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United Nations Global Compact
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Environment

The Global Compact’s environment principles are derived from the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development

The three principles are:

The world is today facing unique environmental challenges. Among these include; record loss of biodiversity and long-term damage to ecosystems; pollution of the atmosphere and the consequences of climate change; waste production & disposal; natural resource depletion; impacts of chemicals use and toxic substance disposal; damaged aquatic ecosystems and; land degradation.

The Business Case for Corporate Environmental Responsibility:

Two well known studies in the business case for corporate sustainability have been undertaken by UNEP, SustainAbility Ltd and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The first study (Buried Treasure: Uncovering the Business Case for Sustainability) looked primarily at evidence resulting from corporations in developed countries, while the second study (Developing Value: The Business Case for Sustainability in Emerging Markets) focused specifically on emerging economies. The study - Buried Treasure: Uncovering the Business Case for Sustainability - developed a Sustainable Business Value Model which links ten dimensions of sustainable development performance with ten more traditional measures of business success. The Developing Value study looked at more than 240 examples in over 60 countries, and identified the following business opportunities associated with pursuing more sustainable approaches to business:

  • saving costs through improved efficiencies;
  • increased revenues by improving the environment and benefiting the local economy;
  • reducing risks through stakeholder engagement;
  • building brand value and reputation;
  • developing human and intellectual capital; and
  • improving access to capital through better governance.

New Engagement Platforms

Calls to action for Global Compact participants to join the platforms by becoming signatories of the statements:

"Caring for Climate: The Global Business Leadership Platform on Climate Change" - a voluntary and complementary action platform for Global Compact participants who want to demonstrate leadership on climate change. Caring for Climate is designed to show how committed business leaders can advance practical solutions, shape public opinion and government attitudes.

"The CEO Water Mandate"



UN Core Agency

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) - The United Nations Environment Programme  (UNEP) produces a range of training materials for decision makers in government, industry and business, and local communities. Some of the publications can only be ordered from EarthPrint Limited, P.O. Box 119, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG14TP England. Tel: +44 1438 748 111; Fax: +44 1438 748 844; E-mail: orders@earthprint.com, www.earthprint.com

Contacts

Lila Karbassi
UN Global Compact Office
karbassi@un.org 
Tel: +1-917-367-3648

or

Cornelis Theunis Van der Lugt
UNEP
cornis.lugt@unep.fr
Tel:  +33 - 1 - 4437 1445

(Last update 12 August 2008)