Corporate sustainability starts with a company’s value system and a principled approach to doing business. This means operating in ways that, at a minimum, meet fundamental responsibilities in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Responsible businesses enact the same values and principles wherever they have a presence, and know that good practices in one area do not offset harm in another. By incorporating the Global Compact principles into strategies, policies and procedures, and establishing a culture of integrity, companies are not only upholding their basic responsibilities to people and planet, but also setting the stage for long-term success.

 

The UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles are derived from: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

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Human Rights

Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and

Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.

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Labour

Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;

Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;

Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and

Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

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Environment

Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;

Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and

Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

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Anti-Corruption

Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.

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Labour

Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;

Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;

Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and

Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

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Environment

Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;

Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and

Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

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Anti-Corruption

Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.

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17 Goals, the SDG's, to Transform Our World

 

How You Can Get Involved

Responsible business and investment – rooted in universal principles – will be essential to achieving transformational change through the SDGs. For companies, successful implementation will strengthen the enabling environment for doing business and building markets around the world.

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There are links to important initiatives and resources of the UN Global Compact n the UN Global Cmpact website  – and in some instances links to other like-minded organizations – to guide companies and other stakeholders to action-oriented platforms and tools that support SDG implementation. It is important to note that in many instances a specific initiative or resource has relevancy to more than one SDG, reflecting the cross-cutting nature of today’s issues and challenges.

 

Overview of the SDGs:

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No Poverty

Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere

• Why business should support poverty eradication

• Human Rights Principles and Resources

• Poverty Footprint

• Private Sustainability Finance

• Framework for Social Enterprise and Impact Investing

• From our library

• Additional tools: SDG Compass

 

Zero Hunger

Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

• Why business should support food and agriculture

• Food and Agriculture Business Principles

• Zero Hunger Challenge

• From our library

• Additional Tools: SDG Compass

 

Good Health and Well-being

Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

• Every Woman Every Child

• GBCHealth

• From our library

• Additional Tools: SDG Compass

 

Quality Education

Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

• Why business should support education

• A Framework for Business Engagement in Education

• Children’s Rights and Business Principles

• Principles for Responsible Management Education

• From our library

• Additional Tools: SDG Compass

 

Gender Equality

Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

• Why business should support gender equality

• Women’s Empowerment Principles

• Every Woman Every Child

• Children’s Rights and Business Principles

• From our library

• Additional Tools: SDG Compass

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Clean Water and Sanitation

Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

• Why business should support water and sanitation

• CEO Water Mandate

• WWF Water Stewardship

• WaterAid

• From our library

• Additional Tools: SDG Compass

 

Affordable and Clean Energy

Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

• Sustainable Energy for All

• Caring for Climate

• From our library

• Additional Tools: SDG Compass

 

Decent Work and Economic Growth

Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

• Labour Rights Principles and Resources

• International Labour Organization (ILO)

• International Organisation of Employers (IOE)

• UNI Global Union

• A Framework for Business Engagement in Education

• From our library

• Additional Tools: SDG Compass

 

Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

• Global Compact's work with Industry Associations

• International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)

• Equator Principles

• Global Compact Cities Program

• UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment

• UNEP Finance Initiative

• From our library

• Additional Tools: SDG Compass

 

Reduced Inequalities

Goal 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries

• Why business should support social sustainability

• Human Rights Principles and Resources

• Women’s Empowerment Principles

• Indigenous Peoples’ Rights

• From our library

• Additional Tools: SDG Compass

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Sustainable Cities and Communities

Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

• Global Compact Cities Program

• From our library

• Additional Tools: SDG Compass

 

Responsible Consumption and Production

Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

• Why business should support supply chain sustainability

• Global Compact Management Model

• Global Reporting Initiative

• From our library

• Additional Tools: SDG Compass

 

Climate Action

Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

• Why business should support action on climate change

• Caring for Climate

• From our library

• Additional Tools: SDG Compass

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Life Below Water

Goal 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

• Global Compact Framework for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

• World Ocean Council

• From our library

• Additional Tools: SDG Compass

 

Life on Land

Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

• Global Compact Framework for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

• Forest Stewardship Council

• Rainforest Alliance

• From our library

• Additional Tools: SDG Compass

 

Peace and Justice Strong Institutions

Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

• Why business should support good governance

• Anti-Corruption Principle and Resources

• Peace

• Rule of Law

• Transparency International

• From our library

• Additional Tools: SDG Compass

 

Partnerships for the Goals

 

Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

• Why business should engage in partnerships

• UN-Business Action Hub

• Water Action Hub

• From our library

• Additional Tools: SDG Compass

 

 See www.unglobalcompact.org for more information.

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