Priority Issues & Activities

By taking proactive and strategic actions on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, in line with the principles of the UN Global Compact, business can contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive global economy. Funds raised by the Foundation are allocated to high impact activities carried out by the UN Global Compact that serve to promote awareness of the initiative, deepen engagement of companies and encourage partnership development.

Priority areas for action under the UN Global Compact framework for corporate responsibility include:

1. Implementation of universal principles: More companies need to engage more deeply on ESG issues through the UN Global Compact. This includes move from pilot programmes in select corporate departments to an integrated approach to implement all UN Global Compact principles throughout and beyond headquarters, into subsidiaries and the supply chain. Within companies, boards and other corporate governance entities are also called on to better integrate ESG issues into their deliberations and policymaking, as they have the ultimate responsibility for the long-term stewardship of the organization.

2. Comprehensive disclosure: More comprehensive and accurate disclosure is needed to make a strong link between ESG performance and long-term value. The UN Global Compact’s Communications on Progress (COP) framework was introduced for this purpose.

3. Climate change: The risks from climate change are intimately linked with issues at the core of the corporate responsibility movement: human rights, labour and good governance. Business must answer the call to create a future based on a low-carbon economy and make use of supply chains to diffuse clean technologies. Through the Caring for Climate and CEO Water Mandate initiatives, hundreds of UN Global Compact participants are developing, implementing and disclosing related policies and performance.

4. Collective action: Effective partnerships can make it possible to overcome dilemmas that are too difficult or complex for one organization or sector to address. The collective voice of business can lead to significant changes in expectations. Almost all UN entities work with business and civil society to address the Millennium Development Goals, as well as issues such as security and disaster relief. More and stronger collaboration is sought.

5. Global frameworks: The UN Global Compact is urging business to call for a comprehensive global agreement on climate change in Copenhagen at COP15. In the area of corruption, Global Compact CEOs have called on governments to effectively and robustly implement the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).