Frequently Asked Questions on Communicating Progress
1. What is the purpose of Communications on Progress?
2. What is the preferred method of communicating my company’s
progress?
3. What are the key elements of a COP?
4. Do I have to address all ten principles in my COP?
5. How do I submit my COP to the Global Compact?
6. Is there a limit on how large the COP file can be?
7. When is my COP due and what happens if I do not submit a COP?
8. Am I able to edit or delete past COPs?
9. Can I use the Global Compact logo in my COP?
10. My company is listed as non-communicating or inactive; how can
I change it?
11. What is a Notable COP and what are the requirements for my COP
to be chosen as a Notable?
12. Who do I contact if I have further questions?
1. What is the purpose of Communications
on Progress?
Communications on Progress (COP) is a report to inform your stakeholders about your company’s progress in implementing the Global Compact’s ten principles. The purpose of the COP is both to ensure and deepen the commitment of Global Compact participants and to safeguard the integrity of the initiative. In addition, the collection of COPs on the Global Compact website creates a rich repository of corporate practices that serves as a basis for learning and continuous performance improvement.
The Global Compact’s COP policy , which was first introduced in 2003, is the result of an extensive and global consultation process.
2. What is the preferred method of communicating my company’s progress?
Ideally, COPs should be integrated into a participant’s existing communication with stakeholders, such as an annual or sustainability report. However, in case a participant does not publish such reports, a COP can be a stand-alone report that is made available for stakeholders through other public communication channels (e.g. websites, newsletters, intranets, company notice boards, included with payroll, etc.). COPs should be issued in the company’s working language and, if the company determines a need, in additional languages.
Participants are asked to supply a URL link to their COP and to upload the COP itself (as a PDF, Powerpoint, or word document) to the Global Compact website in order to meet the COP submission requirement. For uploading instructions please see #5.
3. What are the key elements of a COP?
While there is no strict format for a COP, in order to be considered complete, it must contain:
- a statement of continued support for the Global Compact in the opening letter, statement or message from the company’s top executive;
- a description of practical actions that participants have taken to implement the Global Compact principles since their last COP (or since they joined the Global Compact); and
- a measurement of outcomes or expected outcomes using, as much as possible, indicators or metrics such as, for example, the Global Reporting Initiative Guidelines.
4. Do I have to address all ten principles in my COP?
Initially, some companies may choose to address fewer principles in their
first COP submissions. This flexibility is intended to allow companies with
limited resources to devote their time and energy to the principles that are the
most relevant to their strategy and operations. However, in the spirit of
continuous performance improvement, Global Compact participants are expected to
work towards the systematic implementation of ALL ten principles over time.
5. How do I submit my COP to the Global Compact?
Participants are asked to supply a URL link to their COP or annual sustainability report and to upload the (PDF, PPT, or Word) document to the Global Compact website in order to meet the COP submission requirement.
To Upload: From the home page click on “participant login” and enter your username and password to access your account. If you do not have your login and password please contact globalcompact@un.org and we will retrieve it. Once logged in you will be able to edit contact information. Click on “submissions,” enter all of the required data and click on Save.
For more detailed description of how to submit your COP, please download the Global Compact COP posting document.
6. Is there a limit on how large the COP file can be?
The uploaded file may not exceed 12MB.
7. When is my COP due and what happens if I do not submit a COP?
Initial COP submission - Company participants are required to submit a first COP within two years from the date of joining the Global Compact. Should a company fail to meet this initial submission deadline, they will be marked as non-communicating in the participant database of the Global Compact website. Further, should a company also miss the second COP deadline after an additional year, the company will be removed from the Global Compact database of active participants and listed as inactive on the Global Compact website.
Subsequent COP submissions - All subsequent COPs are due within one year following the previous COP submission. Should a company fail to meet this submission deadline they will be marked as non-communicating on the Global Compact website. Further, should a company fail to submit a COP within two years of their previous submission, the company will be removed from the Global Compact database of active participants and listed as inactive on the Global Compact website.
Grace period - A 45-90 day grace period between the COP due date and the status change (from active to non-communicating or from non-communicating to inactive) can be granted to those companies that contact the Global Compact Office and provide a reasonable explanation for the delay in communication (i.e. changes to reporting cycles, staffing and other challenges). Please click here in order to download a sample grace period request letter.
8. Am I able to edit or delete past COPs?
The creation of a library of COPs (past and present) helps stakeholders and companies chart the progress a company is making in implementing the Global Compact principles. Therefore COPs that are submitted to the Global Compact website cannot be edited or deleted.
9. Can I use the Global Compact logo in my COP?
The COP policy allows participants and other stakeholders to use the "We Support the Global Compact" logo in the context of activities promoting the Global Compact principles. Permission to use the logo must be sought in advance in writing (letter, fax or e-mail) from the Global Compact Office, United Nations, New York, NY 10017; globalcompact@un.org or Fax: +1-212-963-1207.
General guidelines on how the logo should be used in a COP:
- Paper-based (including pdf) COPs - the "We Support" logo can be used on the cover only if the entire document is considered to be a company’s COP. If the COP is instead integrated into a broader document, such as a financial or sustainability report, the logo should be used only on the indices and pages that directly address the implementation of the principles.
- Web-based COPs - the "We Support" logo can be used on web pages that directly address the implementation of the principles.
Note: Non-Communicating Companies may continue to use the "We Support the Global Compact" logo according to the guidelines found here . Inactive companies, however, may not use the logo.
10. My company is listed as non-communicating or inactive; how can I change it?
All that is necessary to return to active participant status is the submission of a COP.
11. What is a Notable COP and what are the requirements for my COP to be chosen as a Notable?
To provide further guidance to participants and other stakeholders in meeting the requirements and expectations of the COP policy, the Global Compact Office has created a Notable COP page on our website. COPs featured on this page have been chosen because they represent, in the opinion of the Global Compact Office, emerging best practices in communicating progress. In particular, these COPs include notable examples of one or all of the following:
- A statement of continued support for the Global Compact from the Chief Executive Officer, Chairperson or other senior executive.
- References, links or descriptions of policies, commitments, and systems the company has created in order to implement the Global Compact principles in its operations.
- A description of actions taken in implementing the principles and/or in furthering broader UN goals.
- Indicators that are used to determine success and/or failure in meeting the company’s corporate citizenship goals.
- Information about progress made and/or future plans with respect to ten Global Compact principles.
- A description of how the COP is being disseminated among the company’s stakeholders.
Note: The Global Compact Office expresses no opinion on the accuracy of the statements contained in the COPs. Consistent with the concept of the COP, such matters are for the participants’ own stakeholders to assess.
The inclusion of COPs in this group will be decided by the Global Compact Office (in consultation with Network Focal points, where available).
12. Who do I contact if I have further questions?
You can contact either your local network Focal Point (contact details available at the Local Networks pages) or Jeff Senne, Communication on Progress Manager, at senne@un.org.
(Last Update 28 June 2007)
