Deeply connected to the Global Compact are initiatives which bring mainstream investors, stock exchanges, business schools and municipalities into the fold of corporate sustainability.
The Global Compact Cities Programme is dedicated to the promotion and adoption of the Global Compact Ten Principles by cities, and provides a framework for translating the principles into day-to-day urban governance and management. The Cities Programme, with an international secretariat based at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, focuses on collaboration between all levels of Government, business and civil society to enhance sustainability, resilience, diversity and adaptation within cities and in the face of complex urban challenges. Approximately 80 cities across regions are engaged. Learn more: www.citiesprogramme.com
The United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) initiative is a network of international investors working together to put the six Principles for Responsible Investment into practice. The PRI were devised by the investment community and reflect the view that environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues can affect the performance of investment portfolios and therefore must be given appropriate consideration by investors if they are to fulfill their fiduciary (or equivalent) duty. In implementing the Principles, signatories contribute to the development of a more sustainable global financial system. Launched in 2006 by UNEP Finance Initiative and the UN Global Compact, the PRI provide a voluntary framework by which all investors can incorporate ESG issues into their decision-making and ownership practices and so better align their objectives with those of society at large. Over 1,200 investment institutions have become signatories, with approximately US$ 45 trillion assets under management. Learn more: www.unpri.org
The Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) is a UN Global Compact sponsored initiative with the mission to inspire and champion responsible management education, research and thought leadership globally. Higher education institutions become signatories to the six Principles for Responsible Management Education. The PRME are inspired by internationally accepted values and provide an engagement structure for academic institutions to advance corporate sustainability by incorporating universal values into curricula and research. PRME seeks to establish a process of continuous improvement among institutions of management education in order to develop a new generation of business leaders capable of managing the complex challenges faced by business and society in the 21st century. Approximately 600 signatory institutions from 80 countries have engaged with the initiative. Learn more: www.unprme.org
Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) is a peer-to-peer learning platform for exploring how exchanges, in collaboration with investors, regulators, and companies, can
enhance corporate transparency and performance on ESG issues and encourage sustainable investment. The Sustainable Stock Exchanges initiative is convened by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the UN Global Compact, the UN Environment Programme’s Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and currently counts 16 partner exchanges from around the world. Learn more: www.sseinitiative.org
