Examines how institutional investors across the world are beginning to interact with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and paint an early picture of investors’ current and future plans to engage with these Goals. The study also identifies barriers investors face to supporting the SDGs, and provides recommendations for how these could be overcome.

Showcases industry-specific examples and ideas for corporate action related to the SDGs. Presented in a series of publications, each matrix will highlight bold pursuits and decisions made by diverse companies for each SDG.

Helps investors understand the sustainable development goals and how financial markets can support sustainable development. The report is intended to allow investors to learn, engage and collaborate on sustainable development goal focused activities in order to promote long-term sustainability.

This resource details how to deal with humanitarian crisis as a business.

Investors are increasingly looking at ESG factors to minimize risks and help identify business opportunities. Join the discussion between a LEAD company and the Principles for Responsible Investment on the value of ESG considerations. During the discussion 2 key resources will be highlighted; the recently launched PRI guide '"Practical Guide to ESG integration for Equity Investment" aimed to help investors on how to use ESG data, and the Value Driver Model tool which utilizes key business metrics to determine the return on investment of corporate sustainability activities.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a blueprint for significantly changing the world by 2030, and the Investor Relations community can play a key role in turning these aspirational goals into reality. Reports show the level of investment needed to achieve the SDGs is approximately $5 to $7 trillion globally per year from 2015 to 2030, and investor relations can be a driving force behind the incorporation of strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices into business strategies and operations. On this episode of Business of Tomorrow, we interview three experts on the obstacles and opportunities of engaging the investment community in achieving long-term, sustainable capital markets and the importance of investor relations leadership for the SDGs. You can listen to this episode below or search for United Nations Global Compact/Business of Tomorrow on your smartphone podcast app.

Procurement is one of the main channels through which humanitarian and development aid is delivered. Because of this, it is also a vital component to fulfilling the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This publication includes examples of innovative approaches that are being developed to support humanitarian aid and drive sustainable development, and includes contributions from across the public and private sector, as well as academia. The thematic supplement report is part of the 2016 Annual Statistical Report on United Nations Procurement and explores the topic of Future Proofing Procurement, i.e. how procurement has evolved/is evolving to address the needs of the future.

Finds that fiduciary duty is not an obstacle to asset owner action on ESG factors. This report looks at fiduciary duty across eight markets (US, Canada, UK, Germany, Brazil, Australia, Japan and South Africa) through a series of events, interviews, case studies and a legal review.

While data shows closing the gender gap would increase the GDP of countries around the world and advance sustainable development globally, there are still significant legal barriers to women's economic empowerment. To realistically achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, governments are encouraged to remove legal barriers restricting women’s participation in the global economy and to unlock the full potential of women and girls around the world. This webinar introduces the findings of the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law 2016 report which found that approximately 90% of 173 countries have at least one legal barrier restricting economic opportunities for women. The discussion highlights the business opportunity and imperative to promote good governance and the equal rights of women and men required to create an enabling environment for inclusive and sustainable business growth.

On 12 December 2016, António Guterres was sworn in as the next United Nations Secretary-General. In his vision for the post, Mr. Guterres - a former Prime Minister of Portugal and UN High Commissioner for Refugees - has said that the world body is uniquely placed to connect the dots to overcome global challenges and further strengthen the nexus between peace and security, sustainable development and human rights policies.

The key elements of a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders, and a effective investment and operating environment for business, are closely intertwined. Human rights and environmental defenders, journalists, lawyers, and anti-corruption campaigners are key agents of change, and they contribute greatly to safeguard human rights and the rule of law. As such, both companies and human rights defenders have a shared interest in an environment which respects the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly, and is characterised by non-discrimination, transparent and accountable government, freedom from corruption, and respect for the rule of law. Regrettably, the operating environment for defenders is becoming increasingly restrictive and dangerous in many countries. These countries include those in which corporations, with policies on human rights, increasingly operate and invest. Jointly hosted by the UN Global Compact, the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) and the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC), this webinar will provide an overview of the increasing restrictions faced by civil society and human rights defenders, explore some of the drivers and benefits of business action in their support and protection, and discuss emerging good practices related to business and human rights defenders.

2016 is a year of action: the United Nations, Governments, Business and Civil Society are coming together to jump-start progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2016 the UN Private Sector Forum focused on the role of business in advancing sustainable development to prevent global instability. Hosted by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the Forum was organized in collaboration with the Co-Chairs of the United Nations High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly to address Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants.