Reporting Your Progress - The CoP

The Application for the 2023 SDG Pioneer program closed May 3, 2023!

As part of the 2023 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.

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.

The UN Global Compact 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 1 October 2022 to be eligible for this opportunity.

The UN Global Compact 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 have the opportunity to participate in the final search of global SDG Pioneers to be recognized during the 2023 UN General Assembly in September in New York.

A enhanced reporting process

Reporting to stakeholders in a transparent and public manner is fundamental for companies committed to sustainability. Your company’s annual Communication on Progress (CoP) is a key component of your commitment to the UN Global Compact. It describes the progress your company has made on the Ten Principles and is a visible expression of your company's continued commitment to the UN Global Compact.

Since the founding of the UN Global Compact in 2000, the CoP has consisted of companies disclosing their progress through various formats, using various metrics. To streamline reporting on the Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals and support an evolving reporting marketplace, the UN Global Compact has launched a new CoP process, mandatory for all business signatories starting January 2023.

Notable changes

  • Transition from narrative report to questionnaire
  • Aligned with established reporting frameworks
  • Option to attach supplementary material, e.g., a corporate sustainability report
  • Introducing a Digital Signature System for submission of the statement of the Chief Executive Officer
  • Introducing a universal submission period (March through June)
  • Reducing the “non-communication period” from twelve to six months (July-December) - companies that fail to disclose by December 31 of each year will be delisted
  • Unified CoP regardless of company size, geography, or sector