The number of businesses committing to net-zero emissions is rapidly growing, but not all net-zero targets are created equal. Without adhering to a common definition, net-zero targets can be inconsistent, and their collective impact limited.Responding to the pressing need for a common understanding of “net zero” in a corporate context, the Net-Zero Standard offers the world's first framework for corporate net-zero target setting in line with climate science.In this 20-minute, interactive e-learning course delivered by the UN Global Compact Academy and the Science Based Targets initiative, you will: Discover how the Net-Zero Standard provides a common, robust, and science-based understanding of net-zero Receive guidance on how to set science-based net-zero targets consistent with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C Align your company's near- and long-term targets with climate science New to science-based targets? This e-learning course requires a basic understanding of science-based targets and a familiarity with the Science Based Targets initiative. If you're new to this topic, we recommend the Academy foundations course, Setting science-based targets.

This publication highlights how African businesses can accelerate the sustainable development of their economies while making critical contributions to advance climate action, and includes key insights from CEOs on making low-carbon development a reality in Africa.

This publication highlights the collaborative and creative steps governments, multilaterals and private financers may need to take in order to reduce the funding gap and increase the flows of climate finance in Africa, and includes insights from the Africa Business Leaders Coalition (ABLC) roundtable discussion on business-led climate action, which took place in Casablanca in July 2022.

  This publication highlights how African businesses can meaningfully engage in adaptation and resilience planning that benefits both the company and the broader community and includes insights from the Africa Business Leaders Coalition (ABLC) roundtable discussion on business-led climate action, which took place in Lagos in July 2022.

This publication highlights how companies in Africa can prioritize initiatives and restructure business models to support a just transition. Read this roundtable perspective to identify ways businesses can take relevant, meaningful and outcome-oriented action to recognize impact and facilitate inclusive and sustainable economies in Africa. 

This publication highlights the joint actions public and private institutions can take to improve coordination of climate action projects in Africa. Read this roundtable perspective to learn the ways African businesses can help shape the conversations around sustainable development by leveraging their expertise and experience.

As we confront the climate crisis, what is the role of business in ensuring a just transition? In this business brief, the UN Global Compact lays out a vision to ensure the move to net-zero emissions and climate resilience is orderly, inclusive and just—and creates decent work opportunities, leaving no one behind. Created in collaboration with the UN Global Compact Think Lab on Just Transition, this business brief provides an introduction to the role of business in supporting a just transition. The business brief is available in English, Korean and Spanish.

This publication provides an overview of the five key topics discussed at the ABLC roundtables in July and August 2022. Each section focuses on one of the five most pressing climate issues facing the African continent, along with insights from the CEOs and executives in attendance. The concluding section lays out a series of 14 questions that leaders must consider as they look at Climate Action both within their own organizations and externally.

This addition to the Decent Work for Sustainable Procurement Toolkit is an overview for buyers on why it is important to include a gender lens to procurement strategies and practices. It provides a practical step-by-step guide on how buyers can advance gender equality and promote non-discrimination through procurement decisions and explains the business benefits of sourcing from women-owned or gender-responsive businesses.  

This publication showcases examples of good practices from a growing number of businesses in the Arab States that are taking gender-responsive action to ensure the economic inclusion and social well-being of their employees, customers and suppliers, as well as local communities. As a regional companion piece to the global publication of UN Women and IFC ‘Bridging the Gap - Emerging Private Sector Response and Recovery Measures for Gender Equality amid COVID-19 (2020)’, this regional report aims to inform companies in the Arab region and around the world on emerging practices and initiatives for supporting women leaders, employees, entrepreneurs and those in value chains amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

2022 marks the 10-year anniversary of the Children’s Rights and Business Principles developed jointly by UNICEF, UN Global Compact and Save the Children in consultation with children, businesses, investors, governments, civil society, trade unions, national human rights institutions and United Nations entities. The joint report “Charting the Course: Embedding children’s rights in responsible business conduct” elaborates key achievements and main gaps that need to be addressed to accelerate impact for children through business action and policy decisions. The report lays the foundation for raising the bar towards making business fit for children.  

Anchored in the goals of the Paris Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, the African Business Leaders' Climate Statement brings the voice of the African private sector into the global conversation on sustainable development and bold climate action. The Statement includes commitments each signatory company will make in the areas of adaptation, just transition and mitigation, as well as a call to the global community to support the continent of Africa in climate action.