Launching New Resources for a New Era

Assessments, Principles, Tools & Guidance, Best Practices

At the Leaders Summit, a wide range of new resources and thinking will be launched. Highlights include: the world's largest study on CEO views on corporate responsibility today and in the future; a new "Blueprint for Corporate Sustainability Leadership"; sets of principles to guide commitment around women's empowerment and social investment; tools and guidance for all of the Global Compact principle areas, as well as key topics such as supply chain and doing business in conflict-affected areas; and best practices in a range of areas to serve as inspiration for increased action.

ASSESSMENTS

Taking stock of progress made and key trends related to corporate sustainability and development

UN Global Compact Annual Review – Anniversary Edition
Takes stock of the efforts undertaken by business participants and other key stakeholders to advance the ten principles and development, as well as peace, responsible investment, business education and broader UN-business collaboration. Findings from the annual Global Compact Implementation Survey, completed by over 1,000 companies from 100 countries, are featured throughout. Special focus is given to the 10th anniversary of the Global Compact. (UNGC)

A New Era of Sustainability: UN Global Compact-Accenture CEO Study 2010
Provides an overview of CEO perspectives on progress to date, challenges ahead and the journey towards a sustainable economy. The report is based on an extensive study of nearly 1,000 Global Compact CEOs. (UNGC/Accenture)

United Nations Global Compact Local Network Report 2010
Takes stock of the work of approximately 90 Local Networks around the world, featuring statistics and case examples on network governance, activities, issues and communications. (UNGC)

Role of Governments in Promoting Corporate Responsibility and Private Sector Engagement in Development
Reports on trends and policy options regarding the role of Governments in promoting corporate sustainability and engaging the private sector in achieving the MDGs. (UNGC/Bertelsmann Foundation)

A Greener Tomorrow – How Caring for Climate Signatories are Leading the Way to a Low Carbon Economy
Analyses progress made by signatories in addressing climate change and assesses public disclosures of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The report will outline corporate leadership in climate mitigation and adaptation. (UNGC/Dalberg)

Moving Upwards: The Involvement of Boards of Directors in the UN Global Compact
Advances understanding of Boardroom engagement in environmental, social and governance issues and provides a roadmap for how companies can better integrate oversight of these issues into the Board agenda. (UNGC)

Coming of Age: UN-Business Collaboration Since 2000
Reviews the evolution of the first decade of UN-business cooperation, looking at cases and achievements.(UNGC/GPPi)

Innovating for a Brighter Future: The Role of Business in Achieving the MDGs
Assesses the contribution that the private sector has made to UN development goals, including progress made since 2000. The report identifies the most significant and scalable trends. (UNGC/Dalberg)

PRINCIPLES

Sets of principles meant to inspire greater commitment on key dimensions of corporate sustainability

Women's Empowerment Principles – Equality Means Business
A set of principles for business, offering guidance on how to empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community. (UNGC/UNIFEM)

Principles for Social Investment (PSI)
A set of voluntary principles to guide the ongoing practice of social investment by organizations, seeking to increase the impact and scalability of such contributions. (UNGC/St. James Ethics Centre/CECP)

TOOLS & GUIDANCE

Materials that offer practical guidance on how to implement elements of corporate sustainability

Blueprint for Corporate Sustainability Leadership within the Global Compact
A new model of leadership within the Global Compact, designed to inspire advanced performers to reach the next level of sustainability performance. Identifies leadership criteria linked to implementation of principles, efforts to support development objectives and engagement in the Global Compact. (UNGC)

UN Global Compact Management Model
An updated performance model that guides companies through the process of formally committing to, assessing, defining, implementing, measuring, and communicating a corporate sustainability strategy based on the Global Compact and its principles. (UNGC/Deloitte)

A Global Compact for Development
Emphasizes the second objective of the Global Compact by articulating how companies can support development objectives through their core business; strategic social investments; advocacy; partnerships and collective action. Available Global Compact platforms for business to support development goals are identified and examples of how companies are already contributing to this agenda are showcased. (UNGC)

Guide on Responsible Business in Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas: A Resource for Companies and Investors
Provides general principles to assist companies and investors in their efforts to make a positive contribution to sustainable peace and development in conflict-affected countries. (UNGC/PRI)

Supply Chain Sustainability: A Practical Guide for Continuous Improvement
Presents practical steps for how Global Compact signatories can implement the ten principles throughout their supply chains and integrate sustainability into procurement strategies. Includes examples of good corporate practices. (UNGC/BSR)

Sustainable Supply Chains: Resources and Practices
Provides information on initiatives, resources and tools to assist companies in developing more sustainable supply chains, as well as case examples of good business practices. (UNGC/BSR)

Lawyers as Leaders: The Essential Role of Legal Counsel in Corporate Sustainability Agenda
An online video — divided into four modules on the four main issue areas of the Global Compact — to develop awareness of lawyers on minimizing risk and advising on legal issues associated with corporate sustainability. (UNGC/International Bar Association)

An Introduction to Linkages between UN Global Compact Principles and ISO 26000 Core Subjects
Provides a high-level overview of the key linkages between the UN Global Compact’s ten principles and the core subjects of social responsibility defined by ISO 26000. (UNGC)

The Global Compact Self Assessment Tool
Translates the basic expectations raised by the Global Compact principles into a number of practical self-assessment questions and performance indicators for companies. The tool enables companies to diagnose their performance across all four issue areas, inspire continuous improvement, and assist in the development of a Communication on Progress. (UNGC/DI/Danish Ministry for Economy and Business Affairs/IFU)

Human Rights and Business E-Learning Tool
Interactive web-based platform for enhancing knowledge regarding implementation of Human Rights principles. (UNGC/OHCHR)

Guide on How to Develop a Human Rights Policy
Provides instruction regarding how businesses can develop and implement a Human Rights policy within their company. (UNGC)

Human Rights and Business Dilemmas Forum
An online, multi-stakeholder forum to discuss dilemmas confronting business and identify related good practices. It also includes interactive workbooks and case studies. (UNGC/Maplecroft/GE Foundation)

The Labour Principles of the United Nations Global Compact: A Guide for Business
Update to this resource for enhancing knowledge regarding implementation of labour principles, including suggested actions for each principle and an inventory of key resources. (UNGC/ILO/IOE/ITUC)

Human Trafficking and Business: Good Practices to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking
Guides business on how to avoid being implicated in human trafficking through the use of their products, services or facilities, as well as how to make a positive contribution. (UNGC/UN.GIFT/ILO/IOM)

Environmental Stewardship Strategy – Overview and Resource for Corporate Leaders
Presents integrative approach to managing a variety of key environmental issues, designed to help companies develop a comprehensive environmental strategy, following an 8-step model (UNGC/Duke University)

Framework for Responsible Business Engagement with Water Policy
Assists companies in responsible water policy engagement, providing core principles, strategies, and operational practices. (UNGC /Pacific Institute/WWF/Government of Germany)

Low Carbon Leaders – Transformative Solutions for a Low-Carbon Future
Presents transformative solutions that businesses around the world are implementing to save energy, reduce emissions and ensure a low-carbon future. (UNGC/WWF)

Reporting Guidance on the 10th Principle Against Corruption
Equips business with a practical means to report on anti-corruption policies and actions comprehensively and effectively. (UNGC/Transparency International)

Fighting Corruption in the Supply Chain: A Guide for Customers and Suppliers
Outlines common supply chain corruption scenarios and provides a framework and set of tools for addressing them. (UNGC)

E-learning Tool: Fighting Against Corruption
Offers an online learning platform that companies can easily access to obtain practical guidance on how to fight corruption in all forms through six interactive dilemma scenarios. (UNGC/UNODC)

Collective Action – Building a Coalition Against Corruption
Providers options for combating market corruption based on “how to” examples, including a range of tools that help users tailor collective action frameworks to their specific circumstances.
(UNGC/ICC/Transparency International/WEF-PACI/WBI/CIPE/Global Advice Network/Grant Thornton/Siemens)

BEST PRACTICES

Highlights existing and emerging best practices by sustainability front-runners

Doing Business While Advancing Development and Peace
Provides illustrative examples of how companies from a variety of sectors are positively contributing to peace and development in conflict-prone or post-conflict operating environments. (UNGC)

Dialogues on Integrating Human Rights – Testimonials by Business Leaders
Collection of testimonials by business leaders around the world on the mainstream importance of human rights. (UNGC/GBI)

From Principles to Practice: The Role of SA8000 in Implementing the UN Global Compact
Presents case studies of companies that have adhered to the SA8000 standard as a way to advance their commitment to the Global Compact. (UNGC/SAI/CIPE)

Implementing the United Nations Global Compact in China: Inspirational Case Examples
Illustrates innovative and sustainable activities being undertaken by businesses in China. (Global Compact Network China)

The Impact of UK Companies on the Millennium Development Goals
Illustrates and surveys how Global Compact companies based in the United Kingdom are contributing to development both in the UK and around the world. (Global Compact Network UK/UK Department of Business, Innovation and Skills)

(Last updated: 07 July 2010)