s strategy in upholding the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in the US market.
“I would like to extend my sincerest welcome to the new members of the Board,” said Daniella Foster, Network USA Board Chair. “Their expertise and strategic guidance will help propel Network’s USA growth and strengthen its representation in the US market. I look forward to working with them in the years ahead.”
The new Board of Directors, comprising of equal numbers of women and men, is joined by:
Paul Francisco, SVP & Chief Diversity Officer, State Street Corporation
Paul is State Street Corporation's Chief Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Officer. In this role, Paul leads the global implementation of State Street’s inclusion, diversity, and equity strategies. He also oversees State Street’s Affirmative Action program.
Gavin Power, Chief of Sustainable Development and International Affairs, PIMCO
Mr. Power is an executive vice president and chief of sustainable development and international affairs. Prior to joining PIMCO in 2018, he was the deputy executive director of the United Nations Global Compact. There he advised UN secretaries-general and oversaw sustainability initiatives in both developed and emerging markets.
Kristen Siemen, Chief Sustainability Officer and VP of Sustainable Workplaces, GM
Kristen Siemen was appointed vice president of Sustainable Workplaces and Chief Sustainability Officer of General Motors (GM) in February 2021. She will help lead GM to a future with zero emissions as the company continues to take bold actions against climate change, including GM’s commitment to become carbon neutral in its products and operations by 2040.
Guly Sabahi, Senior Advisor, Climate Finance, NDC Partnership
Guly Sabahi is Senior Advisor on Climate Finance at the NDC Partnership, a coalition co-hosted by the World Resources Institute (WRI)and UN Climate Change (UNFCCC). Guly provides strategic advice and thought leadership on the NDC Partnership's climate finance efforts and engagement with its 200+ member countries and institutions, as well as with the private sector.
The full list of Network USA Board of Directors can be found here.
NEW YORK, NY May 2, 2023- The UN Global Compact Network USA (Network USA), the American chapter of the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, is pleased to announce that it now has 1,000 signatories in its network. This milestone reflects the private sector’s commitment to advancing sustainable and responsible business practices in the US and the potential for American companies to drive progress.
Network USA was founded in 2007 as the local chapter of the United Nations Global Compact, a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General that calls on companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with the UN Global Compact Ten Principles and the ambition of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the years since, Network USA has grown rapidly and scaled its work in the US market. Its participants now represent more than $5 trillion in revenue.
To help advance its mission, Network USA tapped David Fiss as Head of Engagement and promoted Claudia Herbert Colfer to Head of Programming. Colfer joined Network USA in 2020 and has been instrumental in helping the organization grow and enhance its programmatic offerings.
Fiss brings more than ten years of experience in corporate relations and sustainability. Previously, he served as Director of Corporate Relations, Partnerships & Strategy at Sustainable Brands. While there, Fiss worked with the board, membership and key brands to drive engagement and business transformation. In his new role, Fiss will design and manage Network USA’s engagement strategies with US companies and organizations.
“I’m looking forward to working with the private sector in aligning itself with the mission and principles of the United Nations,” said Fiss. "There are tremendous opportunities for US companies to lead in developing solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges. I'm eager to support their sustainability journey through the multi-stakeholder engagement and programmatic offerings that exist within the UN Global Compact."
Network USA supports its signatories with the tools, programs, and collaborative space to enable change. Its Accelerator Programs and Peer Learning Groups are specially designed to help companies further their corporate sustainability leadership.
To support this work, Network USA also hired the following specialists: Jessica Tuquero, Communications Manager; Christine Cavallo, Engagement Coordinator; Mallory Cannon, Climate & Environment Associate; and Jessica Feoli, SDGs & Events Associate.
“This is an exciting time to join Network USA,” said Adam Roy Gordon, Interim Executive Director of Network USA. “Our staff, signatories and partners are energized behind our shared mission of mobilizing a global movement of responsible companies to create the world we want. There is no better community to build a practical and ambitious frame work for a sustainable world, and there is no better time to do it than now.”
“Since joining the UN Global Compact in 2020, I have seen Network USA impressively increase participation by over 35 percent, which is a testament to the organization’s ability to engage with all industries and sectors of the economy,” said Sanda Ojiambo, Executive Director and CEO of the UN Global Compact. “Strong participation from US companies is crucial in accomplishing the ambitious goals set forth by the UN and aligning on our collective efforts of uniting businesses for a better world.”
Earth will likely cross a critical global warming threshold within the next decade. Failing to address climate change could lead to the United States facing economic damages equivalent to 1-3% of GDP per year by2100.
“To reverse our course, a fundamental change of financing and investment is needed to place sustainability at the core of the global economic and financial system,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “Private sector leadership will be more important than ever.”
Undoubtedly, the American private sector—the largest in the world—will be critical to the transition to a net-zero, resilient future.
April 22 is International Mother Earth Day. As the world celebrates our incredible planet, UN Global Compact Network USA participants can boost their sustainability efforts by taking action in the following ways:
1. Apply to take part in the Climate Ambition Accelerator, a six-month program designed to help companies accelerate progress towards setting science-based emissions reduction targets aligned with the 1.5°C pathway. Interested participants must act soon; the deadline to apply is April 30.
2. Register for “What the COP15 Global Biodiversity Framework Means for Your Company,” a webinar on May 18 from 1:00–2:00 pm ET. You will hear from industry thought leaders Laura Donnelly, Global Lead, Nature at Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), and Janelle Meyers, Chief Sustainability Officer at Kellogg Company.
3. Take part in the CEO Water Mandate – a commitment from business leaders worldwide to address global water challenges.
4. Join 50+ leading companies in the “Open Call for Water Action,” a unified commitment by the corporate sector to Water Action.
5. Make progress by completing the UNGC Academy training on environmental and climate-related courses.
6. Access our past webinars and online events, such as “Exploring the Role of American Business in the Future of Water” and “The Business Case for Water Resilience," to hear from experts in the field.
It will take a coordinated effort to mitigate the effects of climate change and other environmental risks, with American businesses playing a crucial role in developing a more sustainable future.
For more information, contact mallory@globalcompactusa.org.
The UN Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, is looking to recognize a new class of Global SDG Pioneers, with applications opening on April 3, 2023. The annual SDG Pioneers program honors company professionals using business to advance and advocate for the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Global Compact Network USA welcomes the leadership of companies participating in the UN Global Compact to nominate their employees to the program.
The program allows companies to highlight how their employees advance the SDGs and is indeed next-generation leaders. It also provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for professionals to push their vision forward within their organizations and create change. In addition, SDG Pioneers will receive visibility and be recognized for the great work that they have done to advance the SDGs.
Network USA will award two SDG Pioneers this year. One to represent small & medium-sized enterprises (<250 employees), and one to represent large national & multi-national companies. Please note that companies must have submitted at least 1 CoP and be a signatory since October 1, 2022, to be eligible for this opportunity. Network USA will award the two 2023 Global Compact Network USA SDG Pioneers at the local level, announced on June 30, 2023. The selected individuals will then be able to participate in the final search of global SDG Pioneers to be recognized during the 2023 UN General Assembly in September in New York.
Commenting on the launch of the global search, Sanda Ojiambo, CEO & Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, said:
“The SDG Pioneers program recognizes the dedicated professionals that drive and innovate solutions through new technologies, initiatives, and business models that can enable us to reach the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. We hope their work will inspire others to advance the Global Goals by implementing our Ten Principles on human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.” said Sanda Ojiambo, CEO & Executive Director of the UN Global Compact.”
Employees of companies participating in the UN Global Compact are welcome to submit their own application on contributions towards sustainable development or nominate a colleague inviting them to submit an application here for consideration in the program before May 3, 2023, at 11:59 PM ET.
About the SDG Pioneers Program
As part of the UN Global Compact’s Making Global Goals Local Business campaign, each year, the UN Global Compact recognizes a class of SDG Pioneers — business leaders working at any level of their company who are using business as a force for good to advance the 17 SDGs. Through their own company or by mobilizing other businesses, they are helping to reach one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while also contributing to business success. In 2023 Local Networks, including those spanning all continents, will be hosting a country-level SDG Pioneers campaign to identify business leaders who will then be contenders for the global round to be recognized at the UN General Assembly in September 2023.
The Water Resilience Coalition (WRC), a CEO-led initiative committed to reducing global water stress by 2050, product of the partnership between the UN Global Compact and the Pacific Institute, recently launched the WRC Investment Portfolio and unveiled an initial supported vehicle, the WaterEquity Global Access Fund IV. Announced ahead of World Water Day and the UN 2023 Water Conference, the WaterEquity Fund has attracted nearly $140 million in investments.
Five WRC member companies – Starbucks (the Fund’s corporate anchor investor at up to $25 million), Ecolab, Gap Inc., Reckitt, and DuPont – have come together to invest alongside a $100 million commitment from U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, the United States Government’s development finance institution. This marks a significant milestone in achieving the intended total of $150 million that the WaterEquity Global Access Fund IV expects to attract by mid-2023 with the goal of reaching 5 million people with access to water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Two billion people around the world currently live in water-stressed areas. Based on projected demand, if no action is taken, it is predicted that within the next ten years, the world will face a 40 percent shortfall in freshwater supply. By 2050 more than half the world’s population will live in water-stressed areas.
“Some $300 billion of business value is at risk due to water scarcity, pollution, and climate change. It is vital the corporate sector invest now to protect this natural asset. Water is a shared resource, so we can only safeguard it to ensure the quality and quantity of its availability if we work together," said Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact.
To address a challenge of such magnitude, the WRC Investment Portfolio charts a pathway for long-term sustainable investments in water—at a time when global stakeholders are calling for new investment strategies for water and increased investments from the private sector.
The pipeline identifies a diverse range of investment mechanisms that amount to at least $1 billion. Some examples include private equity investments, blended finance mechanisms, microfinance and impact bonds to drive investment into water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); nature-based solutions; and water and climate resilience.
WaterEquity is the first asset manager exclusively focused on solving the global water and sanitation crisis. Its fourth fund, the Global Access Fund IV, will have a positive impact on households of at least eight countries in South and Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America who will gain access to microfinance loans for the purchase of WASH assets such as household toilets and sewage treatment systems.
“This innovative financing strategy is poised to help mobilize the corporate sector on the water in a radically new way—through investment collaboration,” said Jason Morrison, President of the Pacific Institute and Head of the CEO Water Mandate. “By bringing together leading companies in collective action and leveraging collective capital, the Water Resilience Coalition members will have more impact on the water together than they can on their own.”
WaterEquity’s next fund, the Water and Climate Resilience Fund, will focus exclusively on investing in municipal-level climate-resilient water and sanitation infrastructure for low-income populations in countries in South and Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America.
Through this fund, WaterEquity will provide financing for projects and companies to improve water sourcing, treatment, distribution, and reuse. Microsoft has reached a preliminary agreement with WaterEquity to be the first investor in the Water and Climate Resilience Fund, subject to the execution of final documents. Today, Starbucks also announced a total commitment of $50 million in investments to advance access to water, sanitation, and hygiene. Starbucks and Ecolab are exploring participation in this fund as part of each company's efforts to advance WASH.
“Water underpins every major global challenge. Addressing the global water and sanitation crisis is one of the best ways to build resilience to climate change, achieve global gender equality, and improve health and education,” said Matt Damon, Co-founder of WaterEquity and Water.org. “Our support from the Water Resilience Coalition helps us expand access to life-saving safe water at scale by mobilizing private companies to take collective action and put the needs of the most vulnerable front and center in their investment strategies. Through increasing access to water and sanitation, we can end the cycle of poverty once and for all.”
The WRC Investment Portfolio is the collective investment strategy of the Water Resilience Coalition, a partnership between the Pacific Institute and the UN Global Compact, to bring together CEOs of the world’s most influential companies to build a water-resilient future. Today, 28 leading global companies, as well as a range of partners, including WaterAid, Water.org, and Unicef, are currently part of the Coalition and commit to accelerating quantifiable positive water impact in 100 water-stressed basins, contributing to water security for 3 billion people, and enable equitable WASH access for more than 300 million people by 2030.
The launch of the WRC Investment Portfolio also offers a preview of a second major announcement by the CEO Water Mandate to mobilize the corporate sector during the first official Side Event of the UN 2023 Water Conference on 22 March in the UN Headquarters.
Four Regional Climate Weeks will be held this year to build momentum ahead of COP28 and the conclusion of the first global stocktake, designed to chart how to fulfill the Paris Agreement’s key goals.
“The global stocktake is a critical turning point when it comes to efforts to address climate change – it’s a moment to take a close look at the state of our planet and to chart a better course for the future,” said the Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change Simon Stiell. “We need regional stakeholders to identify what works for them and to present plans and strategies at COP28 in Dubai which are regionally applicable. This will be a key role of the Regional Climate Weeks this year.”
The following Regional Climate Weeks are confirmed:
Regional Climate Weeks bring together a diverse range of stakeholders for regional collaboration on climate change. Participants include representatives of governments, the private sector, development organizations, youth groups, and civil society opening space. The events provide numerous opportunities to engage in solution-oriented dialogues, build new partnerships and collaborate on climate action projects.
This year’s Regional Climate Weeks aim to cluster key events ahead of COP28, which governments have mandated but are not part of the formal negotiating agenda.
All the Regional Climate Weeks will be delivered in close cooperation with global partners of UN Climate Change - the UN Development Program (UNDP), the UN Environment Program (UNEP), and the World Bank groups - as well as regional partners.
Information for event organizers and participants
Organizations wishing to propose to organize an event at one or several climate weeks will have the opportunity to do so when the UN Climate Change secretariat launches the call for expressions of interest in April.
Registration for participants in the regional climate weeks will also open closer to the climate weeks when further information about the program and logistics will be available on the Regional Climate Weeks website.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are a force to be reckoned with. They makeup 90% of businesses globally, create two out of every three jobs worldwide, support the livelihoods of over two billion people, and are indispensable to the smooth functioning of global supply chains.
Despite their enormous impact, many are not yet fully engaged on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. It is easy to understand why. The EU, for example, classifies small businesses as those with 11-49 people and revenues below €10 million a year. A medium-sized business has 50-249 people and annual revenues of up to €50 million.
Owners and managers in such firms have a lot on their plate, and fewer resources than their larger rivals. They may feel they lack the time, knowledge, capacity or funds to tackle problems like the climate crisis or discrimination against minorities. Others simply do not know where to start. But we do need SMEs to work for a better world – for their own sake and for everyone.
Why measuring up on ESG matters for SMEs
Despite the jargon, ESG is about doing all you can to stop or minimize any harmful effects of your business on the environment. It’s about treating your staff and your customers fairly, without discrimination. And it’s about obeying laws and doing the right thing for the places and the people where you operate throughout your supply chain.
These are guiding principles that any business should strive to work by. And they can deliver a raft of benefits, from reducing costs to managing the risk that things will go wrong, meaning the company will be forced to close.
Change is coming for SMEs whether they like it or not. ESG reporting standards and regulations are evolving fast. For example, the German Act on Due Diligence in Supply Chains, effective since January 2023, and a parallel EU initiative, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, are part of a growing global drive to oblige companies to carry out human rights and environmental due diligence across their supply chains. If required, companies must show they have identified actual or potential risks to people and the environment. The evidence must be obtained from suppliers or the suppliers’ own suppliers.
As a result, SMEs that fall behind on ESG risk losing valuable opportunities with big companies, particularly where regulation or capital depends on it, unless they can match the ESG standards of their customers.
To remain on the right side of clients, business partners, and regulators, SMEs must show they are meeting society’s social and governance expectations – and reducing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
But presenting smaller companies with a long ESG checklist and making compliance mandatory is not the best approach.
Making the business case for ESG
The right way is to frame ESG as a driver for innovation, impact, and growth, rather than as a compliance issue. At present, most SMEs view ESG programs as an unnecessary expense and don’t see the benefits. In UN Global Compact surveys, fewer than half of companies with a turnover under $25 million report on their sustainability performance. Among big groups with revenues above $1 billion, 94% do.
SMEs need to be shown the business case for adopting ESG: how it reduces risks and can help cement relationships with important clients. This is where larger companies with their greater access to technology, knowhow, and resources, can help. Indeed, some are already doing so.
The Italian energy group Eni, for example, has made an open-to-all digital platform, Open-es, available so companies can learn to measure and report their sustainability data in a way that is comparable and shareable. The platform has a social network built in to help companies find new partnership opportunities along the supply chain. To date, more than 4,000 companies from 76 countries have joined, and 80% are SMEs.
Ikea is another global company that works with its suppliers to create sustainable value chains. It helps SMEs access renewable energy by negotiating bundled clean power contracts for groups of suppliers. Ikea expects all of its suppliers to sign a code of conduct that takes its cue from the 10 Principles of the UN Global Compact. This sets clear expectations for environmental, social, and working conditions, as well as animal welfare. But the group also has a “staircase model” that helps suppliers continually improve their ESG performance.
The UN Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, also stands ready to help SMEs through its “Local Networks”. These operate in 69 countries and are uniquely positioned to help companies understand what responsible business means within different national, cultural, and language contexts. Its SME engagement strategy is developing specific resources and programs tailored to the needs and interests of SMEs.
SMEs must seize every opportunity to embrace and advance ESG because there is no time to waste. We only have a few years left to alter the trajectory of our GHG emissions, reduce global inequalities, and achieve the substance of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Individually, the contribution of each SME might be modest, but collectively they could make a whole world of a difference.
To make psychological help available and convenient for Ukrainians, the UN Global Compact Network Ukraine has launched the “Mental Help” project. It aims to provide free psychological services to people affected by Russia’s war against Ukraine. The project has been developed with UKRSIBBANK BNP Paribas Group, Schneider Electric Corporation, Foundation de France, and the UN Global Compact Network France.
The war in Ukraine has caused irreparable consequences not only to the physical but also to the psychological health of Ukrainians. According to the Minister of Healthcare, 15 million Ukrainians need psychological assistance. Unfortunately, not all Ukrainians can afford the services of a professional psychologist. However, everyone needs psychological support and care. After the end of the active phase of the war, the number of traumatized people will only increase.
Available online consultation platforms can partly address the challenge of psychological support and target those who are open to such assistance and have access to digital technologies. Consequently, it is essential to continue implementing the project in the future, assisting as many people as possible. That is why Network Ukraine started working on the community project centers, assisting all categories of people. In 2023, UNGC Ukraine aims to launch two community centers in Zaporizhzhia and Kryvyi Rih to provide psychological assistance offline and help Ukrainians overcome the trauma of the war.
The community centers aim to work with people who lost their loved ones or were injured, veterans, and their families to allow people to return to everyday life and be a practical part of the economy. The “Mental Help” project has gathered a team of professional psychologists ready to work with all Ukrainians experiencing the psychological impacts of the war. The project not only helps Ukrainians cope with the trauma of the war and regain psychological health but also provides a job for dozens of psychologists supporting the well-being of their fellow citizens.
History of the project
The “Mental Help” project was launched in March 2022. Its target audience was the employees of the UN Global Compact Network Ukraine’s Participants. During the first three days, specialists provided professional psychological assistance to over 300 people in therapy sessions. Psychologists also conducted several group training on self-support and parenting. In addition, they also offered private counseling to adults and children who left the war zones. Thanks to the support of partners, the project has been expanded to allow as many Ukrainians as possible to overcome traumas, restore psychological health, and return to full-fledged life.
If you would like to support and become a partner of the “Mental Help” project, please get in touch with UN Global Compact Ukraine: help@globalcompact.org.ua.
The UN 2023 Water Conference and the Water Action Agenda will take place at UN Headquarters in New York, March 22-24, 2023. Water is inextricably linked to the three pillars of sustainable development and integrates social, cultural, economic, and political values. It is crosscutting and supports the achievement of many SDGs through close linkages with climate, energy, cities, the environment, food security, poverty, gender equality, and health. With climate change profoundly affecting our economies, societies, and environment, water is the biggest deal breaker to achieving the internationally agreed water-related goals and targets, including those in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The UN Water Conference, co-hosted by the Governments of Tajikistan and the Netherlands, will feature an opening and closing ceremony, six plenary meetings, and five multi-stakeholder interactive dialogues. It will also feature several high-level special events and side events organized by Member States, the UN system, and other stakeholders. More information about the UN 2023 Water Conference can be found here.
Network USA is hosting multiple in-person events during the UN Water Conference (March 22-24) in NYC. For more information about these offerings, please contact Network USA’s Head of Programs, Claudia Herbert Colfer, at claudia@globalcompactusa.org.
Network USA will also host the “The Business Case for Water Resilience” webinar on March 27 at 1:00 pm ET. This webinar will focus on key outcomes from the UN 2023 Water Conference and the ethical and business case for adopting water resilience and sustainability strategies. Participants will gain insight from leading companies and acquire practical tools and resources to implement water strategies. You can register here.
The evidence is clear: Companies with a higher representation of women in the workforce have higher annual returns, greater share prices, and better acquisition and retention. Yet women remain underrepresented in all levels of the organization.
Men* have a critical role in fighting gender bias and giving women a seat at the table, and they have much to gain themselves from advancing equal rights in the workplace.
Developed by gender equality experts with the male leader in mind, this UN Global Compact Academy e-learning course will help you understand why and how you can be a male ally for gender equality. Access the new UN Global Compact e-learning course here.
By completing this 45-minute course, you will:
*Individuals who do not conform to these genders or pronouns are still encouraged to take this course to understand better how those in power positions can advocate for traditionally underrepresented or marginalized groups. For more information, please consult the UN guidelines for gender-inclusive language (in English).
UN Global Compact Network USA is delighted to announce that applications are now open for the 2023 Climate Ambition Accelerator, a six-month program designed to help participating companies of Network USA set and advance ambitious science-based emission targets. Click here to apply to participate in the 2023 Climate Ambition Accelerator round.
Ambitious business leaders recognize that they don’t have to choose between climate action and to have strong economies and bottom lines. On the contrary — taking climate action is the best way to build healthier and thriving people, communities, businesses, and economies. The Climate Ambition Accelerator is a six-month program designed to equip companies with the knowledge and skills to accelerate progress towards setting science-based emissions reduction targets aligned with the 1.5℃ pathway, putting them on a path towards net-zero emissions by 2050.
By partnering with the UN Global Compact Network USA, you’ll gain access to best practices, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, capacity-building sessions, and on-demand training.
Company registration: 22 February - 30 April 2023
Program begins: May 2023
Program ends: November 2023
On 6 February 2023, two devastating earthquakes, measuring 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude on the Richter Scale, struck Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye. The initial earthquake was followed by over 3,100 aftershocks. Impacts have been felt across ten provinces in Türkiye as well as ten governorates in Syria, with the most severe impacts in Hatay, Kahramanmaras, and Gaziantep in Türkiye as well as Aleppo and Idleb in Syria.
The earthquakes and aftershocks have caused catastrophic devastation, with at least 9.1 million people directly impacted in Türkiye and an additional 8.8 million in Syria. As of 16 February, more than 41,000 people have been reported killed and tens of thousands more injured. These numbers likely under-represent the true scale of needs, which will become clearer as further assessments are concluded.
The earthquakes hit communities at the peak of winter, leaving hundreds of thousands of people —including small children and the elderly — without access to shelter, food, water, heaters and medical care in freezing cold temperatures.
This Business Brief provides guidance on how businesses can contribute to the humanitarian efforts underway. The brief is available for download here.
On February 14, 2023, UN Global Compact Network USA released their SDG Innovation Report titled, "Aligning Business Innovation with the Sustainable Development Goals: Success Stories," at an invite-only launch event at ASU Thunderbird in Phoenix, AZ. The SDG Innovation Report is available for download here.
Adam Roy Gordon, Interim Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network USA, delivered the opening remarks, followed by Cynthia Muffuh, Head of Human Rights and Gender, UN Global Compact, who gave the introductory remarks. Next, Mary Teagarden, Deputy Dean of Knowledge Enterprise and Professor of Global Management at Thunderbird School of Global Management, provided an overview of the SDG Innovation Report.
In addition, Network USA hosted a panel discussion highlighting Network USA's SDG Innovation Program for Young Professionals. Shirley-Ann Behravesh, Assistant Professor of Global Sustainable Enterprise at Thunderbird School of Global Management, moderated the discussion. Panelists included Olivier Lazar, Vice President of Youth and Social Impact, PMI; Vance Merolla, Vice President of Global Sustainability, Colgate-Palmolive Company; and Victoria Emerick, Executive Director and Global Head of Corporate Sustainability Strategy and Operations, Bristol-Myers Squibb.
The SDG Innovation Report discusses the importance of innovation in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and offers guidance to companies on how they can innovate to reach the United Nations Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. Through years of operating this program with many of the world's largest companies, Network USA has identified several universal best practices that companies can employ to become sustainability change agents. In this report, Network USA shares the design logic, discusses rich implementation examples, shares its learnings, and recommends actionable steps companies can take to lead their businesses into a future as a force for good.
UN Global Compact Network USA proudly welcomes our new slate of board officers. Daniella Foster of Bayer was elected the new Board Chair; Ann Tracy of Colgate-Palmolive was named Board Secretary; and Shobha Meera of Capgemini stepped in as interim Treasurer. They will join Gayle Schueller of 3M, the Vice Chair, on the executive committee.
Foster, an executive board member and senior vice president, and global head of public affairs, science, sustainability, and consumer health at Bayer, is in her sixth year of service to the Network USA board. She had previously served for two years as the board Secretary.
"I'm honored to be elected as the chair of Network USA and look forward to working with the entire board to advance the organization's growth," said Foster. "As one of the largest UNGC networks in the world, we have a great opportunity to help even more US companies embody and lean into the principles of the Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals."
Tracy is the chief sustainability officer at Colgate-Palmolive and is in her third year on the Network USA board. Meera is Capgemini's chief corporate social responsibility officer and has served on the board for two years.
"I'm confident that Ann will do a great job in her new role as Secretary, and I thank Shobha for stepping up to fill the Treasurer's position," said Foster.
Network USA currently has more than 900 signatory participants and works with them to identify sustainability challenges and opportunities, provide practical guidance, and promote action to support broader UN goals. In addition, it works closely with the UN Global Compact Office to ensure that its members have access to all programs and learning tools to help them progress against the Ten Principles and SDGs.
UN Global Compact Network USA, today announced a new slate of board officers, as well as the appointment of two new directors. Daniella Foster of Bayer was elected the new board chair; Ann Tracy of Colgate-Palmolive was named Secretary; and Shobha Meera of Capgemini stepped in as interim Treasurer. They will join Gayle Schueller of 3M, the Vice Chair, on the executive committee. In addition, Michael Okoroafor of McCormick & Company and Brian Tippens of Cisco, have joined the board.
Foster, an executive board member and senior vice president and global head of public affairs, science, and sustainability, and consumer health at Bayer, is in her sixth year of service to the Network USA board. She had previously served for two years as the board Secretary.
“I’m honored to be elected as the chair of Network USA and look forward to working with the entire board to advance the organization’s growth,” said Foster. “As one of the largest UNGC networks in the world, we have a great opportunity to help even more US companies embody and lean into the principles of the Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Tracy is the chief sustainability officer at Colgate-Palmolive and is in her third year on the Network USA board. Meera is the chief corporate social responsibility officer at Capgemini and has served on the board for two years.
“I'm confident that Ann will do a great job in her new role as Secretary, and I thank Shobha for stepping up to fill the Treasurer's position,” said Foster. “Adding Brian and Michael to our board will only strengthen us in the years ahead, as they both bring great experience from their careers leading corporate sustainability programs and are passionate about the work of the Global Compact.”
Okoroafor is the chief sustainability officer at McCormick, a global leader in flavor that manufactures, markets, and distributes spices, seasonings, condiments, and other flavor products to the entire food industry. He has spearheaded the company’s Purpose-led Performance journey and its inclusion on several well-known indices and lists, including the Corporate Knights Global 100 Sustainability Index, where McCormick has been ranked as the top company in the food industry for the past seven years; the FTSE4Good Index Series; and Fortune’s 2022 Change the World list. Additionally, Okoroafor has helped McCormick obtain recognition as one of America’s Most JUST Companies by JUST Capital. In 2020, he was named an Environment & Energy (E&E) Leader 100 honoree. In 2023, he will receive a Maryland International Business Leader Award for his work to promote Maryland as a global business hub. Okoroafor also serves on the board of Charter Next Generation and AMERIPEN (American Institute for Packaging and the Environment.) He previously served in various leadership roles at PPG, Coca-Cola, and Heinz.
Tippens is in his first year at Cisco, an American-based multinational digital communications technology corporation. He serves as Cisco’s senior vice president and chief social impact officer. He is a World Economic Forum contributor and a member of the Executive Leadership Council. He previously served as chief sustainability officer at HPE and was president of the HPE Foundation. Earlier in Tippens’ career, he worked in the legal group at Intel.
In addition to the four executive committee members, Okoroafor and Tippens join Jennifer Leitsch of EY and Eunice Heath of CRH as current Network USA board directors.
Network USA currently has more than 900 signatory participants and works with them to identify sustainability challenges and opportunities, provide practical guidance, and promote action to support broader UN goals. It works closely with the UN Global Compact Office to assure that its members have access to all programs and learning tools to help them make progress against the Ten Principles and SDGs.
The global community has stood in admiration of the resilience and strength of Ukraine and its people under fire.
But such determination should come as little surprise after meeting Ukrainian agrarian entrepreneurs who have built businesses and realized dreams as part of the SEED educational project of the UN Global Compact.
Under the slogan “Ukraine needs agrarians,” SEED – which stands for Sustainable, Empowering, Ethical, and Diverse – supports small businesses working in agricultural entrepreneurship and sustainable development. It offers up-to-date knowledge of business processes and tools to entrepreneurs creating jobs for themselves, their families, and their communities.
The SEED program, launched in September 2021, helps promote Sustainable Development Goal 8, which calls for decent work and economic growth, SDG 9, which advocates for sustainable industrialization and SDG 12, which includes responsible and sustainable production, as well as the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact which promote human rights, labor rights, anti-corruption, and the environment. SEED grants are funded by the PepsiCo Foundation, MHP, Syngenta in Ukraine, and the UN Global Compact Network Ukraine.
From all over Ukraine, 150 participants were selected for the SEED program. These businesses underwent a month of interactive training and strategic expert sessions with experienced specialists and managers from leading companies, studying project management, social media marketing, communications, financial literacy, investment, and legal issues. They also had individual mentoring sessions.
The project has taken on particular significance with the full-scale invasion by Russia, which has caused considerable losses to Ukrainian businesses, including those in the SEED project, said Tatiana Sakharuk, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network Ukraine.
Describing the preservation and well-being of Ukraine as “a common cause,” Sakharuk said: “The task of entrepreneurs now is to ensure Ukraine’s economic performance.
“It is the modernization of the Ukrainian agricultural sector that will allow it to overcome today's tough challenges,” she said.
After the training, companies pitched their best projects, and 15 received SEED grants to help fund their development.
One of the entrepreneurial business leaders benefitting from SEED is Victoria Kryveshchenko, who built a thriving quail poultry and egg company called Charivnyi Ptah (or “Magic Bird”) with her husband and family in the village of Peremoha, near Kyiv, starting in 2008. Their company was one of the top five producers of quail products in Ukraine and sold its fresh produce to French, German, and Ukrainian supermarket chains.
That came to a terrifying halt when Russian soldiers occupied their farm in March 2022.
The Russians decimated the business, and 70,000 birds died, shot by soldiers or felled by blasts of shelling. Soldiers destroyed the premises and ruined the equipment, the furniture, the car, and more, Kryveshchenko said.
“They tried to steal everything,” she said through a translator. Only 2,000 birds survived.
But the company stayed put and is rebuilding its stock; now it is up to 15,000 birds.
“The Russian soldiers at our place said Ukrainians are crazy that they can stand this situation. They expected us to run away, to surrender,” Kryveshchenko said.
The tiny quail chicks are raised in incubators powered by a generator because the region often does not have electrical power for more than 10 hours a day. But running the generator is expensive, given the war-time cost of fuel.
The staff of 16 wants to work, but there’s not enough birds or business to keep them busy.
“Step by step, we are trying to sell, but with small portions, not with the numbers before the Russians occupied,” she said.
A grant from the SEED programme in November provided funds to buy much-needed feed for the birds, which eat a mix of corn, wheat and vitamins.
“We try to live day by day, just to survive, to stay a bit normal,” Kryveshchenko said.
“We are very strong,” she said of her fellow Ukrainians. “We can survive even under such circumstances.”
Russian forces’ occupation of Bucha, about 30 km northwest of Kyiv, in March forced Victoria Maslova and her family to abandon the gardens, lab and manufacturing facilities where they produced herbal skin care products. Their business is called VESNA, which means ‘Spring.’
Maslova and her mother Inna Skarzhynska started VESNA in 2015, hoping to find solutions to skin problems they saw in their family and others, such as acne and pregnancy pigmentation.
“We couldn’t find it in the supermarkets, so we started doing it ourselves,” she said. “We had no money. We had only an idea. We started in the kitchen.”
Maslova studied cosmetology and marketing, and her mother learned chemistry. They grew coriander, nettle, rose amaranth, turmeric, and even algae. The business combined ancient recipes with modern techniques. It expanded to 10 employees producing plant-based facial care, body care, hair care, and a children’s line as well as private label products for other brands.
The last year before the full-scale war erupted, VESNA had three branded stores and more than 50 partners. It was distributing cosmetics in beauty salons and hotel complexes and selling its products on the international online marketplace Etsy.
VESNA was based in Bucha, invaded and occupied by Russian forces early in March 2022. The company managed to distribute all its goods to families hiding in nearby bomb shelters just one day before the Russians destroyed its store, office, laboratory and production facilities.
“After the occupation, everything was stolen. All the equipment was destroyed,” Maslova said.
She said that the business has relocated to Lviv, but the rebuilding process is difficult.
Equipment needs to be replaced for making cosmetics. That is very specific and very expensive, she said, and the business needs production facilities and trained staff. Many distribution and retail partners have closed or moved abroad, and delivery logistics are troublesome, she said.
Maslova said SEED funding helped VESNA replace equipment for making essential oils, a key component of its products.
When the war began, Maslova said she expected to pare production down to making healing ointments and hand creams for Ukrainian troops, including skin care for female soldiers.
“They want to be beautiful, even in the army,” she said.
But she said that customers who took VESNA products in their luggage when they fled the invasion are now asking for more.
“They say their skincare care helps them. The beauty routine helps them psychologically,” she said.
In rebuilding, VESNA is not only making all its previous items but has added products called for by the circumstances, like aroma candles in demand by so many Ukrainians without electricity; she said
Then there's a new men's skincare line, designed especially for those in the military, she said.
The line is called “I need ammunition, not a ride” after the resolute statement by Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky when he rejected offers for him to leave the country at the start of the invasion.
Other SEED nominees and winners in Ukraine include the brand "Berry Side of Life," which grows produce in the Kyiv region. In the spring of 2022, its village fell under Russian occupation, and the planting of berries was delayed.
In the Kherson region, Volodymyr Zhdanov’s family-owned business of loofah cultivation, another SEED winner, also was thwarted by occupying forces. The family could not reap its loofah crop and suffered losses, but Zhdanov is anxiously hoping for his native village to be liberated to begin business again.
NEW YORK, NY: (Feb. 1, 2023) – Progress against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) have stalled over the course of the past two years. There are myriad causes for this in the United States, including lack of environmental regulation, food shortages and deserts, and widening inequalities. Rather than progress, global greenhouse gas emissions are set to increase by almost 14% over the current decade, even with current national commitments. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has created a multiplying effect that continues to exacerbate these issues.
The US private sector is a critical lever for generating much-needed solutions globally. Agenda 2030 envisions a secure world free of poverty, hunger and an end to environmental degradation, and achieving this will require companies to increase their ambition on the SDGs. The US private sector must have a trusted partner to navigate these complex issues, making the value of a partnership with the UN Global Compact’s Network USA even more critical to our nation's business community.
"I encourage any organization that has not yet signed the Compact to join now because we need you," said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. “Resolution of the intractable problems we face cannot come from governments alone. We need non-government organizations (NGO) and civil society, we need academics and scholars, and we most certainly need the business community."
Network USA is the Local Network chapter of the United Nations Global Compact, supporting US businesses and subsidiaries of multinational corporations in implementing the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles and SDGs. Network USA currently has more than 900 signatory companies and works with them to identify sustainability challenges and opportunities, provide practical guidance, and promote action supporting broader UN goals.
Member companies often take advantage of the Accelerators: educational programs designed to train internal teams to help generate behavior change across companies. These Accelerators help companies understand and implement practical solutions to integrating the 17 SDGs into core business management, and train future business leaders to develop, drive, and scale innovative solutions through new technologies and inclusive business models. Network USA is growing its staff in 2023 and developing additional accelerator programming in diversity, equity, and inclusion to meet the growing demand for guidance and support from the private sector.
During last September’s UN General Assembly, Network USA hosted SDG Summit USA. This sold-out event welcomed over 400 attendees and brought together nearly 200 US companies who actively support the UN Secretary General's call to align their strategies and operations with universal principles. In addition, Network USA showcased the actions of the US private sector through a series of panel discussions highlighting steps companies can take to increase ambition, innovation, and implementation of the SDGs into core business operations.
"Businesses have become increasingly more trusted on the global stage; therefore, expectations for companies to do more for society have increased. Businesses are seen and expected to take a positive leadership role in all elements," said Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General, Executive Director, and CEO of the UN Global Compact.
She emphasized the need for US companies to integrate sustainability throughout their operations. "We have also seen a shift in how the private sector views sustainability and its role in securing a company's future," said Ojiambo. "We took a recent survey of signatories, and it told us that companies are becoming more interested in sustainability as one of the critical drivers for responsible business and strengthening their brand perception."
Achieving Agenda 2030 and meeting the demands of the present moment for future generations will require accelerating our collective efforts. Therefore, companies must identify and strategically prioritize actions that will advance their contribution to global goals and set aggressive targets with absolute benchmarks. Network USA is committed to working with American companies to drive this progress forward.
With 2023 underway, there’s no doubt we live in a fragile, fractured world. The war in Ukraine, energy and food crises, climate change, extreme weather, threats to democracy, the ongoing pandemic, and many other headwinds like inflation, currency fluctuation, and looming recession undermine our efforts for a sustainable world.
These are global challenges we must rally behind addressing. Let’s make sure that 2023 is a year that turns the tide back to progress. Solutions are always near. We have several important opportunities that can contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive world.
With the world facing extraordinary crises, the UN Global Compact and its 62 Local Networks are supporting companies to take measurable, accountable actions for a sustainable world. It’s the right thing to do and good for business.
This year, I’d particularly like to call on CEOs and challenge them to be bolder and more ambitious in how they lead their companies. Indeed, many of our participating CEOs are already making major contributions. We must recognize and appreciate these efforts in difficult times. However, we need everyone to give an extra push.
For business, taking a principles-based, sustainable approach improves long-term business outcomes and competitiveness while assuring greater inclusion and equality.
The UN’s 2023 SDG Summit in September will mark the halfway point of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and take stock of where we are and need to be. This will be a critical milestone and a significant opportunity for companies and stakeholders to announce ambitious and credible actions and targets.
We have a real opportunity to revive efforts toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Now is the time for leadership. With governments and other stakeholders, the private sector must be bold. We expect our participants to drive positive impacts across the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact. This year, we believe it is especially important for businesses to take action to address five areas:
1. living wage
2. climate change
3. gender equality
4. water stewardship
5. sustainable finance
These are the five areas we believe the private sector can make the greatest impact on accelerating progress across the Global Goals. Acting on these areas can also drive business opportunities through inclusivity, better business, and mobilizing capital.
Climate change remains the existential threat to this planet, threatens the global economy, and impedes progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. That’s why UN Secretary-General António Guterres has also announced the Climate Ambition Summit in September and called on every leader to step up and bring new, credible, serious climate actions.
This includes a call to companies to set science-based targets and support the achievement of the Paris Agreement. Let’s not forget we need to do this for the young people and future generations calling for action to achieve the Paris Agreement.
Last year’s report, Integrity Matters, by the UN High-Level Expert Group on Net-Zero Commitments, provides a how-to guide to ensure credible, accountable net-zero pledges. Actions by the private sector and others around these recommendations will be vital to the Climate Ambition Summit and the next steps we take as we look to COP 28.
We need strong, at-scale private sector leaders ready to be ambitious, innovative, and partner. In the year ahead, it will be critical for participants of the UN Global Compact and the broader private sector community to do even more.
At the UN Global Compact, we work towards building a global cohort of responsible businesses that are a force for good. In 2022, 90% of participant companies surveyed confirmed that the UN Global Compact helped them advance corporate responsibility policies and practices.
Last year, we went from being present in 69 countries to 96 countries, and our participants surpassed 17,000 companies and 3,000 non-business participants, representing nearly every sector and size.
We launched our 12th CEO Study earlier this month, drawing on insights from more than 2,600 CEOs across 128 countries and 18 industries.
According to the study, CEOs face an enormously challenging global context, with the vast majority (93%) experiencing ten or more simultaneous challenges to their businesses, and most (87%) warning that current levels of disruption will limit delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals.
But there is room for hope. Nearly all CEOs surveyed (98%) agree that sustainability is core to their role. They increasingly recognize they can build credibility and brand value by committing to the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals throughout their operations.
This is one of the reasons why we are excited to launch our enhanced Communication on Progress for participants this year.
The enhanced Communication on Progress will support decision-making processes and help businesses measure progress in a standardized way that supports recognition, transparency, and comparability of corporate actions. We will require all participants to disclose progress using a new digital platform to add value and streamline reporting on the Ten Principles.
Now, more than ever, we must pair our ambitions with credibility and accountability to ensure we make real change.
Together, we can address many challenges we face in 2023 and beyond. I’m excited about the opportunities before us. I look forward to your continued participation in the UN Global Compact and helping to drive progress towards a more sustainable world.
Sincerely,
Sanda Ojiambo
CEOs are facing an enormously challenging global context, with the vast majority (93%) experiencing ten or more simultaneous challenges to their businesses and 87% warning that current levels of disruption will limit delivery of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) finds the most extensive CEO study on sustainability ever conducted by the UN Global Compact and Accenture (NYSE: ACN). While CEOs are increasingly concerned about these headwinds, nearly all (98%) agree that sustainability is core to their role. This sentiment has grown 15 percentage points over the last ten years of the study.
The 12th United Nations Global Compact-Accenture CEO Study draws on insights from more than 2,600 CEOs across 128 countries, 18 industries, and over 130 in-depth interviews—making this the largest-ever sampling of executives, including the biggest group of CEOs from the Global South, since the start of the CEO study program in 2007. In the study, CEOs forewarn the impact of converging setbacks for business and society, from faltering multilateralism and socioeconomic instability to supply-chain interruptions and the immediate effects of climate change.
“In a world categorized by conflict, energy shortages, rising inflation, and the threat of recession, this year’s study shows CEOs do not believe the world is as resilient to crises as we may have hoped. Businesses continue to be impacted by multiple shocks. As a result, on a broad range of issues, from runaway climate change to widening social and economic inequalities, business action right now does not match the ambition and pace needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030,” said Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary General, CEO and Executive Director UN Global Compact.
As these challenges stack up, CEOs point to global issues that traditionally lie outside the corporate sphere—such as climate change or socio-political conflicts—as reasons for worry about over-delivering value and impact for all stakeholders. With only eight years left to rescue the SDGs, nearly half (43%) of CEOs globally say their sustainability efforts have been hampered due to the geopolitical environment. That number is even higher for CEOs from developing countries (51%). When examining net zero targets set by the world’s largest companies, Accenture also found that nearly all will miss their targets unless they double the rate of carbon emissions reductions by 2030.
However, some CEOs continue to make a significant impact and show clear pockets of success that deliver shared stakeholder value and competitive advantage in their industries. They are reshaping the future of sustainable development through innovation and collaboration. Two-thirds of CEOs (66%) say their companies engage in long-term strategic partnerships to build resilience. These leaders are reconfiguring underlying supply chains, reskilling their workforces, reassessing their relationship with natural resources, and reimagining planetary boundaries through technological breakthroughs spanning physical, digital, and biological solutions.
“Not meeting the promise of the SDGs is a real concern but, at the same time, an enormous opportunity for companies that reinvent their enterprises and harness sustainability as one of the key forces of change in the next decade,” said Peter Lacy, Accenture’s global Sustainability Services lead and chief responsibility officer. “CEOs are concerned about resilience, but one leader’s resilience is another leader’s growth opportunity. New waves of technology investments and breakthrough innovation can put the SDGs back within reach – but only if leaders turn to sustainability for resilience to help create new markets, products, and services that can correct the current trajectory and drive growth amid times of disruption.”
CEOs also identify a clear need to focus on technology to find solutions to tackle global challenges and drive growth. Leading CEOs are already embedding sustainability into their businesses through launching new products and services for sustainability (63%), enhancing sustainability data collection across their value chains (55%), and investing in renewable energy sources (49%). In addition, nearly half (49%) are transitioning to circular business models, and 40% are increasing R&D funding for sustainable innovation.
In their interviews, CEOs identify key initiatives to build resilience for companies, from establishing science-based climate targets and investing in their workforce’s diversity to engaging in cross-industry partnerships on technology solutions, enhancing supply chain visibility, and advancing more incredible biodiversity. In addition, CEOs continue calling for government engagement on policy changes1 that prioritize measurable long-term objectives such as standardized ESG reporting frameworks, a global market for carbon, and incentives for sustainable business models.
“Despite setbacks, there is room for hope. The CEOs we surveyed increasingly recognize they can build credibility and brand value by committing to the Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals throughout their operations– not only because it’s the right thing to do but also because it is a good business sense,” added Ojiambo.
About the CEO Study Program
The CEO Study program, developed by the UN Global Compact and Accenture, aims to enhance understanding and commitment between the United Nations and the private sector. The program is an extensive review of the advancing corporate sustainability movement, and the publications coalesce dominant views of CEOs, business leaders, and UN executives to track developments in sustainability.
Today's sustainability professional is under pressure to do more, and faster than ever before. Over 1,600 sustainable business leaders will gather for GreenBiz 23 (February 14-16, Scottsdale, AZ) to harness the knowledge of experts, peers, and new voices that will help achieve net zero, advance the circular economy, elevate social justice, safeguard biodiversity, build resilient supply chains and more.
GreenBiz 23 will address social and environmental sustainability within the business context, focusing on large, mainstream companies. The event will also engage leaders beyond the sustainability function, including CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CIOs, heads of the legal, supply chain, human resources, investor relations, and others. The GreenBiz 23 program will focus on "looking around corners" to understand near- and longer-term risks and opportunities across the sustainability landscape. Mainstage keynotes and targeted breakouts address the race to net zero; finance and ESG; circularity; supply chain resilience; storytelling, and how to effectively lead change. By attending, you'll gain access to inspiring keynotes, engaging breakout sessions, and valuable networking that will help you address the complex issues on your plate at the scale, scope, and speed required. Network USA is pleased to offer companies a 20% discount code to attend the conference (use code GB23UNGC at checkout).
During GreenBiz 23, UN Global Compact Network USA will host several events. On Tuesday, February 14, 2023, from 9:00 AM -11:00 AM (MT), Network USA will launch its SDG Innovation Report at ASU Thunderbird in Phoenix, AZ. This report discusses the importance of innovation in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and offers guidance to companies on how they can innovate to reach the United Nations Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. In-person tickets to Network USA's SDG Innovation Report launch event are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. You can request an in-person ticket here or register to join the event online here.
In addition, Network USA will host a series of invite-only roundtables at GreenBiz 2023 throughout the day on February 15, 2023. Companies will share their views on the UN Global Compact to help inform how the United Nations engages US companies on corporate sustainability. Companies interested in attending this event can request an invitation here.
Biodiversity, the variety of life in the natural world, is declining at the fastest rate in human history. The last crisis of this scale led to the extinction of dinosaurs 65 million years ago. The survival of ecosystems, whether it’s coral reefs, deserts, or rainforests, depend on a diverse array of insects, plants, and animals. These organisms function like a complicated web, creating the processes upon which all life depends. Biodiversity underpins the global food system, soil and air quality, medicine, pollination and pest control, and climate regulation. Currently, over a million plants and animals are at risk of extinction, posing an existential threat to the natural environment and the human species. In the words of the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, “We are committing suicide by proxy.”
While humans are behind every significant driver of biodiversity loss—overfishing, hunting, mining, logging, climate change, and pollution- humanity also has the power to reverse course and restore our planet’s diverse ecosystems.
The scale and stakes of the biodiversity crisis prompted nearly 200 countries to convene last month in Montreal, Canada at the Biodiversity Conference of the Parties (COP15). Following two weeks of tense negotiations, delegates adopted the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), the most ambitious international conservation effort to date. Likened to the 1.5°C temperature target set out by the Paris Agreement, the GBF outlines four overarching goals and 23 specific targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.
Key outcomes from the Global Biodiversity Framework include:
The United States was one of two countries that did not sign the GBF (the other being the Holy See). Despite this, the United States’ biodiversity envoy attended the conference and pledged $600 million in monetary support to the UN fund for climate and biodiversity over the next four years. President Biden also passed an executive order to mirror the GBF, committing to protect 30% of the United States’ land and waters.
“Profit and Protection Go Hand-in-Hand”
An overarching theme of the summit recognized the vital role businesses play in achieving biodiversity goals. The lofty objectives set out in the GBF require more than conservation initiatives; halting and reversing biodiversity requires widescale socio-economic transformation toward sustainable consumption and production models. Businesses must redefine their relationship with nature in a way that “recognize(s) that profit and protection go hand-in-hand.” A record number of private sector parties (between 700 and 1,000) responded to this call-to-action by attending the summit in Montreal. According to Elizabeth Mrema, the head of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, "[Business are starting to understand]… the impact of their operations on nature, the nature biodiversity which we all depend on and (they) also depend (on) for their businesses. If they are not part of the framework, their businesses will also suffer."
For the first time in a multi-lateral agreement, the BDF commits businesses to specific targets aimed at preserving the natural environment, a first step in redefining the corporate-nature nexus. While the United States is not a signatory, the GBF impacts Network USA businesses both directly and through their value chains. Businesses within Network USA have a responsibility to align with international efforts and set an example of corporate environmental stewardship within the U.S marketplace.
The Global Biodiversity Framework includes several targets specific to business:
Outside of formal negotiations, businesses and organizations collaborated on efforts to rally corporate ambition for nature. Initiatives include:
The landmark agreements at COP15 mark a turning point in global ambition to restore the natural world. The success of the GBF, however, depends on the implementation of these targets moving forward.
How can your business support the planet and reverse the decline in biodiversity?
COP15 provides a framework to begin healing humanity’s relationship with nature. COP16, the next United Nations Biodiversity Conference, will take place in Turkey in 2024 and evaluate global progress on the GBF. For the world to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, the next year and a half is critical. Between now and 2024, businesses must make strides to transform the socio-economic system toward one that restores and protects our ecosystems.
Network USA will host programming in 2023 to engage businesses on this important topic. These programs will equip businesses with tools, resources, and partnerships to start integrating the targets of the GBF into business practice. Stay tuned for more details and information on Network USA’s upcoming biodiversity events.
Start the new year by honing your foundational corporate sustainability skills with three new e-learning courses from the UN Global Compact Academy.
Biodiversity fundamentals:
The business case for action Developed in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme - World Conservation Monitoring Centre, this 60-minute e-learning course will help you transition to nature-positive business practices by learning from pioneering companies already taking action. Click here to learn more.
Taking Collective Action for Anti-corruption:
This 30-minute course introduces you to the Collective Action methodology, a six-step approach to addressing corruption challenges and mitigating potential business risks. Click here to learn more.
Transformational Governance:
Driving responsible business conduct In this 30-minute e-learning course, learn about transformational governance — a hands-on framework for business leaders to address these rising demands by adopting a broader approach to their internal and external governance. Click here to learn more.
We are excited to announce the launch of a new Communication on Progress (CoP) platform in 2023. The enhanced Communication on Progress offers many benefits to participants.
With the introduction of the new Communication on Progress, we will transition from a narrative format to a standardized questionnaire supported by a digital platform. All participants must disclose their progress using the new Communication on Progress system beginning in 2023. Prepare now by reviewing the new CoP Guidebook, designed to help you complete the questionnaire portion of the CoP.
Why the new CoP is better
The new Communication on Progress will result in improved data that drives sustainability progress and enables participating companies like yours to:
Build credibility and brand value by showing their commitment to the Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Measure and demonstrate progress to stakeholders on the Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals in a consistent and harmonized way.
Receive insight, learn, and continuously improve performance by identifying gaps, accessing guidance, and setting sustainability goals.
Compare progress against peers with access to one of the largest sources of free, public and comparable corporate sustainability data.
We will also introduce a universal submission period from 1 March through 30 June each year starting in 2023.
What’s in the Guidebook
● Information on calculation methodologies and rationale
● Linkages to relevant sustainability reporting standards
● Glossary of terms used in the CoP questionnaire
● Answers to frequently asked questions
About the Enhanced Communication on Progress
1. What is the enhanced Communication on Progress (CoP)?
To add value to business participants and align with the latest reporting trends, the CoP has been enhanced to strengthen transparency and help companies improve performance on the Ten Principles. To this end, the enhanced CoP now consists of two requirements: A CEO statement of continued support and a new standardized CoP questionnaire. The CEO statement is a standardized template, electronically signed, and signals a participant's commitment to the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact at the highest level. The CoP questionnaire spans five topic areas and is designed to help participating companies monitor and guide progress against the Ten Principles. The CEO statement and questionnaire will need to be completed annually via the new CoP digital platform.
2. When can I report with the enhanced CoP?
The Universal Submission Period will be from 1 March to 30 June annually. Business participants must report and submit their CoP during this period to retain their “active” Global Compact status. See the new CoP policy for details.
3. What resources are available to help me prepare?
We encourage participating companies to become familiar with the enhanced CoP questionnaire by reviewing the questionnaire template and CoP Guidebook. The Guidebook contains information and rationale for each question, a data checklist to help prepare and organize company data before reporting, and a glossary that defines terms used throughout the questionnaire. Business participants can also access recordings of this summer’s information sessions that review the CoP policy, requirements, and section deep dives for additional information.
4. Where will I report the enhanced CoP?
Participants are required to complete and submit their CoP digitally through the new CoP platform, available through their participant dashboard. The platform will be accessible to participants on 1 March 2023.
The UN Global Compact brought together representatives from the United Nations, governments, and the private sector at the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) in Sharm El Sheikh to galvanize the private sector and industry to assess better environmental risks and opportunities, set and deliver ambitious climate targets, and adopt responsible practices for the transition to a net-zero and resilient world.
During COP27, the world reached a critical milestone: the UN reported last week that the global population hit the 8 billion mark. That's the number of people who now call this planet home, and 8 billion lives are at risk from climate change and its catastrophic impacts. Those in poor, climate-vulnerable countries are hit the hardest.
"The voices of those on the frontlines of the climate crisis must be heard," stressed United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. Speaking from Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt after the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 27), he affirmed, "This COP has taken an important step toward justice."
According to Edelman's second annual Trust Barometer Special Report: Trust and Climate Change, a global survey of 14,000 people in 14 countries, there are fears that as the climate crisis worsens, business is not trusted to do what is necessary to respond.
Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General, and CEO, of UN Global Compact, speaking during the global climate conference, emphasized the importance of private sector action to tackle the climate crisis:
"We have less than ten years left to shift the world onto a 1.5C trajectory, reduce global inequalities and achieve the substance of the SDG Agenda. Our changing climate means, more than ever, that we are running out of time. It really is now or never for the private sector to turn their bold commitments into tangible solutions to protect our planet and our collective future. The UN Global Compact looks forward to continuing our work with businesses all over the world to accelerate our transition to net-zero."
During COP27, over 50 leading CEOs from across the African continent who are part of the Africa Business Leaders Coalition (ABLC) presented the Africa Business Leaders' Climate Statement outlining key commitments companies can make to galvanize climate action. The signatories also called for the global community to fulfill their climate commitments and create an enabling environment for the private sector to unlock climate finance and invest in bankable projects.
The UN Global Compact, the UN Environment Program (UNEP), and the UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) also brought together senior executives of business, industry, finance, civil society, the United Nations, and Government at the High-Level Meeting of Caring for Climate. Those present discussed how to bring forward a strong business message of climate ambition and discussed tangible solutions that lead to sustainable economic growth to realize the goals of the Paris Agreement.
The UN Global Compact also hosted its third annual Uniting Business Africa event with the Africa Hub and Local Networks in Africa. The event focused on how the private sector can accelerate and support climate change initiatives across Africa. Discussions addressed the challenges, successes, and next steps towards implementing green supply chain policies and practices, the importance of food security and adaptation for the region, and renewable energy access and climate resilience.
After marathon negotiations, COP 27 concluded with a long-sought agreement on a fund to help developing nations with loss and damage inflicted by a crisis they did little to cause. While the deal was historic, efforts to keep polluters in check and the goals of the Paris Agreement within reach fell short – signaling that it will take new levels of ambition to ensure a livable future for all 8 billion of us and future generations.
In a follow-up to COP27, the UN Global Compact, in collaboration with UN Global Compact Network USA, will be hosting a webinar titled "COP27 Debrief: What's Next for the Private Sector?" on December 6, 2022, at 9:00 am 10:00 pm ET. This special debrief will help companies understand the key outcomes of COP27 for the private sector. In addition, climate action champions and senior advisers from the UN Secretary-General's Climate Action team will provide context and nuance to the main headlines and share priorities for corporate action to drive progress leading up to COP28 in Dubai next year.
To Register, click here.
At the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27), the United States launched the Net-Zero Government Initiative, inviting governments to lead by example and achieve net-zero emissions from national government operations by no later than 2050. During a COP27 event with partner nations, Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory and U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry announced that 18 countries have joined the United States in this new Initiative.
Countries joining the United States in committing to net-zero government emissions include: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Korea, Lithuania, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
“The Net-Zero Government Initiative demonstrates that there is a growing global consensus about the role of governments in the transition,” said Secretary Kerry. “Through this Initiative, countries’ governments lead by example and send multi-market demand signals for clean technology, products and services that will spur markets.”
“The United States is proud to launch the Net-Zero Government Initiative and welcomes the partnership of each nation that has joined us,” said Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory. “There is much that governments can learn from one another—and inspiration we can draw from each other’s successes as we work to accelerate progress towards net-zero emissions across the globe.”
By joining this Initiative, countries are collectively underscoring the critical leadership role governments can play. National governments are frequently the largest employers, electricity consumers, vehicle fleet owners, real estate holders, and purchasers of goods and services in their countries. Governments committing and acting to reduce their own emissions can play a catalytic role in accelerating economy-wide actions, driving zero-carbon technologies and markets, and lowering decarbonization costs across all sectors.
Countries that participate in the Net-Zero Government Initiative commit to achieving net-zero emissions from national government operations by no later than 2050, developing a roadmap by COP28 that outlines the pathway for achieving the net-zero commitment with interim targets, and publishing the roadmap upon completion.
Many countries are already taking steps to green their government operations by transitioning to clean vehicle fleets, advancing energy efficient and sustainable government buildings, expanding carbon-free electricity for government operations, pursuing resilience and nature-based solutions, and advancing sustainable public procurement policies. For example, President Biden’s Federal Sustainability Plan directs the U.S. government to achieve net-zero emissions across its operations by 2050 by transitioning Federal infrastructure to zero-emission vehicles and energy efficient buildings powered by carbon pollution-free electricity.
Watch the livestream of the event here.
Throughout COP27, the United States announced several new steps to help reach President Biden’s Federal sustainability goals:
WHAT Net-Zero Government Initiative PARTNER COUNTRIES ARE SAYING
“President Biden raised our government’s climate ambition by setting the historic goal for all Federal operations reaching net-zero emissions by 2050,” said White House Federal Chief Sustainability Officer Andrew Mayock. “The U.S. Government is now joined by 18 national governments committed to attaining net-zero government emissions by 2050. Through this Initiative, national governments will work together to steadily curb emissions in ways that meet the urgency of the climate crisis.”
“The Albanese Government has new ambitious targets and we’ve set the bar high for the Australian Public Service to help drive down emissions across the Australian economy and open up economic opportunities,” said Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Honorable Chris Bowen MP. “Australia has the potential to be a renewable energy superpower and the Australian Public Service will be supporting the development of new industries and strengthening international trade relations.”
“Austria will be climate neutral by 2040,” said Austria’s Minister of Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology, the Honorable Leonore Gewessler. “To serve as a role model for broader society, we adopted an ambitious national sustainable public procurement plan in 2021.”
“Countries around the world are taking action to achieve net-zero government operations and drive down national GHG emissions,” said the Honorable Mona Fortier, President of the Treasury Board, Government of Canada. “Canada is proud to join the Net-Zero Government Initiative. Through this important initiative, we are taking action together on climate change and contributing to a healthier planet.”
“Reducing emissions from public administrations is a priority for France and government must be exemplary in this respect, as planned in the French plan for sufficiency,” said France’s Minister for Energy Transition, the Honorable Agnès Pannier-Runacher. “We have therefore set a temperature limit of 19 degrees Celsius in government buildings for this winter. In addition, 100% of new government buildings must comply with the strictest emissions standards. Ultimately, our objective is net carbon neutrality for all the State’s public services in 2050.”
“Leading by example creates credibility for climate protection,” said Germany’s Parliamentary State Secretary, the Honorable Stefan Wenzel. “This applies above all to public administration. It can act as a driver for sustainable change with its purchasing power alone. This is exactly what we have set out to do in Germany: Our federal administration aims to become climate neutral by 2045.”
“Government leadership is key to climate action in Ireland and across the world,” said Ireland’s Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, the Honorable Eamon Ryan. I am pleased to lend my support to this initiative which highlights the catalytic role played by the public sector in mobilizing energetic pursuit of the achievement of our climate targets.”
“It is deeply meaningful for Korea to join the Net-Zero Government Initiative, which emphasizes the leading role of governments in countries’ efforts for a net-zero future,” said the Republic of Korea’s Minister of Environment, the Honorable Han Wha-jin. “Korea will work towards its vision of 2050 carbon neutrality through the 20-year national plan on carbon neutrality and green growth.”
“We are proud to join the Net-Zero Government Initiative to share best practice and support countries to achieve net-zero from their government operations,” said New Zealand’s Minister of Climate Change, the Honorable James Shaw. “New Zealand’s Carbon Neutral Government Programme is already underway. Our goal is for New Zealand government emissions to reach net zero by 2025.”
“Recognizing the role of governments as leaders in climate action, Singapore has set a target for our public sector to achieve net zero emissions around 2045, ahead of the national net zero target in 2050,” said Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, the Honorable Grace Fu. “We look forward to sharing best practices with and learning alongside like-minded partners to proactively green the public sector.”
On November 10, 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration took historic action to address greenhouse gas emissions and protect the Federal Government's supply chains from climate-related financial risks. In support of President Biden's Executive Orders on Climate-Related Financial Risk and Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability, the Administration proposed the Federal Supplier Climate Risks and Resilience Rule, which would require major Federal contractors to publicly disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related financial risks and set science-based emissions reduction targets.
As the world's single largest buyer of goods and services—purchasing over $630 billion in the last fiscal year alone—the Federal Government faces significant financial risks from climate change. Supply chain disruptions over the past year have impacted every sector, including the Federal Government and its critical contractors and subcontractors. The new Federal Supplier Climate Risks and Resilience Rule would strengthen the resilience of vulnerable Federal supply chains, resulting in greater efficiencies and reduced climate risk.
Under the proposed Federal Supplier Climate Risks and Resilience Rule, "major" Federal contractors receiving more than $50 million in annual contracts would be required to publicly disclose Scope 1, Scope 2, and relevant categories of Scope 3 emissions, disclose climate-related financial risks, and set science-based emissions reduction targets. Additionally, "significant" Federal contractors with more than $7.5 million in annual contracts but less than $50 million would be required to report Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Federal contractors with less than $7.5 million in annual contracts would be exempt from the Federal Supplier Climate Risks and Resilience Proposed Rule.
Fact Sheet: Biden-Harris Administration Proposes Plan to Protect Federal Supply Chain from Climate-Related Risk
Federal Register Notice: Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate-Related Financial Risk
At the 27th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP 27), the first global task force dedicated to a just transition in the maritime industry has launched a ten-point action plan to upskill seafarers and meet shipping’s decarbonization goals. Read 'Mapping a Maritime Just Transition for Seafarers' here
The Maritime Just Transition Task Force was established during COP26 in November 2021,by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), the United Nations Global Compact, the International Labour Organization (ILO)and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The Task Force has the aim of supporting a just and human-centered decarbonization of the shipping industry.
The Task Force is grateful to its primary funder, Lloyd’s Register Foundation, and its programme partner, the Singapore Maritime Foundation. The Task Force is also grateful to its Phase 1 Project Supporters: Anglo-Eastern Ship Management, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA, Ocean Technologies Group, Ocean Network Express, and Philippine Transmarine Carriers(PTC).
More information on the Maritime Just Transition Task Force and its Global Industry Peer Learning Group can be found on the UN Global Compact website, the International Chamber of Shipping website and the International Transport Workers’ Federation website.
The SBTi is undertaking a process of strengthening its governance to ensure the growing number of companies and financial institutions within the SBTi can be held to the highest level of climate ambition. As part of this, the SBTi is reforming and expanding the Technical Advisory Group (TAG).
The TAG is a permanent advisory group of SBT-setting experts providing practical technical development advice. They also have a Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) that guides our interpretation of climate science. These groups are not decision-making bodies.
What are the benefits?
Details can be found in the Terms of Reference and interested applicants can apply here.
The 11th UN Forum on Business and Human Rights will take place November 28 – 30,2022, in a hybrid format, virtually and in person, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, subject to public health regulations.
Established by the UN Human Rights Council, the Forum is guided and chaired by the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights. It is organized by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Since its creation in 2011, the annual UN Forum on Business and Human Rights has brought together thousands of participants from governments, international organizations, businesses, trade unions, civil society, communities, lawyers, and academia worldwide.
Centered on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) – the global framework for States and businesses to prevent and address the impacts of business-related activities on human rights – the Forum has provided a unique multi-stakeholder platform for discussing trends and challenges in implementing the UNGPs and realizing a more sustainable global economy.
As the UNGPs turned 10 in June 2021, the convergence of the COVID-19 and climate crises, amid a few other significant global challenges, underlined the need to bridge the gaps between economic actors, and respect for people and the planet is more pressing than ever. Set against this backdrop, and with the UNGPs as the central reference point for efforts toward bridging these gaps, the 11th annual Forum takes stock of efforts at securing accountability and access to remedy to focus on how the implementation of the UNGPs can be accelerated from a rights-holder perspective.
Click here to register for the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights.
The application period to join the SDG Innovation Accelerator (formerly the Young SDG Innovators Program) for 2023 is now open. You can apply to join the SDG Innovation Program here.
The SDG Innovation Accelerator is a 9-month program for Young Professionals. It is designed to engage young leaders working at UN Global Compact companies in driving innovation in their organization and delivering tangible solutions with potential market and social value for their company.
This Accelerator aims at fostering a new community of emerging leaders disrupting traditional ways of doing business and spearheading change for true SDG impact. The program connects entry- to mid-level managers –aged 35 and younger – across diverse business units to generate bold yet viable solutions that can positively impact the company and the SDGs. By focusing on young professionals from various business units, the program aims to mainstream SDG innovation and future business leaders and decision-makers to become advocates and working practitioners of SDG innovation and spread this practice across their companies at all levels.
Watch UN Global Compact Network USA's "An Introduction to the SDG Innovation Accelerator" webinar to learn more about the program and hear from past participants. Applications will be accepted until January 12, 2023. The program will start in late January 2023.
In November 2022, the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt will host the 27th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP 27), with a view to building on previous successes and paving the way for future ambition to effectively tackle the global challenge of climate change.
The meeting comprises the twenty-seventh session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 27), the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 17), and the fourth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA 4).
The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) will host a series of Blue Zone and Green Zone events this year. These events will showcase the changes the UN Global Compact and UN Global Compact Local Networks are driving by mobilizing businesses to assess environmental risks and opportunities, set and deliver ambitious climate targets, and adopt responsible practices to transition to a net-zero, resilient economy. You can learn more about these events on the UNGC’s COP27 Website, which will be continuously updated as and when events/details confirmed.
The UNGC’s 10th Annual High-Level Meeting of Caring for Climate will take place on Thursday, November 10. The meeting will bring together senior executives of business, industry, finance, civil society, the UN, and Government to act decisively to avert a climate catastrophe. The gathering is by invitation only to CEOs, and the UNGC will be able to provide a day pass for the Blue Zone for those who are invited.
All other UNGC Blue Zone events are open to all levels but will still require Blue Zone accreditation. Kindly note that the UNGC cannot assist interested participants in gaining Blue Zone accreditation. Events in the Green Zone are open to all levels and will not require special accreditation. However, in advance, company representatives must request Green Zone access on the COP27 Website.
United Nations Day, on 24 October, marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by most of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being.
There is no other global organization with the legitimacy, convening power and normative impact of the United Nations. No other global organization gives hope to so many people for a better world and can deliver the future we want. Today, the urgency for all countries to come together, to fulfil the promise of the nations united, has rarely been greater.
UN Day, celebrated every year, offers the opportunity to amplify our common agenda and reaffirm the purposes and principles of the UN Charter that have guided us for the past 77 years.
Secretary General's message 2022
The United Nations is the product of hope.
The hope — and resolve — following the Second World War to move beyond global conflict to global cooperation.
Today, our organization is being tested like never before.
But the United Nations was made for moments like this.
Now, more than ever, we need to bring to life the values and principles of the UN Charter in every corner of the world.
By giving peace a chance and ending conflicts that jeopardize lives, futures and global progress.
By working to end extreme poverty, reduce inequalities, and rescue the Sustainable Development Goals.
By safeguarding our planet, including by breaking our addiction to fossil fuels and kickstarting the renewable energy revolution.
And by finally balancing the scales of opportunity and freedom for women and girls and ensure human rights for all.
As we mark UN Day, let us renew our hope and conviction in what humanity can achieve when we work as one, in global solidarity.
At the start of the high-level opening week of the 77th Session of the General Assembly week, Chief Executives from UN Global Compact companies and representatives from Governments, the United Nations and development agencies gathered in New York during Uniting Business LIVE to align on an urgent and collective course of action to put the world back on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 as progress stalls for the second year in a row.
Uniting Business LIVE connects the high-level multi stakeholder dialogues of the Private Sector Forum, the grounded local knowledge and implementation strategies of the Global Impact Forum, and partnership and leadership examples of the SDG Business Forum, into one inclusive, impactful and innovative all access global event.
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, speaking during the three-day event, noted that the world and the Sustainable Development Goals are in trouble and called for the private sector to do more:
“We need the private sector to ramp up investments in the net-zero and climate-resilient transition of emerging economies. We need the private sector to support the full implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, providing the necessary financing, insurance, and logistical support. And we need to ensure that the trillions mobilized by the private sector lead to tangible progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. The Ten Principles of the Global Compact have never been more relevant. I urge and challenge you to bring the Global Compact to life through ambitious action across your companies, industries, and economies.”
Findings from the UN Global Compact 2022 Progress Report released during Uniting Business LIVE showed that companies across its networks are increasing their commitment to sustainability with 51 percent of respondents from the annual survey reporting that they were aligning their core business strategies with the SDGs. This is up from just 35 percent in 2019. The companies reported climate, fair labour practices, and gender equality as top priorities.
According to the report, corporate responsibility is also increasingly being developed by boards of directors and more companies are publicly disclosing sustainability progress and holding themselves accountable for their commitments. This is especially true on the environment, with an 11 percent increase in the reporting of emissions and strategic data.
Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General; Executive Director and CEO of UN Global Compact, spoke at the SDG Business Forum of her support for verifiable targets and called on companies to integrate sustainability throughout their operations:
“Achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will require that we all accelerate our efforts.
We need companies to build collaboration and knowledge sharing within their strategy and operations. We need to invest in a talent pool of changemakers who can leverage new technologies and business models to find sustainable solutions to stubborn problems. And it will require that you muster the wherewithal to implement the necessary solutions. Internal reviews and public sustainability reports are meaningless unless followed by concrete action.”
Ojiambo made her remarks following an announcement from the UN General Assembly in July which declared access to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a universal human right, paving the way for both businesses and governments to accelerate the implementation of their environmental and human rights commitments.
To spearhead this effort, the UN Global Compact announced the launch of a new Business and Human Rights Accelerator. This six-month programme is designed to help companies understand when, where and how they adversely impact human rights, while making clear how to prioritize the most salient issues for action. It was also announced that the Local Network USA has, in its first Climate Ambition Accelerator, guided twenty-nine of the largest U.S. companies through the science-based target methodology, helping them put in place an emissions reduction plan to achieve a net-zero footprint by 2050.
As part of the United Nations Global Compact Uniting Business Live, UN Global Compact Network USA hosted SDG Summit USA on September 20. This event brought together US companies who actively support the UN Secretary General's call to align their strategies and operations with universal principles and showcase actions that they are taking to increase ambition, innovation, and implement the SDGs into their core operations.
Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General; Executive Director and CEO, UN Global Compact, delivered the opening keynote. She emphasized the need for companies to integrate sustainability throughout their operations:
"Businesses have become increasingly more trusted on the global stage; therefore, expectations for companies to do more for society have increased. Businesses are seen and expected to take a positive leadership role in all elements. We have also seen a shift in how the private sector views sustainability and its role in securing a company's future. The UN Global Compact did a survey last year, showing that companies are becoming more interested in sustainability as one of the critical drivers for responsible business and strengthening their brand perception.”
After Ms. Sanda Ojiambo's introductory remarks, three panels focused on SDG Ambition, SDG Innovation, and SDG Implementation were held. The SDG Ambition panel, moderated by Sebastian Steinhaeuser, Chief Strategy Officer, SAP, discussed the importance of setting ambitious corporate targets aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. The panel on SDG Innovation, moderated by Richard Pearl, Senior Advisor, UN Global Compact Network USA, showcased actions American companies are taking to integrate the SDGs into their core operations and examined best practices in the innovation process. The final panel, moderated by Kristen Siemen, Chief Sustainability Officer, General Motors, concentrated on discussing how organizations can achieve tangible outcomes from their sustainability strategy. In addition, during this event, Network USA recognized its 2022 SDG Pioneer finalists, including Network USA's 2022 winner, Dianne Heiler, Senior Director of Packaging and Sustainability, Repligen.
The Summit closed with keynote speeches from Solitaire Townsend, Author and Co-Founder, Futerra, and Clinton Moloney, North American Sustainability Services & Strategy Lead, Accenture. Each spoke of the critical role the business community plays in forging a sustainable future and implored all in the room to consolidate around our shared values to accomplish the SDGs and create a more sustainable world.
For more information about 2022 SDG Summit USA, please contact Claudia Herbert Colfer.
The Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) is unveiling three important updates to accelerate the growth of corporate climate action. The initiative is:
In June 2022, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) announced its intention to incorporate as a formal institution, linked to but separate from its founding partners CDP, World Resources Institute (WRI), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the United Nations Global Compact, and its collaborator the We Mean Business Coalition. Today, September 5 2022, the SBTi can announce that at its August meeting, the SBTi’s Executive Board approved this incorporation, with further details and a timescale to follow.
The SBTi is also starting the search for its new Technical Council.
The Council will oversee the SBTi’s normative technical decision-making and act as an independent authority to provide expert assessment, including on target setting methods. It will be accountable to the SBTi’s Executive Board and will comprise highly qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise including greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting, climate mitigation, climate science and modeling, as well as social and environmental justice.
Applications for the Council will be open from Tuesday 6 September through Perret Laver, the executive search firm appointed to support this process.
In a further move to strengthen the SBTi framework through an open and participatory approach, the SBTi is asking stakeholders to respond to a survey to help shape important elements of its work. The survey will be open until 30 September 2022.
Chair of the SBTi’s Executive Board Lila Karbassi said:
“The Science Based Targets initiative’s Executive Board were delighted to approve plans for the SBTi’s incorporation and are excited about its future. I am impressed by the work Luiz Amaral, the SBTi leadership team and the whole initiative have done to lay the foundations for SBTi’s next phase and believe that the developments announced today go a long way into confirming the SBTi as the organization the world needs to drive the exponential growth of ambitious corporate climate action.”
Luiz Amaral, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the SBTi, said:
“Today marks another milestone in the SBTi’s evolution. Not only are we moving towards incorporation, which will enable us to work more effectively and agilely, but we’re unveiling plans for our Technical Council and inviting more people to have their say in the future of our work.
“The Technical Council will be pivotal to the SBTi’s work – and our success – so we’re looking for the very best of the best to serve on it. If you have the skills and experience wherever you are in the world, I urge you to apply.”
Other changes to the SBTi announced in June include the appointment of a Chief Impact Officer and a Compliance Director and the expansion of the SBTi Executive Board. Updates on these, along with further information about the incorporation and Technical Council, will be given in the coming months.
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With an unprecedented need for urgent action, the world is facing several crises profoundly affecting our ability to rapidly address climate change and global goals. The role of ocean industries has never been more critical to delivering solutions for the world we want.
The Annual High-Level Meeting on Oceans will be held on September 20 in NYC and will discuss important topics related to ocean. These include, but are not limited to:
This event is by invitation only. For enquiries, please email sofya@oceanstewardshipcoalition.org
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The Nomi Network Corporate Summit will be held on October 18th from 10:00am-4:00pm at The Star. Participants will hear from investors, corporate leaders, philanthropists, and survivor advocates, as they discuss the convergence of workforce development & ESG and how they apply “S” metrics in their investments and corporations. Attendees will also gain insight on how to optimize ESG guidelines to strengthen workforce development, eliminate trafficking risks in supply chains, and advance the careers of women and girls from disadvantaged backgrounds. Further details on the event can be found here and tickets can be purchased here.
There will be a VIP networking lunch and continental breakfast provided. All proceeds will go towards Nomi Network training centers that provide safe employment pathways for economically marginalized women and girls!
Take Action on Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact this new foundational Academy course!
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the engine of private-sector growth in both developing and developed economies, yet they face unique challenges in integrating the sustainability strategies that are critical to long-term business success and resilience.
‘Future-proofing your small and medium-sized enterprise’ is an interactive, 60-minute e-learning course designed to help you break down those barriers and get you started on your sustainability journey.
This course consists of two short modules:
By completing this course, you will learn to:
Complete the two learning modules and fill in the survey to earn a certificate of completion to print or share on social media. You can do so here.
The UN Global Compact SDG Investment Forum explored the future of corporate finance and investment as a catalyst for growth, value creation and social impact
Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) from leading companies across Europe who make up the CFO Coalition for the SDGs joined Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the UN Global Compact, Sanda Ojiambo and other leaders from the United Nations, governments, civil society at the UN Global Compact SDG Investment Forum to share ideas and provide recommendations to help unlock private capital and create a market for mainstream SDG investments.
Speaking during the opening of the event, Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the UN Global Compact, noted the relevance of the discussions in the current global climate:
“Right now there are multiple crises buffeting our world. War, food shortages, energy shocks and inflation are causing havoc in nations both rich and poor [...] Instead of lurching from crisis to crisis, and from short-term fix to short-term fix, we will all benefit if we plan ahead and lay the foundations for a more resilient world [...] CFOs must take a leading role in setting and aligning sustainability and financial targets - not just for the good of their business, but for the good of our planet.”
Alberto De Paoli, CFO of Enel and Co-Chair of the CFO Coalition for the SDGs said:
“The leadership members of the Coalition are working together, and inside their companies, to promote further integration of the SDGs in corporate investment and finance. Understanding how corporates are acting to move towards sustainable businesses using the SDGs as a compass is key to defining ambitious pathways for all actors in the financial value chain.”
Marie Morice, Head of Sustainable Finance at the UN Global Compact said:
“CFOs have a crucial role to play in pushing the private sector towards more responsible and sustainable operations. Scaling and creating a global movement of CFOs through the CFO Coalition for the SDGs, both regionally and sectorally, will have a positive impact on the planet and society as well as on the bottom line.”
Nils Pedersen, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact France said:
“With new SDG-aligned opportunities and the rise of the sustainable investment market, estimated CFOs have a critical role to play in reshaping the future of corporate finance and investment as a catalyst to help achieve the SDGs.”
The UN estimates there is a $3 to $5 trillion annual financing gap for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With less than eight years to go, meeting the SDGs will require the sustained mobilization of large scale public and private resources. As stewards of trillions of dollars in corporate investments, CFOs are uniquely positioned to reshape the future of corporate finance by aligning corporate investments with the SDGs and linking corporate finance to relevant and credible SDG targets.
The conference featured a series of panel discussions and presentations from investment professionals, governments and Chief Financial Officers who discussed the central role of CFOs in accelerating an efficient transition; SDG aligned investments from macro-sectors including construction and real estate, telecom, media and technology, industrial goods, consumer products and energy and utilities; quantitative measures for ambitious change; the role of regulators including the EU Taxonomy on sustainable activities and the role of UN Agencies including the UN Capital Development Fund.
Speakers included: Alberto De Paoli, CFO, ENEL; Nils Pedersen, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Local Network, France; Jürgen Esser, CFO, Danone; Maria Carrasco, CFO, FCC Construccion; Géraldine Picaud, CFO, Holcim; Jill Klindt, CFO, Workiva; Fawaz Sabri, SDGs Financing Expert, UNDP Country Office, Afghanistan; Carole Ferrand, CFO, Capgemini;Maher Al-Haffar, CFO, Cemex; Miguel Viana, Sustainability and Investor Relations Director, EDP Group; Pedro Christ, CFO, Beontag; Lisa Remke, Deputy Coordinator, Sustainable Stock Exchange; Silvia Pavoni, Founding Editor, Sustainable Views, Financial Times; Emmanuel Buttin, Policy Officer, Sustainable Finance at the European Commission; Rahul Shosh, Managing Director, ESG Outreach and Research, Moody’s; Kjell S. Rakkenes, Executive Vice President, Sustainability, Society and Communications, Nortura; Xavier Michon, Deputy Executive Secretary UNCDF; Dena Assaf, UN Resident Coordinator, UAE and Karin Svensson, Financing for Development Coordinator, SIDA.
The event was hosted by business journalist and former CNN anchor, Maggie Lake.
The UN Global Compact will be launching an on demand Academy Session to learn more about the CFO Principles which support companies in the transition to sustainable development.
At the Sustainable Blue Economy Investment Forum in Cascais, Portugal, a special UN Ocean Conference event, more than 150 major companies have signaled their commitment to a healthy ocean by signing onto the UN Global Compact Sustainable Ocean Principles.
In addition to the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, the Sustainable Ocean Principles provide a framework for responsible business practices across ocean sectors and geographies. Companies signing on to the Sustainable Ocean Principles commit to assess their impact on the ocean and integrate ocean sustainability into their overall strategy.
The world depends on a healthy, productive and resilient ocean for food security, climate mitigation and economic livelihoods. Climate change, overfishing, pollution and unsustainable and inequitable development are damaging the health of our ocean and seas.
“Today’s commitment by 150 blue economy companies showcases the private sector’s willingness to support SDG 14. Healthy and productive oceans rely on all actors to do their part. I am encouraged by these companies and their commitment to integrate ocean health into their corporate strategies,” said Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the UN Global Compact.
Some of the largest blue economy companies, including Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Orsted and SAP SE, have joined the 150 signatories of the UN Global Compact Sustainable Ocean Principles. Signatories span 30 industries, 35 countries and six continents, with a combined market capitalization of 1 trillion euros.
Several large shipping liners are amongst the companies committing. Accounting for around 80% of the volume of international trade and nearly 3% of global emissions1, shipping is increasingly under the global spotlight. Signatories of the Sustainable Ocean Principles include many of the largest shipping companies, such as A.P. Moller - Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM and NYK Line. These companies hold an estimated combined market share of 50%.
Major offshore energy companies, including Engie, EDP, SSE Renewables and Iberdrola are also amongst the signatories. Scaling up renewables is a key priority for global climate action, but offshore wind still faces market barriers and challenges slotting into busy marine spaces facing ecosystem pressures. Leaders from the seafood industry, including Sanford Limited and Thai Union, have also committed to the Principles. The global seafood industry is increasingly taking sustainability more seriously and represents a vital source of healthy and potentially sustainable protein.
Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life below water) still has the lowest level of financial investment of any of the 17 SDGs2. There is a need for increased public, private and blended financing to foster a sustainable blue economy.
The UN Global Compact has also announced that five global stakeholders are developing a universal guidance for blue bonds—a commitment to provide the global market consistency and transparency in financing the sustainable blue economy. With "Bonds to Finance the Sustainable Blue Economy: a Practitioner's Guide”, the UN Global Compact, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Capital Markets Association (ICMA), UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) aim to provide market participants with clear criteria, practices and examples for issuances to advance the blue economy.
The full of list of signatories to the Sustainable Ocean Principles can be found here.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focus on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. We currently face significant barriers to achieving a sustainable future aligned with the SDGs, ranging from racial and gender inequality to war and human rights abuses. To deliver the SDGs, all stakeholders, including the private sector, need to work together to advance peace and human rights. US companies have demonstrated their commitment to advancing human dignity with a robust response to the invasion of Ukraine, the killing of George Floyd, the gendered and family impacts of the pandemic, and many other pressing issues. These commitments are meaningful and business relevant.
Join the UN Global Compact Network USA at this session where you will learn what American companies are doing to contribute to the SDGs through contributions to peace and human rights. New ways in which businesses can contribute to overcoming these pressing challenges and create a more just and prosperous world are also discussed.
UN Global Compact Network USA is pleased to share the remarks by Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Ambassador to the UN, at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit on June 1, 2022 below.
AS DELIVERED
Hi. My name is Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and I have the honor of serving as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
It’s my job to work with other Member States to advance human rights and democracy, tackle climate change and public health threats, address humanitarian crises and food insecurity, and, of course, prevent and end brutal conflicts, like Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.
These are weighty challenges. And they’re challenges we cannot solve alone. That’s exactly why I’m so pleased to be speaking with all of you today. Because I firmly believe that the business community has a central role to play in all of this work. And I know you do, too.
You are here today because you understand that ethical business practices matter just as much as profits. That companies have a responsibility to prioritize the economic, environmental, and social impacts of their operations. And you are here today because you are committed to eliminating child and forced labor. Full stop.
In that vein, I urge all of you to stand up to the horrors we’re seeing in Xinjiang – where individuals of primarily ethnic Uyghur or Muslim backgrounds are being subject to forced labor through government programs. Economic pressure exerted from businesses helps deter these atrocities – and supplements political pressure and activism.
That’s true in the context of conflict, too. So, I also urge you to follow the lead of so many U.S. companies who have taken concrete action in response to Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. Nike, Starbucks, and McDonald’s announced they would close stores in Russia. Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan Chase both said they would wind down business. And BP announced that it would sell its almost 20 percent stake in Rosneft, the Russian state-run oil company. You also now can’t get Netflix, or new Disney, or Warner Bros releases in Russia. And packages will be stuck there because FedEx and DHL also suspended services to the country. The list goes on. And the impact of these efforts is unquestionable.
And while you help us hold Moscow accountable, we also ask for your help in supporting the civilians who bear the burden of Moscow’s war. The United Nations has determined that nearly 16 million people need assistance due to the crisis. I met with some of these individuals during my recent travels to the region. Most were women and children. They long for peace; they long for a day when they can rebuild. But right now, they simply need food and other critical supplies. And the Global Compact has outlined in detail how businesses can help refugees and others affected by the crisis with financial assistance and in-kind donations.
I leave you with this: I believe wholeheartedly in your ability to bolster human rights and make change. Over 15,000 corporate signatures in the 160 countries are now part of the UN Global Compact. Your collective power is immense. Some of the United States’ largest and most influential companies are engaged in this initiative. And I encourage any organizations that have not yet signed the Compact to join now, because we need you. The intractable problems we face cannot come from governments alone. We need NGOs and civil society, we need academics and scholars, and we most certainly need the business community.
So let’s continue working together to implement and uphold our shared values and advance Sustainable Development Goals.
Thank you.
On March 21, 2022, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed a rule that would compel climate-related disclosure for publicly traded companies: The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors. The public has a legal right to provide input on proposed government actions and public comments play a meaningful role in the government rulemaking.
To encourage more public input, the public comment period for this proposed rule has been extended and is now open until June 17, 2022.
Broadly, the proposed rule is in line with the UNGC's Ten Principles supporting transparency of how companies meet their responsibility to the environment, and those impacted by environmental degradation and climate change.
UN Global Compact Network USA encourages all participants to submit a comment to the SEC. While comments may be for or against, Network USA has developed a supporting template letter in partnership with UN PRI that commenters are welcome to use. By law, all comments must be considered by the Commission, and sharing UN Global Compact's principles with the Commission can help support and improve this proposal.
A few details for those participants who are not familiar with the SEC comment process:
The deadline to submit comments is June 17, 2022 COB. Comments can be accepted after the deadline, but risk being considered later in the review process and having less bearing. The easiest way to submit a comment is via email with a PDF attached to rule-comments@sec.gov. The subject line of your message must include the File Number for the rule: “S7-10-22". Please cc Adam Roy Gordon and Claudia Herbert Colfer when submitting your comments.
Please do not hesitate to contact Adam Roy Gordon or Claudia Herbert Colfer with any questions and/or comments.
The Water Resilience Coalition, an industry-driven, CEO-led initiative that aims to put water stress at the top of corporate agendas and preserve the world’s freshwater resources, today announced its corporate sector-led 2030 strategy to increase global water resilience through collective action. By 2030, the strategy sets to achieve quantifiable positive water impact in 100 water-stressed basins, contributing to water security for 3 billion people. The plan also commits by 2030 to enable equitable access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for more than 300 million people.
The Water Resilience Coalition is part of the CEO Water Mandate, a partnership between the UN Global Compact and the Pacific Institute. The Coalition includes companies such as Ecolab, Microsoft, Starbucks, GSK, Danone, Gap Inc., and ABInBev, and partners such as WaterAid, water.org, UNICEF.
The Coalition’s 2030 strategy will be achieved through scalable collective action projects, which unite companies, NGOs and the public sector to act locally on water, leveraging member companies’ knowledge and unique capabilities, and developing innovative financing mechanisms. The strategy announced today calls for Coalition companies to rapidly scale collective action on water, initiating collective action in 100 basins by 2025 and fully scaling that work by 2030. Water Resilience Coalition member companies are currently engaged in 12 co-funded collective action water projects in 11 prioritized basins. These projects increase water resilience through investments in nature-based solutions, regenerative agriculture, wastewater recycling, water reuse and other resilient approaches.
As part of the strategy announced today, Water Resilience Coalition companies commit to achieve Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI), by 2050. Launched by the Coalition in 2020 as part of the UN Global Compact SDG Ambition, NPWI is a global framework for quantifying how companies ensure their contributions exceed their impacts on water stress in the same region. Achieving NPWI contributes to reducing water stress measured through water availability, water quality, and water accessibility.
More than 2 billion people currently live in water-stressed regions, more than 2.2 billion lack safe drinking water access and a 56 percent global water deficit is projected by 2030. According to the UN, we must quadruple the speed of action to achieve our global goals for water.
Speaking during the launch event, Sanda Ojiambo Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the UN Global Compact said:
“Both public and private actors have begun to recognize that solving global water challenges is not a solitary endeavor. This awareness has led to increased interest in undertaking coordinated, collective action. This Global Water Resilience collective action strategy is a crucial first step in ensuring we work together to achieve more sustainable water management.”
“With a growing critical mass of the corporate sector on board, the Water Resilience Coalition is poised to be a game changer for water action against the backdrop of climate change,” said Jason Morrison, President of the Pacific Institute and Head of the CEO Water Mandate.
The Water Resilience Coalition today also announced its goal to increase membership to 150 companies by 2030. The Coalition has nearly quadrupled its corporate membership since being founded by seven companies in 2020.
“Global water use, storage and distribution, including the lack of wastewater treatment, contributes 10% of global greenhouse gases. Industry can no longer ignore the vital link between water and climate,” said Christophe Beck, Chairman and CEO of Ecolab. “Water scarcity represents a potential risk to every business and clean, safe drinking water should be available to everyone on the planet. Prioritizing smart water management, water stewardship, and a commitment to collective action starts within our operations and extends through our extensive customer network. As founders and active members of the Water Resilience Coalition, we will continue to demonstrate that companies can accelerate their growth while prioritizing superior water stewardship and the health of people and the planet.”
Water Resilience Coalition member companies include 3M, ABInBev, Cargill, Diageo, Dow, Ecolab, Gap Inc., Kurita, Microsoft, PVH, Starbucks, Bayer, Braskem, The Coca-Cola Company, Colgate, Cummins, Danone, Dupont, GSK, HEINEKEN, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Levi Strauss & Co., MARS, Reckitt, Phosagro, and Woolworths.
Notes to Editors
About the Water Resilience Coalition
The Water Resilience Coalition is an industry-driven, CEO-led initiative of the United Nations Global Compact CEO Water Mandate that aims to elevate the long-term mounting crisis of global water stress to the top of the corporate agenda and to preserve the world’s freshwater resources through collective action in water-stressed basins and ambitious, quantifiable commitments. For more information visit our website at www.ceowatermandate.org/resilience.
About the United Nations Global Compact
As a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, the United Nations Global Compact is a call to companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Our ambition is to accelerate and scale the global collective impact of business by upholding the Ten Principles and delivering the Sustainable Development Goals through accountable companies and ecosystems that enable change. With more than 13,000 companies and 3,000 non-business signatories based in over 160 countries, and 69 Local Networks, the UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative — one Global Compact uniting business for a better world. For more information, follow @globalcompact on social media and visit our website at unglobalcompact.org.
About the CEO Water Mandate
The CEO Water Mandate is a partnership between the UN Global Compact and the Pacific Institute that mobilizes business leaders on water, sanitation, and the Sustainable Development Goals for corporate water stewardship. Mandate endorsers commit to continuous progress against six core elements (direct operations, supply chain and watershed management, collective action, public policy, community engagement and transparency) and in so doing understand and manage their own water risks. Established in 2007 and implemented in partnership with the Pacific Institute, the Mandate was created out of the acknowledgement that global water challenges create risk for a wide range of industry sectors, the public sector, local communities and ecosystems alike. For more information, follow @H2O_stewards on Twitter or visit ceowatermandate.org.
About the Pacific Institute
Founded in 1987, the Pacific Institute is a global water think tank that combines science-based thought leadership with active outreach to influence local, national, and international efforts in developing sustainable water policies. From working with Fortune 500 companies to disenfranchised communities, our mission is to create and advance solutions to the world’s most pressing water challenges. Since 2009, the Pacific Institute has also acted as co-secretariat for the UN Global Compact’s CEO Water Mandate, a global commitment platform that mobilizes a critical mass of business leaders to address global water challenges through corporate water stewardship. For more information, follow @PacificInstitut on Twitter and visit our website at www.pacinst.org.
A record number of companies are committing to and setting science-based climate targets, according to new research by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the global body enabling businesses to set emissions reduction targets in line with science.
The SBTi today launches its third annual assessment of the initiative’s impact since its launch in 2015. The 2021 Progress Report ‘Scaling Urgent Corporate Climate Action Worldwide’ reveals that the SBTi has entered a period of exponential growth with SBTi companies now representing over a third of global market capitalization, worth $38 trillion USD - up from 20% in 2020. (SBTi companies refers to companies with science-based targets approved by the SBTi and companies with commitments to set targets. Global market capitalization is the total dollar value of publicly-traded companies' outstanding stocks. Global market capitalization has been estimated based on the MSCI ACWI Index which equals to around $93.76 trillion as of February 2022. Market capitalization data of SBTi companies was retrieved from Bloomberg with the date of 31 December 2021 for which data could be retrieved [53% out of 2,253 companies]).
Dr Luiz Fernando do Amaral, CEO of the SBTi, said: “The world today is faced with many challenges – there’s the devastating Russian war in Ukraine, the ongoing pandemic and the increasingly urgent climate crisis. At this critical time, we cannot let ourselves be divided. In the face of these existential crises, the SBTi will continue to work with governments, companies and NGOs, through strong collaboration, healthy debate and scientific research to reinforce 1.5°C corporate climate action as the new normal.
“The science is clear – we are already experiencing the impacts of climate change, and continuing on the current trajectory equals catastrophe. This report shows that the value the SBTi brings to society is more needed now than ever before – we must continue to drive the exponential growth of science-based targets and make them ‘business as usual’ for companies and financial institutions worldwide.”
Legend: Annual cumulative number of companies with approved targets and commitments between 2015 – 2021.
As the first assessment of the SBTi’s progress since the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, the report’s findings evidence a growing wave of international momentum towards science-based targets. The necessity of this momentum is reflected in the latest UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) WGIII report, which concluded that peak global emissions along with rapid and urgent reductions is required before 2025 to keep global heating under 1.5°C.
In October 2021, the SBTi launched the Net-Zero Standard, the world’s first framework for corporate net-zero target setting in line with climate science. It includes the guidance, criteria, and recommendations companies need to set science-based net-zero targets consistent with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C. The Standard has accelerated the shift towards 1.5°C aligned targets as the new normal for corporates. The report indicates almost 80% of 587 new targets approved in 2021 were aligned with a 1.5°C trajectory. In April 2022, the initiative celebrated a round of new, net-zero approved targets with the total number of companies committed to the Standard surpassing 1,000. The SBTi’s ‘ambition update’ also announced that the global initiative will only accept target submissions aligned with 1.5°C from July 2022, driving companies to go further and faster with their emissions reductions.
Lila Karbassi, Chair of the SBTi board and Senior Programme Officer at the United Nations Global Compact, said: “The global economy must halve emissions before 2030 to reach the Paris goal of 1.5°C - and it is currently not on track to do so. This goal is reflected in the most recent IPCC report, which poses a clear message - we must implement rapid and urgent emissions reductions or face planetary catastrophe. The climate action we’re seeing from companies is grounds for optimism, but we must all go further and faster to close the emissions gap.”
Legend: Temperature alignment and growth of scope 1 and 2 targets between 2015 - 2021. (Scope 3 targets do not currently have a temperature classification and are therefore not included.)
The Progress Report indicates that a critical mass (>20%) of high-impact companies have now joined the SBTi globally (27%). While across key regions (Europe, North America, Latin America and Oceania) more than a quarter high-impact companies have committed to science-based targets. The Progress Report’s analysis is based on a sample set of high-impact companies. See the end of this release for more information about how this high impact sample was created.
Legend: High-impact companies’ commitments and approved targets per region as of 31 December 2021.
In addition, science-based targets have delivered the biggest emissions reductions to date with SBTi companies reducing emissions at an accelerating pace. The analysis shows that in 2020, SBTi companies have exceeded global trends and collectively achieved 12% scope 1 and 2 emissions reductions, compared to a 5% global emissions reduction due to COVID-19. These emissions reductions as a result of the pandemic were anomalous as by the end of 2021, emissions bounced back alongside the global economic recovery.
These numbers clearly show the appetite, and the potential, for companies to tackle the climate crisis via science-based targets – but the report shows more action is still required. A very high proportion of targets are from companies in Europe, North America and Japan, with relatively few elsewhere in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Sectorally, heavy-emitting industries continue to be under-represented.
The SBTi is launching its Progress Framework, a new project to provide a standardized mechanism to track organizations’ progress against science-based targets, in early 2023. This measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) framework will build on the SBTi annual Progress Reports to deliver increased transparency and accountability of companies’ progress against their science-based targets. Technical details will be released later this year.
The SBTi invites corporates to commit to the Net-Zero Standard- and set near- and long-term 1.5°C aligned targets - and make their critical contribution to limiting the worst impact of climate change.
The SBTi Progress Report 2021 can be accessed here. The Progress Report is released annually, previous reports can be accessed here.
HIGH-IMPACT SAMPLE METHODOLOGY
The high-impact sample has been created following these criteria:
For more information, including interviews and comment, contact:
Madeleine Lynch at madeleine.lynch@greenhouse.agency or +44 (0) 7446 054146
María Dolben at maria.dolben@greenhouse.agency or +44 (0) 7408 809839
Notes to editors
About the Science-Based Targets initiative
The Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a global body enabling businesses to set ambitious emissions reductions targets in line with the latest climate science. The SBTi’s goal is to accelerate companies across the world to support the global economy to halve emissions before 2030 and achieve net-zero before 2050.
The initiative is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and one of the We Mean Business Coalition commitments.
The SBTi defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting, offers resources and guidance to reduce barriers to adoption, and independently assesses and approves companies’ targets.
Website: www.sciencebasedtargets.org
Twitter: @sciencetargets
UN Global Compact Network USA is pleased to announce the winner and finalists of the 2022 SDG Pioneers initiative. SDG Pioneers recognizes business leaders who are doing an exceptional job in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the implementation of the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles on human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption. SDG Pioneers help advance one or more of the SDGs while also contributing to business success.
UN Global Compact Network USA is please to recognize Dianne Heiler, Senior Director of Packaging and Sustainability, Repligen as its 2022 SDG Pioneer. Dianne has worked diligently with her leadership team and cross-functional colleagues to embed relevant SDGs into Repligen's business processes. She played a critical role in starting the conversation around the UNGC’s Ten Principles and translating them into tangible examples that their executive leadership team could support and build on. She leveraged the UNGC's many resources, tools, and publications and she laid out a sensible yet ambitious path forward using the Ten Principles and 17 SDGs as a guide and helped to identify 7 core SDGs most relevant to Repligen. She is leading the effort to build Repligen's Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions inventory and identify areas for improvement through conversations with suppliers and service providers both up- and downstream their value chain.
Network USA would also like to recognize its inspiring SDG Pioneers finalists who have demonstrated their commitment to and leadership in advancing the SDGs in their respective companies. Each finalist has introduced new and innovative ideas to help drive its company sustainability journey forward.
Our 2022 SDG Pioneer was selected by an external review committee. We would like to recognize and thank our review committee for strongly supporting our work.
The UN Global Compact Academy is offering a 3-part series, delivered in collaboration with Shift and UN Human Rights (OHCHR), designed to deepen your understanding of human rights due diligence, and develop an actionable plan to identify, prevent, mitigate and account for your company’s human rights impacts.
When and where?
The Deep Dive series starts on 4 May 2022 and is available in English or Spanish. The series is divided into three sessions and will be available in three time zones for your convenience.
Please sign up for your preferred sessions below:
Academy Sessions (in English)
Academy Sessions (in Spanish)
Please note that this is a three-part series of workshops. The first session will focus on foundational content for the second and third sessions. Participants who attend all three sessions of this Deep Dive series will receive a certificate of completion.
Target audience?
The series is open to all companies participating in the UN Global Compact, with a focus on professionals within the company with roles and responsibilities related to human rights and sustainability.
How to prepare for these sessions?
To prepare for your participation in the Deep Dive Series, we encourage you to first complete the Academy e-learning course developed by the UN Global Compact and UN Human Rights (OHCHR) in collaboration with Shift: Business and Human Rights: How Companies Can Operationalize the UN Guiding Principles. Through four interactive, 30-minute modules, this course provides you with the foundational understanding and skills needed to get the most out of your participation in the Deep Dive Series.
Additional reminder:
The next Academy Changemaker session featuring Sir Mark Moody-Stuart is taking place next week on 21 April 2022 at 9.00AM (New York) / 2.00PM (London) and 22 April 2022 at 8:00AM (Bangkok) / 12:00PM (Melbourne) respectively.
Find the registration links below:
Academy Platform
Session 1 - Zoom
Session 2 - Zoom
Global Compact Network USA’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the selection of Jacqueline Grace as its inaugural Executive Director. In this new role, Grace will work closely with more than 700 companies and organizations across the United States that have pledged their commitment to the goals outlined in the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). She will lead initiatives to support their sustainability efforts and grow the size and impact of Network USA.
Grace’s appointment concludes a rigorous, national search led by a Search Committee comprised of Global Compact Network USA Board Directors in collaboration with Koya Partners, an executive search firm that specializes in partnering with mission-driven clients.
“Jacqueline’s vision, strategic leadership experience, relationship building skills and passion for our mission make her the ideal candidate to lead Global Compact Network USA at this exciting and pivotal moment,” said Chris Gray, Chair of the Global Compact Network USA Board of Directors. “She will be an ideal partner to our signatory companies and to the United Nations community as we work together to grow Network USA and advance the goals of the UN Global Compact.”
Grace brings more than two decades of corporate and non-profit leadership experience to the role, including work in the fields of environmental restoration, food justice, and female empowerment.
“There is no more important or exciting work to be done than to help build a global movement to advance environmental sustainability, institutional accountability, and human rights for all,” said Jacqueline Grace. “I am honored to serve as the inaugural Executive Director of Global Compact Network USA at this critical moment and I look forward to working with our talented team, the UNGC community, and companies across the United States to further the goals of the UN Global Compact.”
Grace joins United Nations Global Compact Network USA from Keep America Beautiful, where she most recently served as Chief Development Officer. At Keep America Beautiful, her portfolio included working with national and local affiliates, corporations, donors, and other constituents to build and enhance partnerships, launch strategic initiatives, and grow and diversify revenue streams.
Prior to joining Keep America Beautiful, Grace was Chief Development Officer at Wholesome Wave, a national nonprofit focused on affordable access to fruits and vegetables for people in need. Grace has also held senior leadership positions at Girl Scouts of the USA, Save the Children, and Relationships First, where she was the organization’s inaugural Executive Director.
Grace began her career in publishing at Simon & Schuster and held senior roles at Scholastic Inc., the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books and educational materials. Grace was also the founder and President of LifeTime Media, a book publishing and packaging company whose authors included Billie Jean King, Gary Kasparov, and Chaplain of the United States Senate, Barry C. Black.
Grace served on the board of Every Child a Reader and currently serves on the board of the Rye Arts Center.
Grace was educated at the University of Pennsylvania, where she played varsity basketball and rowed lightweight crew.
Launched in 2007, United Nations Global Compact Network USA is a nonprofit 501c3,independent, self-governed local network chapter of the United Nations Global Compact. As the primary point of contact for UN Global Compact signatories in the United States, Global Compact Network USA represents and supports all US businesses as well as subsidiaries of multinational companies.
The UN Global Compact has worked with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on a Business Guide to urgently respond to Ukraine’s humanitarian crisis. The Guide provides concrete action for businesses to support the Secretary-General’s three-month Flash Appeal for people in Ukraine, and a Regional Refugee Response Plan for the situation outside, under the leadership of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
Find the guide here.
In light of recent developments, the UN Global Compact has received an increased number of inquiries about how corporations can support relief efforts for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. At this time we direct you to the Ukraine Humanitarian Relief Fund.
Global Compact Network USA will share further opportunities for corporate donations to the UN as options become available.
Below is a Statement from UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
We are seeing Russian military operations inside the sovereign territory of Ukraine on a scale that Europe has not seen in decades.
Day after day, I have been clear that such unilateral measures conflict directly with the United Nations Charter.
The Charter is clear: “All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.”
The use of force by one country against another is the repudiation of the principles that every country has committed to uphold.
This applies to the present military offensive.
It is wrong.
It is against the Charter.
It is unacceptable.
But it is not irreversible.
I repeat my appeal from last night to President Putin:
Stop the military operation.
Bring the troops back to Russia.
We know the toll of war.
With deaths rising, we are seeing images of fear, anguish and terror in every corner of Ukraine.
People – everyday innocent people – always pay the highest price.
That is why the United Nations is scaling up our humanitarian operations in and around Ukraine.
Today I am announcing that we will immediately allocate $20 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to meet urgent needs.
We and our humanitarian partners are committed to staying and delivering, to support people in Ukraine in their time of need.
United Nations staff are working on both sides of the contact line, always guided by the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality, humanity and independence.
We are providing lifesaving humanitarian relief to people in need, regardless of who or where they are.
The protection of civilians must be priority number one.
International humanitarian and human rights law must be upheld.
The decisions of the coming days will shape our world and directly affect the lives of millions upon millions of people.
In line with the Charter, it’s not too late to save this generation from the scourge of war.
We need peace.
The Academy is the UN Global Compact’s digital learning platform providing business leaders and practitioners with actionable skills to help companies move further faster in implementing the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Through innovative learning experiences across key topics and languages, the Academy offers companies actionable insights and best practices relevant to your specific challenges and needs, regardless of corporate function or where you are on your sustainability journey. All employees of companies participating in UN Global Compact have unlimited access to the Academy.
The Academy has recently launched two e-courses on gender equality: How to Increase Gender Balance in Boardrooms and Gender Equality: How Business Can Accelerate the Pace of Change.
Completing the How to Increase Gender Balance in Boardrooms e-learning course will help participants learn:
Completing the Gender Equality: How Business Can Accelerate the Pace of Change e-learning course will help participants learn:
Explore more of the Academy here.
The 2022 UN Ocean Conference will be held in Lisbon, Portugal, from June 27 to July 1, 2022. The UN Global Compact is planning several events during the Conference to bring the strong voice of the business community to the proceedings, including the Innovathon Hackathon Youth Forum, where participants will innovate solutions around our 5 Tipping Points for a Healthy and Productive Ocean and a high-level meeting on Private Sector Driving Ocean Solutions.
In the lead-up to the Conference, the UN Global Compact aims to accelerate the pace of companies signing on the Sustainable Ocean Principle. The current list of signatories to date will be announced at the Conference to demonstrate how businesses are committing to take action for a healthy, productive ocean.
Additionally, the UN Global Compact, alongside partners at UN DESA, will be supporting private sector accreditation. Relevant stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions, the scientific community, the private sector and philanthropic organizations, can request special accreditation to participate as observers in the Conference. Information about accredited organizations is available here.
A final round of special accreditation for the 2022 UN Ocean Conference is now open, and organizations can apply using this platform until February 28, 2022. Kindly note that registration is a separate process, which will open in due course. Please also check the Frequently Asked Questions and the information flyer for additional information. Private sector organizations can reach out to unocean@unglobalcompact.org should any questions related to the Conference or accreditation arise.
Below is a letter from UN Global Compact's CEO & Executive Director, Sanda Ojiambo.
Dear Participants of the UN Global Compact,
As we enter the third year of the global coronavirus pandemic, we cannot help but recognize the changing world of work and the impact this has had – on businesses, to be certain, but also on society as a whole as we continue to navigate our way through the changing realities of the COVID crisis.
Yet we face these challenges with optimism, knowing there is opportunity in every crisis. The opportunity to take stock of our current global realities and begin to implement the changes we must make to steer ourselves, our organizations and our planet on a more sustainable course.
At the United Nations Global Compact, we continue to move forward – not just in spite of the global challenges we face, but because of them. And I am encouraged that our growing list of participating companies, sponsors and patrons – and their commitment to sustainability and our Ten Principles – remains stronger than ever.
The power of public-private partnerships
Throughout this pandemic we have seen the benefits of public-private partnerships. They have been instrumental in the provision of personal protective equipment, testing, humanitarian relief and vaccine production and distribution. Yet equity remains a huge challenge. The disparities in vaccine distribution between the Global North and the Global South are glaring and unconscionable. We cannot move towards a post-COVID world if we do not do so collectively, with full vaccine access and equity.
Grounded as we are in United Nations values and our Ten Principles, the Global Compact is in a unique position to support widespread recovery, working in partnership with businesses in every community and country.
Our new Africa and China strategies, for example, aim to unleash the potential of the world’s largest growth market and the global impact of the Chinese economy.
Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals
Leveraging the power of the private sector to engage responsibly and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is at the heart of our work. Businesses large and small have a key role to play in accelerating the ambitious actions we need to secure a future where people and planet can thrive.
As articulated in our 2021-23 strategy, our ambition is to accelerate and scale the global collective impact of business by upholding the Ten Principles and delivering the SDGs. To this end, we are focusing our efforts on solving the world’s most pressing challenges through seven focus areas where businesses have an outsized effect on outcomes: Anti-corruption, Climate Change, Human Rights, Labour and Decent Work, Gender Equality, SDG Integration, and Transformational Governance.
New engagement opportunities
Wherever our participating companies are on their sustainability journey, our new engagement opportunities will help them connect, learn, lead, communicate, moving them faster and farther in demonstrating progress on corporate sustainability.
This new UN Global Compact programmatic portfolio will be funded through a simpler, one tier Engagement Model giving all business participants access to the entire range of our programmes, including the Academy.
A majority of participants will not see any significant change in the level of their financial contributions. However, the very large companies with annual revenues of more than US$10 Billion that do will also receive enhanced value and stronger engagement opportunities across their countries of operations and their value chains. The revised financial contributions, which will become effective for existing business participants only in 2023, will help us to deliver on our mission and enable:
Looking ahead, we know that our foundation is sound. It is not the issues that stand between us and a sustainable planet; it is our agility. We must act on a scale and at a pace we have not tried before. But I am confident that the Global Compact is best suited to enable the private sector to do the right thing. We are, in my opinion, ahead of the curve – not only in terms of our steadily rising number of participating companies committed to sustainability, but in forging the kind of relationship that fosters two-way communication. We do not just guide our participating companies; we listen to them and support them.
Fortunately, there is growing recognition among investors and governments that there are enormous opportunities for businesses to play a critical role in the transition to a sustainable, climate-safe future. The private sector has a critical role to play in reshaping the future of corporate finance and investment as a catalyst to help achieve the SDGs by 2030 and halve carbon emissions by 2050.
Communicating on Progress
In an effort to add value and streamline sustainability reporting for all participating companies, the UN Global Compact is delighted to announce the launch of an enhanced Communication on Progress platform coming in 2023.
Our new Communication on Progress will help companies set goals and track their sustainability progress, validating the business case for aligning their business practices with the Ten Principles and the SDGs. This year, we are inviting 500 participating companies to join our Early Adopter programme giving them early access to the platform, tools and resources to support their transition.
Whether that means realigning investments with the SDGs, addressing climate adaptation, or broadening efforts to address social equity gaps, I am confident that, working together, we will not only be able to future proof the planet, but strengthen business resilience for decades to come.
Thank you for your continued participation in the UN Global Compact and strong support. Let’s keep moving forwards together, united in the business of a better world.
Sincerely,
Sanda Ojiambo
UN Global Compact Network USA welcomes our new Board Officers: Chris Gray, Head of ESG, Pfizer as Board Chair, Gayle Schueller, Chief Sustainability Officer, 3M as Board Vice Chair, and Joe Cahill, Chief Customer Officer, Project Management Institute as Board Treasurer.
About Chris Gray
Board Member since 2018
Chris Gray is head of environmental, social, and governance strategy and operations at Pfizer Inc. He is responsible for developing and implementing an enterprise-wide approach to enhance ESG performance metrics and outcomes, co-chairs the Sustainability Steering Committee, and leads efforts to embed the ESG discipline into Pfizer business strategies. He also leads external ESG engagement and efforts to align Pfizer’s Purpose and ESG strategy with the Sustainable Development Goals and works closely with governments and civil society on strategic initiatives to improve global health and development.
About Gayle Schueller
Board Member since 2020
Gayle Schueller is Chief Sustainability Officer at 3M. She started in 3M’s corporate laboratory as a product development engineer and has over 25 years of technical and business leadership experience. Her career spans a broad range of businesses from electronics to healthcare to consumer industries. She has led technical and business teams from around the world including Europe, Asia, Latin America and North America. Gayle’s previous assignments include vice president of New Platforms for Growth and Commercialization, directora general for 3M Mexico, and vice president of research and development and design for 3M’s Consumer and Office Business.
About Joe Cahill
Board Member since 2021
Joe Cahill is responsible for all of PMI's Global Customer Group. He oversees the Global Customer Engagement Team, the Global Customer Experience Team and PMI's eight geographic regions. Joe previously held the positions of COO, Interim CEO and SVP of Finance and Administration in his time with PMI.
Joe has over 20 years of senior leadership experience including digital transformation, strategic planning, enterprise system implementation and new business development. Across technology, manufacturing and energy sectors, he has effectively helped build companies and lead change in large organizations.
United Nations Member States have reaffirmed their support for the UN Global Compact’s mandate to engage the private sector in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals with a renewed resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly.
The resolution, under General Assembly agenda item 27 — Towards global partnerships: A principle-based approach to enhanced cooperation between the United Nations and all relevant partners — reiterates the mandate of the UN Global Compact, which is “to advance United Nations values and responsible business practices within the United Nations system and among the global business community.” UN Member States also welcomed “the commitment of the Secretary-General to continuing to retain the integrity and unique role of the United Nations Global Compact.”
The resolution is an expression of broad-based support by governments of the north and south for the work of the UN Global Compact. The General Assembly expressed support for the implementation of the UN Global Compact Strategy 2021-2023, including the Africa Strategy 2021-2023 and SME Strategy 2021-2023.
Furthermore, Member States referred to UN Global Compact flagship “Uniting Business Live” events that occurred in the margins of the General Assembly. These events include the annual United Nations Private Sector Forum, the Global Impact Forum, the Young SDG Innovators Summit, and the SDG Business Forum.
UN Member States recognized “the importance of the private sector, multi-stakeholder engagement, innovative partnerships and a conducive policy environment in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. They also recalled multilateralism as a necessity. In this context, the resolution supports the work of the UN Global Compact to “raise ambition and achieve stronger private sector engagement, accountability and partnerships, in support of a sustainable, resilient and inclusive recovery from COVID-19.”
UN Global Compact CEO & Executive Director Sanda Ojiambo commented: “We thank the UN Member States for reaffirming their strong support for the UN Global Compact. We will continue to expand our global reach by mobilizing businesses and engaging in strategic partnerships to accelerate progress towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.”
The progress of the UN Global Compact in engaging the private sector to implement responsible business practices and support UN goals will next be reviewed in 2024.
As part of the 2022 UN Global Compact SDG Pioneers program, UN Global Compact Network USA is searching for professionals to recognize who are committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Through their own company or by mobilizing other businesses, SDG Pioneers help advance one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals while also contributing to business success.
UN Global Compact Network USA will award the 2022 Global Compact Network USA SDG Pioneer at the local level. The selected individual will then have the opportunity to participate in the final search of global SDG Pioneers to be recognized during the 2022 UN General Assembly in September in New York.
You can apply or nominate someone here.
Leading international providers of sustainability standards and guidance have come together to create the Impact Management Platform, a collaboration to mainstream the practice of impact management. As a first product, the ‘Platform’, whose steering committee brings together a set of multilateral organizations, has launched a web tool that outlines the core actions of impact management and links to the resources to help organizations and investors implement them.
Over the past decade, there has been significant growth in demand for organizations to improve their impacts on people and the planet, and to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Core to making this possible is effective impact management. However, the growing number of initiatives supporting different aspects of impact management have been difficult for enterprises and investors to navigate. With the climate crisis and COVID-19 pandemic demonstrating the fundamental interdependencies between markets and sustainability issues, the urgency to build a coherent and complete system of principles, standards and guidance for how to improve sustainability impacts has never been greater.
Through the Platform, partnering organizations will work together to identify opportunities to consolidate existing sustainability resources, collectively address gaps, and coordinate with policymakers and regulators to support the mainstreaming of impact management. This effort represents the next phase of a global collaboration that, until now, was facilitated by the Impact Management Project (IMP), a five-year consensus-building forum designed to run until 2021. Earlier work included facilitating sustainability disclosure initiatives to agree a shared vision for corporate reporting to meet the needs of all stakeholders, and supporting the consolidation of the investor-focused disclosure initiatives into the IFRS Foundation and its new International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). The Platform, whose Steering Committee includes multilateral organizations that will also advise the ISSB, provides a complementary forum for the broader task of supporting practitioners to manage their sustainability impacts.
Partners planning to work together through the Platform include B Lab, Capitals Coalition, CDP, Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB), Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Global Steering Group for Impact Investment (GSG), International Finance Corporation (IFC), Impact-Weighted Accounts Initiative at Harvard Business School (IWAI), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), Value Reporting Foundation, Social Value International, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Environment Programme - Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), UN Global Compact (UNGC) and World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA).
A joint launch webinar at 10am EDT / 3pm GMT / 4pm CET on Tuesday 23 November will share the vision and future of the Platform with representatives of the Platform Partners. This will include a keynote dialogue with Mathias Cormann, Secretary General of the OECD, and Inger Andersen, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme. Click here to register for the event.
The Impact Management Platform website can be accessed at www.impactmanagementplatform.org
About the Impact Management Platform
The Impact Management Platform (‘Platform’) is a collaboration between leading providers of public good standards and guidance for managing sustainability impacts. Through the Platform, partnering organizations aspire to:
The Impact Management Platform website supports practitioners to manage their sustainability impacts – including the impacts of their investments – by clarifying the actions of impact management and explaining how standards and guidance can be used together to enable a complete impact management practice. The website can be accessed at https://impactmanagementplatform.org/
About the founding Partners
Partners planning to work together through the Platform include:
B Lab
Capitals Coalition
CDP
Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB)
Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN)
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)
Global Steering Group for Impact Investment (GSG)
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Impact-Weighted Accounts Initiative at Harvard Business School (IWAI)
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
Social Value International (SVI)
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)
UN Development Programme (UNDP)
UN Environment Programme - Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)
UN Global Compact (UNGC)
Value Reporting Foundation (VRF)
World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA)
Descriptions of all these organizations and their logos can be found here.
New project aims to expand and build upon the activities under the UN Global Compact project, Scaling up Anti-Corruption Collective Action within Global Compact Local Networks
The United Nations Global Compact announced the launch of a global project, Advancing Collective Action against Corruption through Global Compact Local Networks, to support Collective Action initiatives and to promote public-private cooperation in fighting corruption.
In signing up to the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, companies commit to “work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.” The UN Global Compact engages with businesses all over the world to develop policies and programs to address corruption and to realize a more transparent global economy.
Commenting on the launch of the project, Sanda Ojiambo, CEO & Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, noted:
“The challenge of combating corruption has become even more important as the pandemic has proven to be a test for governance, public trust and the rule of law. The private sector has a key role to play in supporting international anti-corruption efforts and implementing the UN Convention against Corruption.”
Advancing Collective Action against Corruption through UN Global Compact Local Networks aims to build and expand on current activities within the four-year UN Global Compact project, Scaling up Anti-Corruption Collective Action within UN Global Compact Local Networks, by (1) advancing the adoption of the Uniting against Corruption: A Playbook on Anti-Corruption Collective Action as a global resource, (2) enabling UN Global Compact Local Networks to initiate and facilitate local and regional Collective Action initiatives and (3) scaling the UN Global Compact's engagement in public-private policy dialogues to bring the private sector voice to the global anti-corruption agenda.
To this end, the project adopts a three-pronged approach:
Advancing Collective Action against Corruption through Global Compact Local Networks is supported under the Golden Stretch Funding Round of the Siemens Integrity Initiative.
The UN Global Compact organized its Business Ambition for Climate Action - Live from COP 26, a day-long virtual experience on 10 November 2021. The conference featured leading Chief Executives, corporate sustainability experts and business leaders, plus heads of UN agencies and civil society organizations, who came together to showcase concrete actions for a net-zero economy, to increase society’s resilience and highlight strategies to unlock climate finance.
UN Global Compact Network USA was pleased to contribute a session to this event highlighting US Corporate Climate Ambition, featuring high-level US government, civil society, and corporate speakers. A recording of the event can be found here.
Speakers included:
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and the United Nations Global Compact today announced that more than 1,000 companies are setting 1.5°C-aligned science-based targets as part of a global campaign to rapidly scale corporate climate ambition.
1,045 companies representing more than $23 trillion in market capitalization (more than the GDP of the United States) have responded to an urgent call to decarbonize at the pace and scale required to limit global warming to 1.5°C. The companies span 53 sectors in 60 countries and have more than 32 million employees.
The Status Report: Business Ambition for 1.5°C - Responding to the Climate Crisis published today reveals the impact of the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign, which was initiated by the UN Global Compact in 2019 and is led by the SBTi, the global body enabling businesses to set emissions reduction targets in line with science, in partnership with the We Mean Business Coalition and UN Global Compact. The Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign is a route for companies to join the UNFCCC Race to Zero campaign.
Within the corporate sector, 1.5°C-aligned targets are now the most common choice, representing 75 per cent of all submissions to the SBTi so far in 2021. In the urgency to halve emissions in the next eight years, the SBTi will only accept corporate 1.5°C-aligned targets from June 2022.
Sanda Ojiambo, CEO & Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, said: “Ahead of the UN Secretary-General's Climate Summit in 2019, we challenged corporate leaders to limit the worst impacts of climate change and make the 1.5°C goal the new normal for corporate action. Today, through the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign we have witnessed an unprecedented increase in corporate commitments to tackle the climate emergency. Leading companies must now build trust by setting credible and independently-validated emission reduction targets and report on their progress. Greenwashing and misleading commitments have no place on our path to net-zero.”
Alberto Carrillo Pineda, Co-Founder and Managing Director of the SBTi, said: “We have catapulted ambitious corporate climate action into the mainstream -- aligning with climate science is now business as usual for many companies worldwide. But the race to net-zero is a marathon and we’ve barely taken the first step. Climate science has made the urgency clear -- we are at ‘code red’ for humanity. In order to address the climate crisis, we must double-down our efforts, align with a 1.5°C future and accelerate deep and urgent decarbonization. We call on all companies worldwide to set science-based net-zero targets - including both short- and long-term goals. There is no time to lose.”
The accountability of corporate commitments is key to building trust and supporting the delivery of credible corporate targets. Once a company has submitted a commitment they must submit their targets to SBTi for validation within 24 months. They must also report their company-wide GHG emissions and progress against their targets on an annual basis.
One third of the companies have already completed validation of their near-term emission reduction targets. Over half of the companies have also committed to reach net-zero emissions across their value chain by no later than 2050. The SBTi will be able to validate the integrity of these targets through the SBTi Net Zero Standard launched on 28 October ahead of COP26.
When the top 100 highest emitting companies comply with their commitment over the following months, the collective emissions reductions by 2030 should exceed 262 million tonnes -- the equivalent of the annual emissions of Spain.
In addition to ensuring that companies align their emission reduction plans with science, there is an urgent need to ensure this transformation is a just and inclusive one. The UN Global Compact together with the International Labour Organization and the International Trade Union Confederation have today launched a Think Lab on Just Transition that will shape thought leadership for corporate action to support and engage in a just transition. As companies in all sectors work to halve global emissions by 2030, they will have to account for ensuring positive impacts on their employees and communities while preparing for net-zero, a resilient future and a more equal society.
Greening the Blue is a UN Environment Programme (UNEP) initiative to engage and support the UN System in the transition towards greater environmental sustainability in the management of its facilities and operations.
The initiative launched Report on Monday, November 8, 2021. The Report is the first to reveal impacts from COVID-19 on the UN system’s environmental footprint. It also expands reporting on the management functions identified in the Strategy for Sustainability Management in the United Nations 2020-2030, Phase I: Environmental Sustainability in the Area of Management. In alignment with the Strategy, the Report provides UN system-wide and entity-level data on environmental impact areas: greenhouse gas emissions, climate neutrality, waste, air pollution, water and wastewater, and biodiversity. As well as management functions: environmental governance, procurement, and human resources.
Don't miss the UN Global Compact’s Business Ambition for Climate Action - Live from COP 26, a day-long virtual experience on 10 November 2021. The conference will feature leading Chief Executives, corporate sustainability experts and business leaders, plus heads of UN agencies and civil society organizations, who will come together to showcase concrete actions for a net-zero economy, to increase society’s resilience and highlight strategies to unlock climate finance.
UN Global Compact Network USA is pleased to contribute a session to this event on US Corporate Climate Ambition. The session will be streamed on November 10 at 5:15 pm GMT/ 12:15 pm EST.
Speakers include:
In October 2021, UN Global Compact Network USA welcomed the 2nd cohort of its SDG Ambition accelerator. The cohort is comprised of 22 companies from a variety of sizes and industries. Over the course of 10 months, these companies will develop and implement innovative business strategies that significantly increase their positive impact on the SDGs. Participating companies will assess current performance, identify risk areas, discover new opportunities across business units and functions, and take ambitious business action towards achieving the SDGs.
The 22 companies that are participating in SDG Ambition in 2021-2022 are:
Each year, an estimated 2.78 million workers die from occupational accidents and work-related diseases while an additional 374 million workers suffer from non-fatal occupational accidents. This means 7,500 people die from unsafe and unhealthy working conditions every single day. Workplace-related deaths exceed the average annual deaths from road accidents (999,000), war (502,000), violence (563,000) and HIV/AIDS (312,000).
Safety and health in the workplace — otherwise known as occupational safety and health (OSH) — is the “discipline dealing with the prevention of work-related injuries and diseases, as well as the protection and promotion of the health of workers,” according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). Ultimately, occupational safety and health is the improvement of working conditions and working environments for workers to ensure their safety and health are maintained while working and provide compensation if a work-related injury occurs.
Unsafe and unhealthy working conditions often result from a combination of underlying causes, such as governance gaps, deficient legislative frameworks, insufficient knowledge and resources, unsustainable business practices, and the lack of a culture of prevention at national and workplace levels. Governments and enterprises have their respective roles to play to address OSH challenges.
Watch the video below to learn more and then explore the new brief, Nine Business Practices for Improving Safety and Health Through Supply Chains and Building a Culture of Prevention and Protection.
OSH is regulated at international, regional and national levels. Safety and health in the workplace does not just apply to typically dangerous jobs, such as working at height or with chemicals, but to all places of employment, including offices. Additionally, OSH laws and regulations also include the requirement of employers to adapt work and the workplace to the capabilities of the workers in light of their physical and mental health.
The burden of occupational mortality and morbidity is not equally distributed across the world, among industries and among the workforce. About two-thirds (65 per cent) of global work-related mortality is estimated to occur in Asia, followed by Africa (11.8 per cent), Europe (11.7 per cent), Americas (10.9 per cent) and Oceania (0.6 per cent). The rates of fatal occupational accidents per 100,000 workers also show stark regional differences, with rates in Africa and Asia 4 to 5 times higher than those in Europe.
Furthermore, manufacturing, construction, transportation and storage are the industries that experience the highest level of work-related accidents. In these highly hazardous sectors — as elsewhere — work-related injuries are not equally distributed among the workforce. The workers most exposed to work-related injuries are those in precarious employment (temporary, casual or part-time workers), workers in informal employment, those working in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and work performed by groups subject to discrimination and marginalization (such as migrant workers, young workers and racial and ethnic minorities).
Work-related injuries vary in scale and have multiple causes, but relate primarily to deficient national OSH systems, including the legislative framework and weak regulatory oversight, and the absence of a culture of safety and health at the national and workplace levels. When large-scale work disasters such as the Rana Plaza accident in April 2013 occur, they often reveal the absence of universal employment injury protection schemes, which leave victims and their dependents without any financial, medical or rehabilitation support.
As part of the corporate responsibility to protect and respect human rights outlined in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), entitlement to safe and healthy workplaces for workers should be reflected in the human rights due diligence approaches businesses conduct. While OSH hazards are intrinsic to all workplaces around the world, businesses need to pay particular attention to workplaces in countries with limited resources, weak legal frameworks, and inadequate enforcement and support functions.
The International Labour Organization and the United Nations Global Compact have identified nine business practices to improve safety and health through supply chains and create a culture of prevention and protection:
To learn more, click here to read the new brief from the ILO and the UN Global Compact, which focuses on the role that businesses can play in ensuring safe and healthy workplaces, especially when operating in countries with deficient national safety and health and employment injury protection schemes.
Robust OSH laws and policies and good business practices, combined with employment injury insurance schemes, contribute to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), amongst others.
Both employment injury insurance schemes and occupational safety and health are the primary drivers behind realizing decent work for all women and men under Goal 8. Target 8.8 of Goal 8 has made occupational safety and health a sustainable development priority. It calls for concerted action: “protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular, women migrants, and those in precarious employment”.
Employment injury insurance schemes are part of the social protection systems that should be implemented under target 1.3 of Goal 1 in order to create substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable by 2030. Also, effective and well-functioning employment injury insurance schemes help achieve universal health coverage and access to quality health care services, as reaffirmed under target 3.8 of Goal 3.
“How to Improve Safety and Health in Global Supply Chains” is a one-hour session featuring experts from the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the International Organization of Employers (IOE), H&M, Firmenich and DBL Group. Join this Academy session to learn what actions can be taken to improve the health and safety of workers in global supply chains, and how these actions can be used to promote more effective national OSH systems — ensuring that no one is left behind and all workers are able to enjoy decent working conditions.
The UN Global Compact Academy COVID-19 Special Series is a series of sessions featuring global leaders from business, Government, civil society and the UN discussing how business can respond to the challenges of the COVID-10 pandemic in the most sustainable way, including by focusing on protecting workers’ health and well-being.
The Academy E-learning Course Business and Human Rights: How Companies Can Operationalize the UN Guiding Principles helps businesses understand what human rights mean to business and how they can respect and support human rights in accordance with the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and the UNGPs. Through four interactive, 30-minute modules, the course guides businesses on taking action to identify, prevent, mitigate and account for their human rights impacts.
On September 20-22, 2021, the UN Global Compact hosted Uniting Business LIVE. Uniting Business LIVE connected high-level multi stakeholder dialogues of the Private Sector Forum, grounded local knowledge and implementation strategies in the Global Impact Forum, and partnership and leadership examples of the SDG Business Forum, into one inclusive, impactful and innovative all access global event.
Over the course of the three-day event, leading Chief Executives, Heads of State and Government, corporate sustainability experts and business leaders, plus heads of UN agencies and civil society organizations took stock of the state of the world, addressed gaps in progress, drove business ambition on the SDGs and highlighted cooperative and actionable solutions that are ready — today. These themes ran throughout multi-stakeholder panels, live General Assembly presentations and CEO interventions, and encouraged a global cross-sector dialogue through interactive breakout-sessions and exposition booths.
UN Global Compact Network USA contributed a session to Uniting Business LIVE on Value Creation Through Engaging Stakeholder on Sustainability. Speakers included:
The session focused on how proactive, measurable and issue-based engagement with stakeholders leads to shared-value creation and greater success in companies' sustainability strategies.
To explore the topic of value creation through stakeholder engagement in more depth, please refer to the report developed by UN Global Compact Network Netherlands, with the support of VNO-NCW. This document outlines how companies that actively involve their stakeholders in their organization are successful in implementing solutions to the societal challenges, as expressed by the SDGs. Political and social stakeholders are also expected to be more involved in the business. In this publication, UN Global Compact Network Netherlands provides a model and a practical questionnaire for companies to raise their stakeholder engagement to a higher level.
UN Global Compact Network USA is delighted to share the new UN LGBTIQ+ Standards Gap Analysis Tool, which was launched during day 2 of Uniting Business LIVE.
Building on the success of the UN Global Compact's WEPs Gender Gap Analysis Tool, the UN LGBTIQ+ Standards Gap Analysis Tool (or “LGBTIQ+ Tool” for short) guides companies in implementing the UN Standards of Conduct for Business to tackle discrimination against lesbian, gay, bi, trans, intersex and queer people in the workplace and beyond. The LGBTIQ+ Tool consists of a gap analysis methodology and questionnaire and is supported by a scoring system and recommendations on how to close gaps and strengthen policies, processes and methodologies to ensure LGBTIQ+ inclusivity. It’s free, user-friendly, open to all and strictly confidential.
The LGBTIQ+ Tool is a joint project developed by BSR, the Partnership for LGBTI Equality (PGLE), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the United Nations Global Compact and the World Economic Forum (WEF), with the generous support of Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
More information can be found here.
Dozens of Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), representing a combined $1.7 trillion in market capitalization, announced an initial commitment to collectively invest more than $500 billion towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—and launched with the UN Global Compact a coordinated campaign to recruit hundreds of companies to adopt similar strategies and commitments.
The announcement took place during a special UN Global Compact event—Uniting Business LIVE—at the start of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
A group of CFOs from 60 companies currently part of the UN Global Compact CFO Taskforce have committed to invest more than $500 billion over the next five years towards the SDGs as they work both collectively and within their organizations to promote further integration of the SDGs in corporate finance.
They also committed to link close to 50 percent of all corporate financing to sustainability performance, with plans to issue hundreds of billions in new sustainable finance instruments, including sustainability-linked bonds. These initial financial commitments are likely to increase further as the UN Global Compact CFO Taskforce seeks to recruit hundreds of UN Global Compact participating companies to radically scale up the amount of corporate investment aligned to sustainability goals and outcomes.
If successful, such a global movement of finance chiefs and their corporations could potentially mobilize trillions of investment dollars annually in support of the Sustainable Development Goals—in areas such as sustainable infrastructure; renewable energy; water; health; food and agriculture; gender; and decent work.
“With this commitment we set a necessary milestone on a journey which began in December 2019 when a small group of CFOs started working together towards a vision of boosting the integration of sustainability within business operations,” said Alberto De Paoli, CFO of Enel and Co-Chair of CFO Taskforce who spoke during the event. “Now, we aim to increase awareness even further and help create the necessary environment to attract more capital towards sustainable development.”
Scott Mather, CIO of U.S. Core Strategies at PIMCO and Co-Chair of the CFO Taskforce, said: “The demand for sustainable investment is growing among our clients and we are encouraged by the proactive stance that companies are taking to bring investment opportunities to the market. The CFOs in our Taskforce can already be credited with key developments in the market for sustainability-linked bonds and we expect their leadership to support growth in the sustainable debt market, potentially reaching between $10 to $20 trillion in the next five years.”
Sanda Ojiambo, CEO & Executive Director of the UN Global Compact said: “The impacts and risks presented by the pandemic reinforce the case to align more global finance in support of a more sustainable and inclusive world and to achieve the 2030 Agenda. With our efforts to recruit more participants from the UN Global Compact to our CFO Taskforce, we believe we can leverage trillions of dollars of corporate finance towards the Sustainable Development Goals.”
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact societies and economies, progress towards the SDGs is in danger of slowing – and even reversing with poverty expected to rise for the first time in more than twenty years. Even prior to the pandemic, the UN estimated that the world would need to spend between $3 trillion and $5 trillion annually to meet the SDGs by 2030. The pandemic has increased the so-called SDG Financing Gap, perhaps adding an additional $2 trillion annually, according to some estimates.
Globally, the World Bank estimates that companies spend close to US$ 17.5 trillion annually on general corporate investments, with half of this directed towards emerging markets. The goal of the UN Global Compact CFO Taskforce is to radically scale up the amount of corporate investment aligned to sustainability goals and outcomes, while at the same time creating a global mainstream market in new sustainable finance instruments, including SDG Bonds.
To drive the commitment of billions, and potentially trillions of corporate finance towards the SDGs, the UN Global Compact CFO Taskforce has created a comprehensive management and governance framework, The CFO Principles for Integrated SDG Investments and Finance.
In this framework, companies are encouraged to create their unique impact thesis and set their own KPIs and targets to track performance on the most relevant SDGs for their business. So far 71% of companies in the Taskforce have taken that step in support of the CFO Principles which covers SDG impact thesis and measurement; SDG strategy and investments; corporate SDG finance and SDG communications and reporting. Sixty-one percent of companies in the Taskforce publicly disclose their SDG KPIs and targets, while 59 percent integrate the SDGs in their investor communication, and 55% publish an integrated report.
New ‘Ocean Stewardship Coalition’ will scale up the global impact of ocean business to meet the urgency of climate crisis and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
With less than two months until COP 26, the United Nations Global Compact launched the Ocean Stewardship Coalition today to address the twin crises of biodiversity and climate change. Research suggests that ocean mitigation solutions could reduce the emissions gap by up a fifth on a 1.5° C pathway by 2050.
Prime Minister of Norway, Erna Solberg, joined Sanda Ojiambo, CEO & Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, UN officials, senior business executives, trade union heads and government leaders at Uniting Business LIVE on Monday to launch the Ocean Stewardship Coalition and, to discuss the role of the private sector in delivering on all 17 Sustainable Development Goals and a net-zero, resilient and equitable ocean economy.
Building on the findings of its new Blueprint for a Climate-Smart Ocean to Meet 1.5° C, also launched during the event, the UN Global Compact is calling for the following key actions ahead of COP 26:
Speakers also used the high-level meeting to call for Member States of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized UN agency, to be consistent with their position in the IMO and their commitments under the Paris Agreement. According to the UNFCCC High Level Climate Champions, shipping needs to urgently decarbonize by 2050 if we are to stay within 1.5° C. A new brief - Charting a 1.5 C Trajectory for Maritime Transport - also issued by the UN Global Compact highlights the need for the transition to zero emission shipping to be equitable, providing green job opportunities.
Sanda Ojiambo, CEO & Executive Director of the UN Global Compact said: “The ocean plays a critical role in climate change mitigation and adaptation and must be integral to COP 26 considerations in Glasgow in November. The Sustainable Ocean Principles, developed by the UN Global Compact, are a baseline for responsible business practices in the ocean. We hope more organizations will join us and commit to securing a healthy ocean and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 through our new Ocean Stewardship Coalition.”
Ambassador Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Ocean: “The challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss cannot be overcome unless the ocean is central to considerations. Also true is that strong global governance and coordination will be essential to realising the full potential of a sustainable ocean economy. The launch of the UN Global Compact Ocean Stewardship Coalition is timely - never has collaboration between multi-stakeholders been more vital.”
Gonzalo Munos, COP 26 High Level Climate Champion: “The ocean has been dramatically impacted by human activity while holding solutions to address both the climate and nature emergencies. The Ocean Stewardship Coalition is a critical global and cross-sector initiative to accelerate blue solutions and deliver on the targets of the Race to Zero and Race to Resilience campaigns.''
Stephen Cotton, UN Global Compact Board Member and General Secretary of the International Transport Workers’ Federation, said: “COP 26 needs to trigger ambitious action. Green shipping has to be decent shipping. A transition to zero emissions offers opportunities across the value chain for maritime and offshore workers. The new brief from the UN Global Compact outlines crucial steps, such as accounting for reskilling and health and safety standards, which must include a workers’ voice in decision-making to ensure secure, decent work as we transition our industry.”
Thomas Thune Anderson, Chairperson, Orsted and Lloyds Register: “The ocean hosts a wealth of solutions but this activity should not come at the expense of nature. A well-managed ocean is key to enabling ocean industries and users meet the Paris Agreement goals by scaling-up ocean mitigation and adaptation solutions. Future-looking ocean management requires cross-sectoral collaboration and knowledge-exchange more than ever. If done well, ocean management can also help stakeholders conserve and even enhance marine biodiversity. The Ocean Stewardship Coalition is well-positioned to drive innovation around future uses of the ocean.”
Remi Eriksen, CEO, DNV: "The Paris Agreement cannot be met without the ocean industries. The ocean offers vast opportunities for renewable energy as well as efficient transport solutions. Policymakers must ensure that policy supports technology development, testing, piloting, and scaling in order to activate markets and close the profitability gap of zero carbon solutions. All partners of the Ocean Stewardship Coalition must ensure that our oceans are part of the solution space when it comes to finding a pathway to a zero carbon future."
Henriette Hallberg Thygesen, EVP & CEO, Fleet & Strategic Brands, A.P. Moller - Maersk: ”Partnerships between governments, the private sector, multilateral institutions and civil society are essential to ensure a healthy ocean, marine biodiversity as well as strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change. The Ocean Stewardship Coalition enables a global governance that will empower the world to safeguard the future uses of the ocean and meet the urgency of the climate crises. With the right framework companies can lead, and when their entire workforces are engaged, the mindset, behavior and lifestyles can change”.
From Sanda Ojiambo, CEO & Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact
It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of John Gerard Ruggie on 16 September 2021 at the age of 76.
John Ruggie was known for his brilliant mind, but he was also a warm, thoughtful and genuine friend and colleague to so many of us at the United Nations Global Compact.
Together with former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Georg Kell, he played a pivotal role in the founding of the UN Global Compact in 2000, which over the past 21 years has grown to be the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative.
We will be forever grateful to him for his contributions to the development of our Ten Principles, which continue to be the DNA of the UN Global Compact initiative today.
John Ruggie’s contributions to the United Nations and the business and human rights landscape were plentiful and significant. He served as United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Strategic Planning from 1997–2001 and played a key role in drafting the Millennium Development Goals.
He subsequently served as the Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Business and Human Rights from 2005–2011 during which he authored the “Respect, Protect and Remedy” Framework and UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).
His impact on the business and human rights movement cannot be overstated. He was nothing short of a pillar and institution and the immaculate thought leadership he produced through the creation of the UNGPs will have lasting effects for decades to come.
At the time of his passing, John Ruggie was the Berthold Beitz Research Professor in Human Rights and International Affairs at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and an Affiliated Professor in International Legal Studies at Harvard Law School. He is survived by his wife and his son.
John Ruggie will be greatly missed by the UN Global Compact and its Local Networks around the world. We will carry on his legacy as we strive towards the future we want — and one he helped envision — while ensuring no one is left behind.
UN Global Compact Network USA is pleased to share the UN Secretary-General's most recent report, Our Common Agenda, launched to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the UN.
Our Common Agenda is the UN Secretary-General's vision on addressing the current and future challenges people face in the 21st Century. The pandemic illustrated the need for our world to enhance our response to such challenges in order to move towards a safer and greener future.
The report highlights the importance of protecting vulnerable groups through commitments to gender equality and leaving no-one behind; ensuring a more sustainable global economy, providing support for the poorest, and a fairer international trading system; committing to limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels, net zero carbon emissions by 2050, ending fossil fuel subsidies; and calls for a 'new agenda for peace' which involves more investment for peacebuilding, support for regional conflict prevention, and the reduction of strategic risks such as nuclear weapons and cyberwarfare. It also notes that the UN is due for an upgrade - with amore participatory and consultative approach.
Introduction to the course
The aim of this ILO Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) is to enhance understanding on the ways and means whereby multinational enterprises can contribute to the achievement of decent work for all (SDG 8) through their operations. Starting from the principles set forth by the ILO MNE Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social policy, the MOOC will gradually expose participants to the business and decent work nexus, ways in which companies can contribute to the different pillars of the decent work agenda, and the issue of partnership, coherence and synergies with other existing frameworks that promote responsible business practices.
Who attends this course?
The MOOC has been designed for a wide range of professionals from the public and private sectors (enterprises, governments, social partners and other relevant stakeholders), in particular CSR professionals; government officials dealing with MNEs and/or business and human rights; workers' and employers' organizations; civil society; and members of local UN Global Compact networks.
What?
The course will deep dive into the following topics:
Why should I join?
How?
The MOOC will be offered through the ITCILO eCampus over a period of 7 weeks from 6 September to 15 October 2021, for an estimated total of 34 learning hours.
The MOOC consists of three components:
You can access a preliminary schedule of the online training seminars here. This will allow you to organize already your work schedule. In case you cannot attend the life session, all online seminars will be recorded and made available on the eCampus.
Applications close on September 5, 2021 COB.
The UN Global Compact CEO Water Mandate has partnered with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the Pacific Institute, the Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA) and World Resources Institute (WRI), to launch the Water Resilience Assessment Framework (WRAF). The Framework is designed to inform and support decisions and actions among stakeholders to ensure both short- and long-term water system resilience.
“As climate change challenges the viability of traditional water sustainability metrics, the Water Resilience Assessment Framework focuses on water resilience, not only because water is vital for life, but also because water is critical in every aspect of the systems that enable and fuel our economies,” said Jason Morrison, President of the Pacific Institute and Head of the CEO Water Mandate. “This iterative method can be used with other water-management processes already in use to share an understanding of our progress to attain shared resiliency goals,” he explained.
According to the recently released report by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Climate (IPCC), continued climate change trends are projected to further intensify the global water cycle, including its variability and the severity of wet and dry events. Shocks and stresses, both predictable and unforeseen, affect the resilience of water systems and the stakeholders that rely on them.
"What happens when climate change breaks rules we've used to stay profitable, sustainable, and efficient? Resilience is about choosing which rules to keep and which ones to evolve--or drop,” said John Matthews, Executive Director of AGWA. “The Water Resilience Assessment Framework is designed to make resilience a predictable outcome in an unpredictable world. The WRAF identifies the steps and indicators that help us know what to worry about and when, and how to know if we're moving closer to or away from our goals.”
The Framework aims to facilitate a shared understanding of water system resilience and allow practitioners to develop common measurable goals and outcomes for stakeholder and resilience planning. The WRAF consists of four key steps: visualizing the system, developing a resilience strategy, testing the resilience strategy and evaluating.
The project was launched in 2019 with seed funding from BHP and additional support from the Swiss Development Corporation and other CEO Water Mandate endorsing companies. It builds on the benefits of common water accounting and other sustainability approaches, illuminating the connections among the dynamic hydrologic, economic, and social systems that make up a water system, and enabling effective, meaningful action for water security for all.
“BHP supports the WRAF to further our commitment to work for a water-secure world. The WRAF is a notable advance for our priorities of building transparency, collaboration and innovative practice in water stewardship,” said Jed Youngs, BHP Water Stewardship Practice Lead of BHP.
IWMI’s Director General, Mark Smith, stated “Water resilience is both art and science. We need to bring to bear technical and institutional capabilities that meet the social, technological, and innovation challenges of resilience. But we must also draw upon the art of partnership – to bring together local to global, as well as civil society and science, and public and private. The Water Resilience Assessment Framework promises a reference point of data and measurement to make this process more successful.”
To support its application by key audiences, the WRAF will further develop three key sector specific guidance documents focused on business, urban planners and basin authorities. These additional support materials will be launched in 2022.
About AGWA
AGWA’s vision is for effective climate change adaptation and mitigation practices to be mainstreamed and enabled within water resources management decision-making processes, policies, and implementation. The mission of AGWA is to provision tools, partnerships, guidance, and technical assistance to improve effective decision making, action, governance, and analytical processes in water resources management, focusing on climate adaptation and mitigation. For more information, visit www.alliance4water.org/.
About the BHP
BHP is a world-leading resources company. We extract and process minerals, oil and gas, with more than 80,000 employees and contractors, primarily in Australia and the Americas. Our purpose is to bring people and resources together to build a better world. We do this through our strategy: to have the best capabilities, best commodities and best assets, to create long-term value and high returns. We are among the world’s top producers of major commodities, including iron ore, metallurgical coal and copper.
About the CEO Water Mandate
The CEO Water Mandate is a United Nations Global Compact initiative that mobilizes business leaders on water, sanitation, and the Sustainable Development Goals for corporate water stewardship. Endorsers of the Mandate commit to continuous progress against six core elements (direct operations, supply chain and watershed management, collective action, public policy, community engagement and transparency) and in so doing understand and manage their own water risks. Established in 2007 and implemented in partnership with the Pacific Institute, the Mandate was created out of the acknowledgement that global water challenges create risk for a wide range of industry sectors, the public sector, local communities and ecosystems alike. For more information, follow @H2O_stewards on Twitter and visit our website at ceowatermandate.org.
About IWMI
The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is an international, research-for-development organization that works with governments, civil society, and the private sector to solve water problems in developing countries and scale up solutions. Through partnership, IWMI combines research on the sustainable use of water and land resources, knowledge services, and products with capacity strengthening, dialogue, and policy analysis to support implementation of water management solutions for agriculture, ecosystems, climate change, and inclusive economic growth. Headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka, IWMI is a CGIAR Research Center and leads the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). Find out more at www.iwmi.org.
About the Pacific Institute
The Pacific Institute envisions a world in which society, the economy, and the environment have the water they need to thrive now and in the future. In pursuit of this vision, the Institute creates and advances solutions to the world’s most pressing water challenges, such as unsustainable water management and use; climate change; environmental degradation; food, fiber, and energy production for a growing population; and lack of access to freshwater and sanitation. Since 1987, the Pacific Institute has cut across traditional areas of study and actively collaborated with a diverse set of stakeholders, including policymakers, scientists, corporate leaders, international organizations such as the United Nations, advocacy groups, and local communities. This interdisciplinary and nonpartisan approach helps bring diverse interests together to forge effective real-world solutions. Since 2007, the Pacific Institute has also acted as co-secretariat for the UN Global Compact CEO Water Mandate, a global commitment platform that mobilizes a critical mass of business leaders to address global water challenges through corporate water stewardship. More information about the Pacific Institute and our staff, directors, and funders can be found at www.pacinst.org.
About the United Nations Global Compact
As a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, the United Nations Global Compact is a call to companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Our ambition is to accelerate and scale the global collective impact of business by upholding the Ten Principles and delivering the Sustainable Development Goals through accountable companies and ecosystems that enable change. With more than 12,000 companies and 3,000 non-business signatories based in over 160 countries, and 69 Local Networks, the UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative — one Global Compact uniting business for a better world. For more information, follow @globalcompact on social media and visit our website at unglobalcompact.org.
About WRI
World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global research organization that spans more than 60 countries, with international offices in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States, regional offices in Ethiopia (for Africa) and the Netherlands (for Europe), and program offices in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Our more than 1,400 experts and staff turn big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. More information at www.wri.org.
The UN Global Compact and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights have jointly launched a new e-learning course on "Business and Human Rights: How Companies Can Operationalize the UN Guiding Principles" on the UN Global Compact Academy.
In this course, participants will learn about the key concepts of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), i.e. the global standard for business conduct in relation to human rights. Completing this course will also allow participants to understand what businesses are expected to do in order to respect human rights.
The course consists of four modules. The first module is already available and provides an introduction to the UNGPs. The following modules will launch in the next few months.
Companies play a crucial role in achieving Goal 8 on decent work and economic growth. By sourcing products from responsible suppliers, businesses can leverage their purchasing power to create positive impacts for workers in the global supply chain. The new UN Global Compact Academy e-learning course on Decent Work in Supply Chains covers best practices for sustainable procurement and provides guidance on engaging with suppliers around the topic of decent work. It introduces the UN Global Compact Decent Work Engagement Toolkit for Sustainable Procurement, which consists of a set of practical tools designed to support procurement teams and other relevant parties to embed decent work considerations into their decision making, to set KPIs and to meaningfully engage with suppliers.
By completing this session and related learning materials, you will learn to:
This course is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Chinese.
The 76th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 76) will open on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 and will close on Thursday, September 30, 2021. The first day of the high-level General Debate will be Tuesday, September 21, 2021. The UN Global Compact will host the following event during UNGA 76:
Uniting Business LIVE connects the high-level multi stakeholder dialogues of the Private Sector Forum, the grounded local knowledge and implementation strategies in the Global Impact Forum, and partnership and leadership examples of the SDG Business Forum, into one inclusive, impactful and innovative all access global event.
Over the course of the three days at the start of the high-level opening week of the next UN General Assembly session, leading Chief Executives, Heads of State and Government, corporate sustainability experts and business leaders, plus heads of UN agencies and civil society organizations will come together to take stock of the state of the world, address gaps in progress, drive business ambition on the SDGs and highlight cooperative and actionable solutions that are ready — today. These themes will run throughout multi-stakeholder panels, live General Assembly presentations and CEO interventions, and will encourage a global cross-sector dialogue through interactive breakout-sessions and exposition booths.
This year, the UN Global Compact will also be hosting LIVE panel sessions and keynotes from Local Network hubs around the world. The UNGC will break the digital “fourth wall” by streaming a mix of virtual and LIVE stages, and host both virtual and in person networking sessions in select areas. Join the United Nations Global Compact as we continue to Unite business for a better world.
Target Gender Equality is a gender equality accelerator program for participating companies of the UN Global Compact. Through facilitated performance analysis, capacity building workshops, peer-to-peer learning and multi-stakeholder dialogue at the country-level, Target Gender Equality will support companies engaged with the UN Global Compact in setting and reaching ambitious corporate targets for women’s representation and leadership, starting with the Board and Executive Management levels.
Companies participating in Target Gender Equality have the opportunity to deepen implementation of the Women’s Empowerment Principles and strengthen their contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 5.5, which calls for equal women representation, participation and leadership in business globally. Companies will be equipped with the latest data and research supporting the business case for gender equality and gain insights from UN partners and experts on how to accelerate progress on gender equality.
UN Global Compact Network USA will run the Target Gender Equality accelerator for the first time in 2021 and will welcome the following 15 companies to the program in August:
UN Global Compact Network USA welcomes our new Board Officers: Grady Crosby, VP Public Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer, Johnson Controls as Board Chair, and Daniella Foster, VP & Global Head, Public Affairs, Science and Sustainability, Consumer Health, Bayer as Board Secretary.
About Grady Crosby
Board Member since 2018
Grady Crosby is a senior executive driving public affairs and diversity strategies at Johnson Controls, where he has worked for the past 10 years. Johnson Controls makes buildings smarter through a full range of systems and digital solutions, making workspaces safer, more comfortable, more efficient, and, ultimately, more sustainable; it has been active in the UN Global Compact since 2004.
In his role as Vice President of Public Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer, Mr. Crosby develops government relations strategies and leads the company’s sustainability and community involvement initiatives, working to build and maintain partnerships that provide value and align with Johnson Controls’ brand. Mr. Crosby works closely with the HR and Global Procurement organizations to bring in diverse talent and identify opportunities to work with a globally diverse vendor base, and was named to the 2020 Top 50 Chief Diversity Officers by the National Diversity Council. Mr. Crosby also serves as President of the Johnson Controls Foundation, an organization set up to donate to select US-based organizations in the communities where Johnson Controls has a presence.
Mr. Crosby received his bachelor’s degree in political science and business administration from Howard University and his Juris Doctor degree from Wake Forest University School of Law.
About Daniella Foster
Board Member since 2018
Daniella Foster is the Global Vice President and Head of Public Affairs, Science and Sustainability for Bayer, Consumer Health. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing global public affairs and embedding sustainable growth into the fabric of the company’s business model and innovation, including strategy development, implementation and operational performance. This work focuses on empowering the transformation of everyday health for 100 million people in underserved communities around the world by 2030 through healthcare systems change, health literacy, access strategies and investments in accessible and sustainable products.
A policy innovator and social entrepreneur, she has spent her career focused on actionable innovation in the government, business and non-profit sectors. Foster has worked across sectors leading initiatives to develop new brands and categories, grow small businesses, connect entrepreneurs to global supply chains, develop youth job skills and accelerate innovation.
Previously, Foster was the Vice President of Global Corporate Responsibility at Hilton, where she created and implemented business strategies that positioned Hilton as the industry leader in sustainable travel and tourism, launching its 2030 Goals agenda and securing the top ranking on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Foster previously led global Corporate Affairs and Science Communications for the global health and wellbeing division and innovation hub of Mars, Incorporated. She also earned valuable public-sector experience at the U.S. Department of State, where she held roles of increasing responsibility and scope, including serving as Chief of Staff and Global Director establishing the Department's first public-private partnerships office and leading the social innovation agenda.
She is passionate about social entrepreneurship and serves as the Chairwoman of the Emergent Leaders Network, a non-profit she co-founded that provides scholarships and mentoring to community college students. Foster is a board member of the United Nations Global Compact Network USA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and serves as a Commissioner for the Global Business Coalition Education’s Youth Skills and Innovation Commission.
She holds an M.A. in Social and Public Policy from Georgetown University and a B.A. in Intercultural Communications and Business from Pepperdine University.
Global initiative to no longer accept ‘well below 2°C’ temperature targets
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the global body enabling businesses to set emissions reduction targets in line with climate science, is unveiling a new strategy to increase minimum ambition in corporate target setting from ‘well below 2°C’ to ‘1.5°C’ above pre-industrial levels.
The new strategy is being rolled out in response to increasing urgency for climate action and the success of science-based targets to date. The announcement comes ahead of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group I contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report, due to be released on 9 August.
Science-based target setting has evolved from a nascent concept in 2015 into a movement covering nearly 20% of the global economy. Recent data shows science-based targets are driving corporate decarbonization - between 2015 and 2020 companies with validated targets cut emissions by 25% compared with an increase of 3.4% in global energy and industrial emissions.
Lila Karbassi, SBTi Board Chair and Chief of Programmes at UN Global Compact, said: “The SBTi has become the de facto standard for businesses to set credible targets to address the climate crisis. However, to have a fighting chance of limiting warming to 1.5°C, we need to urgently scale-up and mainstream the adoption of 1.5°C-aligned targets. This strategy enables us to consistently provide businesses across the globe with the most robust target setting framework so that companies can confidently align with climate science.”
1.5°C-aligned targets are now the most common choice for businesses, representing 66% of all submissions to the SBTi in 2021. Overall, more than 600 companies from across the world have committed to the highest 1.5°C-aligned ambition through the SBTi’s Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign since it launched in June 2019 in response to the IPCC Special Report on 1.5°C. These companies represent $13 trillion in market capitalization, just less than the GDP of China.
Selwin Hart, Special Adviser and Assistant Secretary-General for Climate Action at the UN, said: “To keep the 1.5 degree goal of the Paris Agreement within reach, we need all hands on deck. Increasing the ambition level of the Science Based Targets initiative is a step in the right direction and provides much needed clarity to businesses on setting credible emissions reduction targets in line with this goal. By updating and strengthening its criteria, this initiative is helping companies set climate science aligned targets to help prevent the worst effects of the climate crisis on people across the world. I urge all companies that have yet to set goals to do so and back up their 1.5°C targets with clear and credible plans to achieve them.”
New SBTi strategy
The SBTi will focus on accelerating exponential growth in the adoption and implementation of 1.5°C aligned science-based targets, particularly from companies in high-emitting sectors and across G20 countries.
The new strategy includes the adoption of new governance and operational models to strengthen the SBTi’s technical authority while providing a more structured and agile project management approach to support efficient, effective and exponential growth. This will include a new and independent technical decision-making body that will help ensure the robustness of key technical decisions, including the selection of scenarios, target setting methods and the approval of new standards and revision of existing ones.
To spearhead the new strategy and operational model, Alberto Carrillo Pineda, a co-founder of the SBTi, has been appointed as Managing Director. He said: "COVID-19 and climate breakdown are the two biggest challenges facing life as we know it. We can't solve either without widespread global action. For COVID, it's vaccination of people. For the climate, it's decarbonization of our economies. We need every company to play their part, and set science-based 1.5°C-aligned emission reduction targets to help us halve global emissions in the next eight years.”
Well below 2°C scope 1 and 2 targets will be gradually phased out from the target validation framework for companies and financial institutions. Companies that had targets approved in 2020 or earlier will have until 2025 as per the current SBTi criteria to update their targets. Companies that have been approved after that date will need to review and update their targets at least every 5 years.
All companies and financial institutions that submit targets from 15 July 2022 will need to align to the new criteria.
Jan Jenisch, CEO at Holcim, said: “At Holcim, we take a rigorous and science-driven approach to sustainability to build progress for people and the planet. Working in partnership with SBTi, we have set ambitious climate targets to build a net zero and inclusive future. We fully support SBTi’s new strategy to increase the minimum ambition of businesses to 1.5°C. Together, we can accelerate our economy’s decarbonization, working with like-minded organizations to raise the bar for climate action.”
About the Science Based Targets initiative
The Science Based Targets initiative mobilizes companies to set science-based targets and boost their competitive advantage in the transition to a zero-carbon economy. It is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and one of the We Mean Business Coalition commitments. The initiative defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting, offers resources and guidance to reduce barriers to adoption, and independently assesses and approves companies’ targets.
www.sciencebasedtargets.org @sciencetargets
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SDG Ambition is an accelerator initiative that aims to challenge and support participating companies of the UN Global Compact in setting ambitious corporate targets and accelerating integration of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into core business management. SDG Ambition enables companies to move beyond incremental progress and step-up transformative change – unlocking business value, building business resilience, and enabling long-term growth.
The need for SDG Ambition today is clear. The world is not delivering progress towards the SDGs at the pace and scale needed. While it is still possible to shift the world towards a 1.5°C trajectory and achieve the SDGs by 2030, it will take urgent, scalable and multi-stakeholder action to dramatically accelerate progress. Companies must take a clear stand and demonstrate bold leadership to transform business models and economies so they become more just and inclusive – leaving no one behind.
Led by the UN Global Compact in partnership with SAP and Accenture, SDG Ambition will empower and equip participating companies of the UN Global Compact to develop and implement innovative business strategies that significantly increase their positive impact on the SDGs. Through the Global Compact Local Networks in 60+ countries, participating companies will assess current performance, identify risk areas, discover new opportunities across business units and functions and take ambitious business action towards achieving the SDGs.
Join the Network USA accelerator to be amongst the US cohort contributing to global SDG Ambition. There is no charge to join the Network USA accelerator if your company is a participant of the Network. The program will begin in October 2021 and continue until March 2022.
Apply on the main UN Global Compact website.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) lay out a clear vision for a sustainable future and shape a new era for business. Each year, the UN Global Compact celebrates a group of SDG Pioneers — business leaders who are doing an exceptional job to advance the Global Goals through the implementation of the UN Global Compact's Ten Principles on human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.
UN Global Compact Network USA wants to congratulate Sonay Aykan, Senior Associate Manager Global Sustainability at Colgate-Palmolive Co, for winning our local 2021 SDG Pioneer round and for being recognized globally as the 2021 SDG Pioneer for Sustainability Goal-Setting by the UN Global Compact.
We also want to congratulate our 2021 SDG Pioneer Finalists:
About Sonay Aykan
At Colgate-Palmolive Co. headquarters in New York City, Sonay Aykan draws upon his passion for wildlife and justice to help steer the multinational conglomerate’s sustainability efforts.
“I'm always impressed with what nature has to offer for us, and I believe in equity not only among humans, but actually all living beings around us,” he says.
For his work championing sustainability in the private sector, Aykan, who is originally from Turkey, was named the 2021 SDG Pioneer for Sustainability Goal-Setting by the UN Global Compact.
Colgate-Palmolive, guided by Aykan’s vision, has been working hard with its suppliers globally on three Sustainable Development Goals in particular - No. 9 on industry innovation and infrastructure, No. 12 on responsible consumption and production and No. 13 on climate action.
“The ideal outcome of this project will be to reduce our emissions from purchased goods and services by 30 per cent by 2025, and it will also contribute to reach our net zero carbon goal by 2040,” Aykan says.
Aykan led development of an assessment process that asked thousands of Colgate-Palmolive employees in more than 100 countries about sustainability and what ESG topics they saw as risks or opportunities, using the Sustainable Development Goals as its basis.
The project also engaged senior leadership in one-on-one interviews, asking which of the SDGs might pose risks or opportunities to their day-to-day operations.
“By doing so, we socialized the SDGs at every level of the company and collected significant data on how each SDG might impact our business,” he says.
Aykan also created a roadmap for expanded supply chain engagement to reduce the company’s Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and services in its supply chains to align with climate change mitigation and reduced water usage practices.
In 2020 he won funding to analyze both the monetary and non-monetary risks to Colgate-Palmolive that might occur under the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s climate action scenarios. The findings can be used in business decisions that help the company align its climate action decisions and policies.
He also has collaborated with scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, exploring innovative strategies to reduce the company’s plastic footprint in the oceans. One research project looked at e-trade, and another focused on reducing the amount of plastics used in toothbrushes, he said.
Colgate-Palmolive became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact in 2017, and is a member of its Climate & Health and its Water Security action platforms.
“I'm proud of the collective effort my colleagues and the suppliers are putting into this project,” he says. “I will be more proud if it helps create a more equitable world that we share with all the other living beings.”
