An increasing number of companies recognize that water poses a significant risk to their business and have begun to take action to mitigate their risks via improved water management practices and stewardship. This paper proposes a new recognition that companies seeking to manage water-related business risks can and should contribute to improved water and sanitation management and governance that is also in the public interest.

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.

The publication highlights the potential role of social dialogue in fostering stability, equity, productivity, sustainable enterprises and inclusive growth. It also showcases some successful examples.

Provides a summary and highlights of the inaugural SDG Investment Forum in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Introduces a mapping exercise that demonstrates how uneven the governance landscape is across the industries that populate this frontier. Six industries are considered: international shipping, offshore oil and gas, offshore renewable energy, marine aquaculture, marine fisheries and seabed mining. While some, such as maritime shipping, have well-established and extensive governance structures encompassing a wide breadth of public and private sector actors, others like the seabed mining industry are still in a state of emergence.

Elaborates the role of business in securing a healthy, productive and well-governed ocean. Private sector innovation and  investment, together with strong public and private governance frameworks, could exponentially increase the amount of sustainable resources delivered from the ocean, including healthy food, secure and affordable clean energy, and more efficient and lower-carbon transport.

Investors, governments, and other stakeholders are increasingly demanding that companies demonstrate sustainable strategies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This guide seeks to support companies looking to integrate the SDGs into their financial strategy and business model. A credible SDG strategy allows a company to clearly communicate its impact, facilitates easier access to the growing market for SDG financing, and connects investors with a pipeline of potential opportunities to address the SDG investment gap.  This publication is available in English and Spanish

This guide explores the role of the bond market – the largest asset class in the global financial markets – in the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With US$ 6.7 trillion of annual issuance, bonds can provide a cheap, reliable and scalable source of capital for a variety of stakeholders involved in the implementation of Agenda 2030, including companies, governments, cities and public-private partnerships. SDG bonds also provide an answer to the lack of SDG investment opportunities for institutional investors. A diverse portfolio of SDG Bonds, including sovereign, municipal, corporate and project bonds across developed and emerging markets could fulfill mainstream investors’ growing demand for impact while matching their risk-return appetite. This publication is available in English and Spanish

Business Leadership Brief For Healthy Planet, Healthy People provides a holistic approach and outlines concrete actions for companies to embed health and empowerment in their policies, systems, and operations. This publication is available in English and Spanish

Represents more than a decade of research on sustainable business. Together with the UN Global Compact Progress Report, it forms the world’s most comprehensive research to date on business contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals. The 2019 study draws on insights from more than 1,000 CEOs from 21 industries and 99 countries, including over 100 in-depth interviews, and nearly 1,600 senior business leaders who responded to the UN Global Compact implementation survey.

Provides an assessment of how companies in the UN Global Compact are adopting the Ten Principles and taking action to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals. Based on data collected in the UN Global Compact annual survey, the report takes stock of how companies are performing on critical sustainability topics. The report also takes a deep dive into the critical issues of climate and gender equality. A feature on the activities of Global Compact Local Networks over the past year is also included. 

Showcases business leadership on climate action aligned with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C. Featuring solutions and strategies developed by companies that have taken the 1.5°C pledge, the report examines how business leaders are integrating this process into corporate strategies and generating employee buy-in.