There are a growing number of resources and tools to help businesses engage in working towards, as well as reporting on, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These are resources that can be used in a classroom setting, as a tool for students or faculty working with business , or as tools to develop new partnerships and research opportunities with business around the SDGS. Here are 10 resources put together by the Global Compact focused on business and the SDGs in 2018.
SDG Bonds & Corporate Finance: A Roadmap to Mainstream Investments: This report seeks to inspire and guide companies, Governments, cities and others involved in the implementation of Agenda 2030 to tap into the private capital markets and benefit from cheaper and more reliable capital to support the implementation of their SDG strategies. Introduces a roadmap for mainstream SDG bonds and corporate SDG finance to tap into the largest assets classes and respond to the specific financing challenges in emerging markets. It calls on institutional investors to increase their allocation of capital towards the SDGs, and to drive the demand for a diverse set of SDG investments ranging from sovereign bonds to corporate bonds and equity.
Human Rights: The Foundation of Sustainable Business:This report celebrates the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and builds upon the UN Global Compact Progress Report. The report highlights insight and initiatives by Global Compact Local Networks around the world, presents snapshots of good practice from companies participating in the UN Global Compact and showcases initiatives that are advancing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Integrating the Sustainable Development Goals into Corporate Reporting: A Practical Guide:This Guide outlines a three-step process to embed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into existing business and reporting processes. It helps business to better report their impact on the SDGs and address the information needs of relevant stakeholders. This Guide follows an approach that is aligned with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the GRI Standards.
In Focus: Addressing Investor Needs in Business Reporting on the SDGs: This report features recommendations on how corporate reporting on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can best address investors’ information needs. By helping inform investors’ decision-making process, corporate SDG reporting can stimulate more investment in sustainable business solutions to help advance the Global Goals.
Action Platform for Sustainable Ocean Business: In 2018 the Global Compact launched a new Action Platform for Sustainable Ocean Business with the aim of developing a Framework for Leadership for the Global Goals and the Ocean, facilitate the development of a business leadership framework on oceans, seas and marine resources and inspire partnerships and local action.
Women’s Empowerment Principles Global Trends Report 2018: This report examines the aggregate results of companies using the Women’s Empowerment Principles Gender Gap Analysis Tool (WEPs Tool) with an aim to provide insights on global corporate performance on gender equality and women’s empowerment aligned with the WEPs, demonstrate the value of using the WEPs Tool, and showcase the efforts of partners and other stakeholders to drive gender equality around the world.
The Ambition Loop — How Business and Government Can Advance Policies that Fast Track Zero-Carbon Economic Growth: This report provides guidance for business and Government to fast track zero-carbon economic growth. With hundreds of businesses pursuing bold climate change solutions and countries updating national climate plans in advance of 2020, the opportunity for greater ambition abounds. More and more businesses are seeing opportunity in the zero-carbon economy and taking action on climate change. Governments must use this as a strong vote of confidence and advance ambitious policies that provide companies with the clarity and confidence they need to unlock further investments in climate solutions. This is the “ambition loop” — a positive feedback loop in which bold Government policies and private sector leadership reinforce each other, and together, take climate action to the next level.
Building Peace and Prosperity: What Business Can Do: This guide provides a list of concrete actions that different stakeholder groups — including business, the investor community, Governments, the UN and civil society — can take to scale up business action and investment in high-risk areas. It also provides an overview of eight multi-stakeholder initiatives that support stakeholders in scaling up these actions.
Decent Work in Global Supply Chains — A Baseline Report: This report summarizes data of bilateral interviews with supply chain, procurement, and sustainability executives of companies that participate in the UN Global Compact Action Platform on Decent Work in Global Supply Chains. The report presents insights into some of the key challenges and opportunities that companies face in their efforts to develop more sustainable procurement strategies. It also offers practical examples of steps taken to combat pressing human rights issues in supply chains, such as modern slavery, child labour and non-compliance with employment standards, and references relevant initiatives and resources for further guidance on these issues.
Business: It’s Time to Act – Decent Work, Modern Slavery & Child Labour: Decent Work cannot exist where modern slavery and child labour persist. Forced labour, modern slavery and child labour are complex problems associated with poverty, governance failures and inequalities in the global labour market. Tackling them requires a massive international effort, involving Governments, businesses, civil society organizations, trade unions and international bodies. This brief guide, developed as part of the Decent Work in Global Supply Chains Action Platform, offers a quick overview of the steps businesses can take to help eliminate modern slavery, while highlighting key resources, initiatives and engagement opportunities to support business action.
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