The global sanitation crisis is one of the most critical sustainable development challenges facing the world today. This discussion paper explores the business case for corporate action on sanitation and identifies several ways the private sector can make an impact.

The Corporate Water Disclosure Guidelines seek to advance a common approach to corporate water disclosure that addresses the complexity and local nature of water resources.

This paper articulates the need to allow companies to contribute to water management efforts, to assist them instead of excluding them, and to insist that they operate in a manner that justifies their presence and is welcomed by local stakeholders.

Building on the 2013 consultations, and in collaboration with the UN Industrial Development Organization, the UN Global Compact supported consultations in an additional 20 countries throughout 2014. The consultations, “Engaging with the Private Sector,” focused on implementation ranging from partnerships to SME engagement to government policies. Preliminary results fed into the UN Secretary-General’s Synthesis Report. Likewise, the results were presented to Member States.

Highlights the UN Global Compact's major activities and outputs working to implement its strategy each year. In addition, this report gives an overview of Global Compact governance and accountability measures, partners, funding sources and financial information.

An extensive range of publications produced by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on a variety of topics related to human rights. The goal of OHCHR's publications programme is to increase knowledge and raise awareness about human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to publicize ways of promoting and protecting them worldwide. OHCHR publications also aim to encourage debate on human rights issues under discussion at the United Nations.

This tool is intended to help companies assess and improve capacity to manage their human rights impacts. The OCAI consists of a self-assessment questionnaire centered on the major elements of the corporate responsibility to respect human rights.

Showcases leading research from brokers and investment managers to demonstrate how investors and analysts are integrating ESG factors into fundamental equity valuation.

Sets baseline expectations for companies to provide proactive and constructive input to Governments to advocate for the creation of effective climate policies. The guide connects the dots between sustainability commitments, such as emissions reductions across their value chains and efficiency improvements, with corporate policy positions. Core elements of responsible corporate engagement in public policy are laid out in three practical action items 1) Engage for Legitimacy and Opportunity 2) Align for Consistency and Accountability 3) Report for Transparency.

Showcases business initiatives that were nominated for the Business Leader’s Award to Fight Human Trafficking, which aims to identify and recognize good business practices for preventing and tackling human trafficking. The second in a series, this webinar explores innovative business approaches in the travel and tourism sector, with nominees sharing their good practices, challenges and lessons learned in preventing and mitigating the risks of human trafficking.

The recent factory-building collapse in Bangladesh, claiming the lives of over 1,100 workers, provided a stark reminder that there is more to be done to ensure better and safer working conditions for workers in Bangladesh, as well as across other regions. This webinar reviews how companies can help prevent similar tragedies in the future. Panelists include representatives of Better Work (ILO/IFC), who share global experiences and solutions, and leading companies in the garment and mobile telecommunications sectors, who discussed some of the practical steps they have taken to improve worker standards in their supply chains.

Considered through the lens of social license methodology, panelists explored how companies can analyze operations and supplier relations to avoid contributing to negative impacts on human rights, such as child labour. Participants discussed the importance of meeting the minimum requirements to respect human rights as outlined by the Global Compact principles and the Guiding Principles and how doing so can help mitigate potential risks to a company’s reputation and bottom line. Business panelists share best practices and lessons learned about assessing human rights risks in their operations, and strategies they have used to prevent or respond to them.