UN GLOBAL COMPACT BULLETIN

FEBRUARY 2011

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NEWS & UPDATES

1. UN Secretary-General Calls for New Level of Corporate Sustainability Performance at World Economic Forum, Launches Global Compact LEAD
2. Number of Expelled Companies Exceeds 2,000 as Disclosure Framework Strengthened
3. Global Compact Human Rights Working Group Issues Statement to the Special Representative on Business and Human Rights
4. WindMade: First Global Consumer Label for Companies Using Wind Energy
5. Business Momentum Grows for Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development
6. Participant Status: New Signatories, COPs and Delistings

ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

1. CEO Statement of Support for the Women’s Empowerment  Principles – Call for Signatures ahead of 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day
2. More Opportunities: Addressing Corruption, Partnership Opportunities to Support Sustainable Development and more

FEATURED RESOURCES

1. Business and Human Rights Learning Tool
2. Disability in the Workplace – Company Practices
3. Arc of Human Rights Priorities

EVENTS

1. The Responsibility to Respect Human Rights, the UN Protect-Respect-Remedy Framework and the Draft Guiding Principles (18 February, Webinar)

Event Calendar

February
Global Compact Management Model Training (3 Feb, New York)
Global Compact Local Networks Regional Meeting for Asia (10 – 11 Feb, Bali)
Responsibility to Respect Human Rights, the UN Protect-Respect-Remedy Framework and the Draft Guiding Principles (Webinar, 18 Feb)
Partnering with the Philanthropic Community to Promote Education for All (28 Feb, New York)

March
Supply Chain Sustainability Advisory Group Meeting (2–4 Mar, Mexico City)
Business Side Event, Rio+20 Prepcom 2 (7–8 Mar, New York)
3rd Annual Event on the Women’s Empowerment Principles (9–10 Mar, New York)
MDGs, the Global Compact and the Common Good (20–22 Mar, South Bend)
2011 UNEP Business and Industry Global Dialogue: From CSD-18 to Rio+20 (21–22 Mar, Paris)

April
UN System Private Sector Focal Points Meeting (12–13 Apr, Paris)
2011 Annual Summit of Green Companies (21-22 Apr, Qingdao)

May
4th UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries – Private Sector Track (9–13 May, Istanbul)
Caring for Climate: 3rd Meeting of Signatories (17 May, Cairo)
Anti-Corruption Working Group Meeting (17 May, Cairo)
IX Annual Local Networks Forum (18–19 May, Cairo)

September
Union for Global Sustainability (14–15 Sept, Rio de Janeiro)
UN Private Sector Forum (Date TBD, New York)

Please visit the Event Calendar on our website to learn more about the listed events.
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NEWS & UPDATES

1. UN Secretary-General Calls for New Level of Corporate Sustainability Performance at World Economic Forum, Launches Global Compact LEAD
Chief executives joined UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (28 January, Davos) to launch Global Compact LEAD – a platform created to set a new benchmark for corporate sustainability on environment, social and governance issues. The executives represent a group of 54 companies, all participants of the Global Compact, that have made an ambitious commitment to implement the Blueprint for Corporate Sustainability Leadership, a comprehensive roadmap outlining roughly 50 concrete actions businesses can take to achieve greater sustainability. More.

Earlier in the day, speaking at the World Economic Forum, the Secretary-General proclaimed that “sustainable development is the growth agenda for the 21st century”. He called on business leaders present to join the Global Compact. “We need you to step up. Spark innovation. Lead by action. Invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy for those who need them most – your future customers. Expand clean energy access in developing countries – your markets of tomorrow.” More.

Also in Davos, the Secretary-General convened global business leaders to discuss the Global Compact’s Blueprint for Corporate Sustainability Leadership, with executives sharing challenges and opportunities related to implementation of the Blueprint within their companies. More.

2. Number of Expelled Companies Exceeds 2,000 as Disclosure Framework Strengthened
2,048 companies from around the world have been expelled from the Global Compact since 2008 for repeated failure to communicate on progress in integrating the initiative’s ten principles into their strategies and operations (20 January, New York). In conjunction with the stronger enforcement of its COP policy, the Global Compact will be introducing a differentiation framework to motivate companies at all levels to strive for greater integration of the principles. More. View list of expelled companies.

3. Global Compact Human Rights Working Group Issues Statement to the Special Representative on Business and Human Rights
The Global Compact Human Rights Working Group has submitted a statement to Professor John Ruggie, the Special Representative of the Secretary General on business and human rights (25 January, New York) recommending that follow-up to the UN Protect-Respect-Remedy framework at the international level remain inclusive and multi-stakeholder. The Global Compact remains committed to helping business better understand and implement the Framework which elaborates on the first two principles of the Global Compact. More. Read the Statement.

4. WindMade: First Global Consumer Label for Companies Using Wind Energy
The Global Wind Energy Council, WWF, the LEGO Group, the Global Compact, Vestas Wind Systems, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Bloomberg announced support for the development of the first global consumer label identifying corporations and products made with wind energy (Abu Dhabi, 18 January). The WindMade initiative is a direct response to increasing consumer demand for sustainable products. More.

4. Business Momentum Grows for Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development
As part of the first Intersessional of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development 2012 (10 January, New York), Business Action for Sustainable Development 2012 (BASD 2012) held its first formal event with Government focused on the business role in advancing sustainable development. BASD 2012, formed by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, the International Chamber of Commerce, and the Global Compact, is an inclusive coalition that will serve as the business voice at the Rio+20 Summit. More.

5. Participant Status: New Signatories, COPs and Delistings
In January, 76 companies and 41 non-business stakeholders joined the Global Compact. 292 companies were delisted for failing to communicate on progress. Franke Artemis Group (Switzerland), Novacaixagalicia (Spain), Jotun A/S (Norway), Sagemcom SAS (France), SMA Solar Technology AG (Germany), Banco de Costa Rica (Costa Rica), Lecta Group (Luxembourg), Prevent Group BH (Bosnia-Herzegovina), Goodyear do Brasil Produtos de Borracha Ltda (Brazil), TESSI S.A (France) and Organizacion Terpel S.A (Colombia).

Total figures as of 28 January:

• Business participants: 6,078
• Non-business participants: 2,502
• COPs received: 10,328
• Delisted business participants: 2,055

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ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

1. CEO Statement of Support for the Women’s Empowerment  Principles – Call for Signatures ahead of 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day
In the lead up to the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day (8 March 2011), the Global Compact encourages top executives to sign the CEO Statement of Support for the Women’s Empowerment Principles. By signing the Statement, CEOs commit to advance gender equality and agree to use the Principles as guidance for business actions that empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community.

Download a list of the companies that have endorsed the CEO Statement of Support for the Women’s Empowerment Principles. For more information on how to sign, please contact Lauren Gula (gulal@un.org).

2. More Opportunities: Addressing Corruption, Partnership Opportunities to Support Sustainable Development and more
Many of the engagement opportunities announced in past issues of the Bulletin are still active. View the full list of Engagement Opportunities.

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FEATURED RESOURCES

1. Business and Human Rights Learning Tool: Web-based modules integrate exercises and case studies on current trends and expectations towards business on implementation of human rights principles, as reflected in the UN Protect-Respect-Remedy Framework. Upon successful completion of a test of the learning tool content users have the opportunity to obtain a certificate. Access the Website.

2. Disability in the Workplace – Company Practices: Highlights company practices and operations in the areas of hiring, retention, products, services and corporate social responsibility in terms of persons with disabilities. Company profiles provide inspiration and guidance for advancing non-discrimination and diversity policies and initiatives, while illustrating the business case for hiring persons with disabilities and maintaining a diverse workforce. Published by the ILO. Download.

3. Arc of Human Rights Priorities: Assists companies in focusing their resources on the most urgent human rights issues in their operations. The newly designed Arc identifies high-priority issues for each company, including a graphic representation of the company’s human rights profile. This prioritization allows companies to monitor, prevent and mitigate the most urgent issues, as well as find opportunities for the greatest positive impact. Download.

Please visit the Tools and Resources webpage to access all material issued by the Global Compact.

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EVENTS

1. The Responsibility to Respect Human Rights, the UN Protect-Respect-Remedy Framework and the Draft Guiding Principles (18 February, Webinar)
– OPEN INVITATION – This 1 hour webinar will introduce the UN Protect-Respect-Remedy Framework for business and human rights and the Draft Guiding Principles, and will elaborate on their relevance for the Global Compact, especially principles 1 and 2. There will be opportunities to ask questions and make comments.

The webinar will begin at 10am EST. To register for the event contact Alyse Richmond (richmonda@un.org).
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Published 3 February 2011

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