Home / News & Events / Monthly Bulletin
1. UN Secretary-General Urges More Companies to Embrace Sustainability
2. Over 60 Projects Posted on New "Water Action Hub"
3. Consumer Demand for Climate Solutions Leads to Expansion of WindMade Label
4. Working Group Drives Efforts to Combat Corruption in Sports and Hospitality
5. Global Compact LEAD Symposium Establishes Investors as Drivers of Sustainability
6. Expert Group Fosters Responsible Business and Investment in High-Risk Areas
7. President of Lebanon Calls for Increased Action on Corporate Sustainability
8. Oxford Analytica and Global Compact to Collaborate on Corporate Sustainability Analysis
9. Local Network Update
10. Participant Status: New Signatories, COPs and Delistings
1. Participate in the Green Industry Platform
2. More Opportunities: Endorse the Women’s Empowerment Principles and more
1. Sustainable Energy for All: Industry-Focused Reports
2. Business and Human Rights Resource Compilation
1. Upcoming Webinars (December 2012)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
1. UN Secretary-General Urges More Companies to Embrace Sustainability
At a meeting of international business leaders (31 October, Seoul), UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for corporate sustainability to become a transformative force, addressing pressing global challenges in areas such as energy, water, climate, agriculture, social development and urbanization. The meeting, convened by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), focused on scaling up solutions for sustainability following the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development – Rio+20 earlier this year. More.
2. Over 60 Projects Posted on New "Water Action Hub"
Since its launch in August 2012, more than 60 projects have been posted on the CEO Water Mandate's "Water Action Hub" – surpassing internal expectations and reinforcing the need for an international platform to showcase water stewardship initiatives and "match-make" organizations on collective-action projects. The projects span virtually all continents and are being led by or involve a range of stakeholders. More.
3. Consumer Demand for Climate Solutions Leads to Expansion of WindMade Label
Supported by the Global Compact, WWF, GWEC and Vestas, WindMade announced (4 December) the development of a new consumer label for companies and products made using renewable energy. The new label was introduced during the COP18 climate negotiations in Doha and will recognize a wide variety of renewable energy sources offering added flexibility to companies that use multiple renewable energy technologies. More.
4. Working Group Drives Efforts to Combat Corruption in Sports and Hospitality
The Global Compact Sub-Working Group on Sport Sponsoring and Sport-Related Hospitality presented its efforts as part of the 15th International Anti-Corruption Conference 2012 (10 November, Brasilia), which was attended by more than 1,900 people from 140 countries. A division of the Global Compact’s Working Group on the 10th Principle Against Corruption, the Sub-Working Group is currently developing guidelines to enhance transparency and accountability in the sponsorship and hospitality of major athletic events and organizations. More.
5. Global Compact LEAD Symposium Establishes Investors as Drivers of Sustainability
The heads of major global reporting initiatives and senior corporate executives discussed the future alignment of sustainability communications with other mainstream channels of communication to investors during a special symposium convened by Global Compact LEAD (27 November, New York). The 3rd LEAD Symposium reflects one of the most important drivers of change – the increasing analysis by investors to integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into the investment process. More.
6. Expert Group Fosters Responsible Business and Investment in High-Risk Areas
Over 60 company, investor, academic and expert participants convened for a meeting of the Expert Group on Responsible Business and Investment in Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (27 November, London) organized by the Global Compact and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). Participants discussed a range of topics, including the post-2015 development agenda, lessons learned at the conclusion of a two-year pilot project to operationalize the Guidance on Responsible Business in Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas, and other topics related to the challenges of operating and investing responsibly in fragile contexts. More.
7. President of Lebanon Calls for Increased Action on Corporate Sustainability
H.E. Michel Suleiman, President of Lebanon, made a strong call to increase awareness of corporate sustainability practices among companies and higher education institutions across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and globally. His remarks were presented to participants of the 2nd Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) Regional Meeting (8 November, Jedioioh), attended by more than 1,000 participants including business and management school faculty members, business and government leaders, and business students. More.
8. Oxford Analytica and Global Compact to Collaborate on Corporate Sustainability Analysis
Oxford Analytica and the Global Compact have agreed (12 December) to partner on integrating the macro and corporate dimensions of sustainability, in an effort to assist Global Compact participants and stakeholders in meeting the global sustainability challenge. Through this new partnership, Oxford Analytica will act as a key information supplier for the Global Compact, providing analysis and thought leadership on the linkages between global economic, social and political trends and their impact on business. More.
9. Local Network Update
10. Participant Status: New Signatories, COPs and Delistings
In November, 127 companies and 28 non-business stakeholders joined the Global Compact. 96 companies were expelled for failing to communicate on progress. The largest companies (by employee number) to join during the month were: South African Airways (South Africa), Maroc Telecom (Morocco), Grupo Visabeira, SGPS, S.A. (Portugal), Chiyoda Corporation (Japan), First Myanmar Investment Co., Ltd. (Myanmar), Serge Pun & Associates Limited (Myanmar), StarHub Limited (Singapore), CCA International (France), LG Household and Health Care, Ltd. (Korea) and NRS International Group FZCO (United Arab Emirates).
Total figures as of 30 November:
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
1. Participate in the Green Industry Platform
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Compact are leading a voluntary initiative – the Green Industry Platform – which aims to provide a framework where businesses, governments and civil society can work together to deliver a greener model of industrial production and to help existing industries integrate social and environmental considerations into their operations.
Read a letter inviting your organization’s participation. To confirm the interest of your organization, please send the Statement of Support signed by your Chief Executive Officer, or equivalent, to info@greenindustryplatform.org.
2. More Opportunities: Endorse the Women’s Empowerment Principles and more
Many of the engagement opportunities announced in past issues of the Bulletin are still active. View the full list of Engagement Opportunities.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
1. Sustainable Energy for All: Industry-Focused Reports: Describe business action across 19 industry sectors and highlight how businesses can create value by supporting the UN Secretary-General’s Sustainable Energy for All initiative, which aims to expand energy access worldwide, improve energy efficiency and increase the share of renewables. Developed in partnership with Accenture. Access the reports.
2. Business and Human Rights Resource Compilation: Outlines a selection of key business and human rights guidance materials and how they can be used. Download.
Please visit the Tools and Resources webpage to access all material issued by the Global Compact.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
1. Upcoming Webinars (December 2012) – OPEN INVITATION
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Event Calendar
December
Business Action against Corruption and the Post 2015 Development Agenda (10 Dec, New York)
11th Meeting of the Working Group on the 10th Principle against Corruption (10-11 Dec, New York)
Welcome to the UN Global Compact - Guidance for Business Participants (11 Dec, webinar)
Reaching “GC Active” Level (12 Dec, webinar)
Achieving “GC Advanced” Level (13 Dec, webinar)
2013
February
Business and Women’s Health (7 Feb, webinar)
March
The 5th Annual Women's Empowerment Principles: Equality Means Business Event (5-6 Mar, New York)
June
2nd PRME Latin America Regional Meeting (11-13 Jun, Lima)
September
UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2013 (19-20 Sep, New York)
2013 PRME Summit (25-27 Sep, Bled)
Please visit the Event Calendar on our website to learn more about the listed events.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Follow the UN Global Compact on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Follow the WEPs on Facebook and Twitter.
Follow PRME on Facebook and Twitter.
Follow PRI on Twitter and subscribe to its public newsletter.
