The Sustainability Learning Forum

Guidance on Responsible Business in Conflict-Affected & High-Risk Areas: A Resource for Companies & Investors

United Nations Global Compact (UNGC)

The Guidance aims to assist companies in implementing responsible business practices in conflict-affected and high-risk areas consistent with the Global Compact ten principles. The focus is to provide a common reference point for constructive dialogue between companies and investors on what constitutes responsible business practices in difficult operating environments. This voluntary guidance is designed to stimulate learning and dialogue and to promote collective action and innovative partnerships through Global Compact Local Networks and other initiatives. It was developed by the United Nations Global Compact Office, the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) initiative and an expert group comprised of company representatives, investors, civil society leaders, UN representatives and others. (Source: UN Global Compact) more[...] login_required

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A Global Compact for Development

United Nations Global Compact (UNGC)

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. (Source: UNGC) more[...] login_required

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UN Global Compact Management Model - Framework for Implementation

United Nations Global Compact (UNGC)

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. more[...] login_required

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Blueprint For Corporate Sustainability Leadership

United Nations Global Compact (UNGC)

The Blueprint offers companies a model for achieving higher levels of performance and generating enhanced value through the Global Compact. It provides an action plan in three core areas: (i) integrating the Global Compact ten principles into strategies and operations; (ii) taking action in support of broader UN goals and issues; and (iii) engaging with the Global Compact. The Blueprint identifies best practices in each of these dimensions, with a total of 50 criteria for leadership. Designed to inspire advanced performers to reach the next level of sustainability, the Blueprint sets targets that all companies should work towards in order to ascend the learning and performance curve. more[...] login_required

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United Nations Foundation

Editorial Team

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European Business and Biodiversity Platform (B@B)

Shulamit Alony, IUCN

The European Commission has decided to establish a technical support facility to promote the continued development of the EU Business and Biodiversity Initiative. The platform is open to civil society as well as to business in its activities. The platform will work with the interested priority business sectors identified by the European Commission – agriculture, food supply, forestry, extractive industry, finance, and tourism – to promote their awareness of and engagement in biodiversity protection. more[...] login_required

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Guillou, Marion

Editorial Team

Short Profile, Marion Guillou, INRA more[...] login_required

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Early Origins of Health

Editorial Team

The global community is beginning to understand the enormity of the humanitarian, societal, and economic challenge that noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) present. The rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases are rapidly increasing in almost all countries such that these are now among the world’s biggest killers. There is a growing recognition that the development of these diseases may have their roots in our earliest days of life within the uterine environment and up to the age of two years and that early intervention is a cost-effective means of preventing NCDs later in life. Therefore, pregnancy offers a unique window of opportunity to turn the tide of the NCD epidemic. more[...] login_required

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Dille, Scott

Editorial Team

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Overview of extra-financial rating agencies

Novethic

The extra-financial ratings market has developed considerably over the past fifteen years. A growing number of agencies have cropped up, while others have disappeared. Which are these agencies? What methodology are they using? What services do they offer? What investment universe are they covering? Here are key questions the Novethic review of extra-financial rating agencies is answering. more[...] login_required

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Novethic

Editorial Team

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Norm-based exclusions: how responsible investors handle controversial companies

Novethic

Novethic analyses the investment policies of around thirty French and Northern European investors and draws up the major trends of norm-based exclusions practices which consists in excluding from portfolios companies that have been called into question because they have violated international conventions on social or environmental issues. Even it is gradually gaining ground in France, the process still involves a limited number of companies. more[...] login_required

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Promoting Inclusion of the Population

Eduardo Dantas, Bradesco

Since its founding in 1943, Bradesco’s operations have been grounded in its commitment to Brazil’s development, and for that reason, sustainability is not new to Bradesco Bank. Issues such as community development and social inclusion have always been part of the organization’s day-to-day business. more[...]

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Georg Kell about the Global Compact

Georg Kell, United Nations Global Compact

Since the very beginning, Georg Kell has been Executive Director of the Global Compact. Due to his ongoing fervour the Global Compact today is fully integrated into the UN system. We spoke with Georg Kell about the economic crisis, the search for new confidence, and the renaissance of politics and ethics. His message is clear: We have to reward sustainable business models. And we have to take climate change much more seriously, or the future might be rough. more[...]

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Green Economy – the Next Oxymoron?

Prof. Ulrich Brand, Vienna University

The concept of a green economy has become the new buzz word in sustainability discourses, particularly in light of the Rio+20 Conference. Because of the current economic crisis and the perception that sustainability politics cannot be implemented efficiently, politicians have set their hopes on greening the economy. However, there are major problems with the aims and strategies linked to this concept. Specifically, if political, economical, and cultural constraints are not consid ered, green economy strategies will not be successful in their goals to end environmental degradation and reducing poverty. more[...] login_required

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