September 2023 marked eight years since the world embraced the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs, also known as the Global Goals, reflect a shared objective and ambition across all countries to end poverty and hunger everywhere, to combat inequalities within and among countries, to build peaceful, just, and inclusive societies, to protect human rights and promote gender equality and to ensure the lasting protection of the planet and its natural resources by 2030.

What began with a few flags in the Netherlands in 2020 has grown to more than 1'000 flags being raised worldwide in the past years by businesses, NGOs, municipalities, universities, libraries, and other civil society organisations. In 2023, more UN Global Compact Local Networks than ever joined the global movement. With great pleasure, we also invited organisations in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Austria to participate this year in the SDG Flag campaign.

During the week the 25th of September, the SDG flag was displayed on many organisational premises and also had a strong presence on LinkedIn and Twitter (check the hashtag #togetherfortheSDGs). It was inspiring to witness the diverse approaches taken by these organisations to leverage this opportunity for conveying their sustainability goals, coordinating staff engagement activities, or hosting community events aimed at raising awareness about the SDGs and the Agenda 2030.

Here are some impressions of the SDG Flag Day from our participants and partners in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. We would like to thank everyone who supported this initiative. We look forward to the next year!

Would you like to include your images? Please email us and we will gladly add it to our gallery: info@globalcompact.ch

What's next?

Raising a flag is not enough. Only 18% of the SDGs are on track or have been achieved, while 15% of the goals are seeing a reversal in progress and over two-thirds of the goals are currently seeing “limited or no progress.” Despite this alarming development, none of the objectives are beyond our reach but we need to intensify the efforts. This section provides you with an overview of the programmes and resources that the UN Global Compact offers you, if you would like to learn more and continue raising awareness on the SDGs:

• Join the Forward Faster initiative where companies are guided on where to make the biggest, fastest impact before 2030
• Embed SDG-aligned practices into your business operations and across the value chain by joining one of our six-month Accelerator programmes (only for participating companies of the UN Global Compact)
• Visit our SDG Focus Area for more guidance and resources to further align and scale up action for the SDGs
• Find out more about joining the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein for further opportunities and to connect with peers and experts

The tower project "Ich, die Zukunft” (in English: “I, the Future") is an exhibition, dialogue platform, and meeting place where various events are held over the course of 17 weeks (standing for the 17 SDGs) to address relevant sustainability topics. In addition, visitors can enjoy the spectacular view of the surrounding mountains from the observation deck at the top of the tower on the 10th floor.

During the exhibition, visitors experience insights and food for thought on biodiversity, society and generations, economy and growth, regionality, food and agriculture, as well as Liechtenstein's sustainability goals. Almost daily, additional events take place where various organisations, associations, and companies host discussions, lectures, and social events to facilitate the exchange of information.

The UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein had the pleasure of hosting several events on the importance of sustainability in the private sector.

On Friday, June 24 we explored how businesses, both SMEs and large companies, can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to foster a more sustainable and inclusive economy. The event was an open dialogue, where attendees had the opportunity to delve into the topic, ask critical questions, and gain valuable insights. The session featured representatives from the UNGC participants LGT and Liebherr, who shared their sustainability journeys, providing firsthand accounts of their experiences and the challenges they encountered while implementing responsible business practices.

On Saturday we organized an interactive event where the public was invited to learn more about sustainability and the SDGs. Visitors of all ages were welcomed to immerse themselves in various activities, games, quizzes, and even a friendly competition. The event provided an enjoyable platform for people to learn more about sustainability in an approachable and engaging way. The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of sustainability and the role that individuals can play in achieving the SDGs.

The activities showcased the interconnectedness of the SDGs and how their achievement can positively impact our planet and society. The event served as a reminder that sustainability is not just an abstract concept but something that can be integrated into our daily lives. Watch our Instagram reel for more insights.

It was a pleasure and an honour for our network to be part of "Ich, die Zukunft'. Projects and events like this not only raise awareness of the importance of sustainability, but also serve as catalysts for collaboration and knowledge sharing between companies, associations, and society.

We are excited to be back at the Liechtenstein tower on July 19, 2023 for another evening session targeted at businesses.

Let us all be inspired by this tower and continue to work together to create a more sustainable and inclusive world for the benefit of present and future generations. Together, we can make a difference!

Annual Report: Highlighting Past Activities and Events

The assembly started off with the presentation of the Annual Report, which summarized our many activities and events of the previous year. The report showcased the dedication of our network in offering various insightful programmes and events for our participants: from interactive Accelerator Programmes, insightful Academy e-learnings and event series to different peer learning groups and numberous fruitful collaborations.

Revision of Statutes: Shaping Our Governance and Voting on Membership Fees

As a responsible organisation, we recognized the need to adapt to the changing landscape. Therefore, the revision of our statutes was a significant point on the agenda to ensure that our governance structure remains sustainable and capable of meeting the evolving needs of our network.

In addition, the general assembly also discussed and voted on the revised membership fee structure. The adjustment of fees was a result of the merger of the two engagement levels (signatory and participant) and the expanded access to all programmes and will support global strategic investments in programmes and initiatives and fund the UN Global Compact more equitably.

Financial Statements 2022 and Budget 2023: Presentation and Voting

During the assembly we closely reviewed the financial statements for 2022, taking into account the income, expenses, and overall financial health of our organisation. Transparency and accountability are crucial to our organisation which is why an additional financial audit conducted by PwC Switzerland was shared. Following the presentation of the numbers, all participants were given the chance to ask questions or express concerns before voting on the financial statements and budget.

Board Election: New Faces and Sad Goodbyes

As part of the general assembly our participants conducted elections to form our local network's board of directors. This moment marked a significant transition, as five new leaders joined our board to guide our organisation in the future. Their commitmment, expertise, and fresh perspectives will undoubtedly contribute to our continued success in promoting sustainability and driving positive change in Switzerland, Liechtenstein and beyond.

We would like to warmly welcome the following people to the board of the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein:

Adrienne Williams | Group Vice President, Head of Corporate Responsibility | ABB

Carrie Scott | Head, Sustainability and ESG Office | Novartis

Florian Strasser | Group CEO & Chairman | GWF AG

Nadia Kaddouri | Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer | Swissport

Stefania Lallai | Vice President Sustainability Cargo Division | MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company

We also had to say goodbye to three longstanding board members who made the difficult decision to step down. Their dedication, impactful contributions, and tireless efforts played a vital role in shaping our organisation and our initiatives. A big thank you to:

Caroline Portmann | Head Sustainability Public Policy | Credit Suisse | appointed 2015

Marina Prada | Head Sustainability Performance | Syngenta Crop Protection AG | appointed 2018

Matthew Kilgarriff | Director of Corporate Social Responsibility | Richemont International SA | appointed 2014

Outlook: Planned Activities and Events 2023

The last point of the agenda was an outlook of the current and planned activities for 2023. The Secretariat team shared the latest information on the global strategy of the UN Global Compact and gave insights on different activites and events happening on a global level such as the new Communication on Progress (CoP) and the Leader Summit.

Furthermore, the team gave a quick overview of the current focus areas and an outlook of the current and upcoming events. Some of the highlighted events and initiatives are listed in the slider below. For the full event list, please visit our event page.

Exchange and Reception: Participant Stories and Inspiration

After the official part of the General Assembly, the participants were invited to engage in an interactive session where Florian Klingel from Skat Consulting, Nadia Kaddouri from Swissport and Franics Froborg from Zühlke Group shared insights on challenges companies face when it comes to their sustainability transition. It was a thought-provoking discussion with many valuable inputs and questions from the audience that also helped the board and secretariat team to better understand where we can adjust our offerings to meet the needs of our participants.

The General Assembly concluded on a joyous note with an apéro riche, where participants had the opportunity to connect and network. Sharing stories with like-minded people, exchanging ideas, and reaffirming our commitment inspired everyone to continue their mission of pursuiting a more sustainable and inclusive future.

We would like to thank everyone who attended our General Assembly! We look forward to continue working with all of you.

The multinational construction company Hilti, shares how they use their recently created solar park to reduce CO2 and create more benefits for employees.

Hilti takes the climate change challenge seriously

Head of Corporate Sustainability at Hilti, Peter Rupp shares: “Why are we investing our resources in solar energy? Simply because it is good for the environment, highly motivating for our employees, and it typically comes with a good business case. This will benefit both the environment and our team members. Hence, we highly appreciate the abundant solar resource and plan to increase the usage of green energy in a future.”

Hilti takes the challenge of climate change seriously, supporting a secure and sustainable future for all. Recently, we elevated our climate ambitions to an even higher level, committing to the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi). We made this significant promise because we want to contribute to the construction industry’s transformation to net zero and to support our customers in the race to decrease their carbon footprint. Pledging to set both, short- and long-term targets, our commitment dovetails with our efforts as a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, which we joined more than 15 years ago.

Operating in construction, Hilti has provided solutions and tools for construction professionals in more than 120 countries around the globe for over 80 years. We serve society through our industry, which provides people with the very basic need of a roof over their head. But construction is also known to generate around 40 percent of the world’s carbon footprint. We recognize this problem and we are actively working to decrease our carbon emissions.

CO2 reduction and green energy at Hilti

It's a tall order, to be sure. How do we resolve this need in our energy consumption strategy while also serving our employees? Easy. It’s very much in line with Hilti’s environmental values, a fact that attracts professionals who share our sustainability values, making them direct participants in our efforts to make construction better.

We continuously reduce our direct CO2-emissions through efficiency measures, by using green electricity and, where possible, climate-friendly heating alternatives. Over the last two years, we have doubled our installed worldwide solar capacity every year, and we will continue to do so in the future. In areas where reducing energy consumption is not feasible, we aim to replace current energy sources with greener alternatives. Since 2020 we have been in the process of converting our global vehicle fleet to run on more environmentally friendly technologies, such as electricity, and we are constantly increasing the quantity of our PV systems.

Solar energy to engage in sustainability and offer eco-friendly employee benefits

With an eye towards both the environment and our employees, Hilti recently installed 88 new charging stations for electric vehicles, fueled by the sun, at corporate headquarters in Schaan, Liechtenstein. Since January 2023, our colleagues have been able to charge their e-vehicles at no cost. At any one time, the charging stations situated in Hilti’s HQ parking garage are generally two-thirds full.

We have also created a local Microsoft Teams-based internal community of electrical vehicles users to make charging station usage even more efficient. This community helps to prevent charging bottlenecks, shares user insights and increases the engagement rate of our employees in sustainability, giving them an additional benefit.

100% green electricity for local needs

Our new solar park is the largest in Liechtenstein. More than 4600 solar modules are installed on an area the size of 1.5 football fields. The system is installed on the roofs of the Hilti parking garage and the Hilti Innovation Center (IC), as well as on an open area next to the IC. With a total output of around 1.7 MWp, the generated electricity corresponds to the electricity consumed by approximately 700 households.

All of this green energy is used by the company and covers about 10% of the total energy demand at headquarters. The remaining amount is exclusively covered by certified green electricity, which we have sourced for all Hilti locations worldwide since 2020. This PV initiative is part of the green mobility concept that offers environmentally friendly alternatives for our employees to commute to work, for example by using bicycles, electric bikes, public transportation or carpooling.

Author Olga Zharkova

Corporate Communications

Hilti Group | olga.zharkova@hilti.com

About Hilti The Hilti Group supplies the worldwide construction and energy industries with technologically leading products, systems, software and services. With about 32,000 team members in over 120 countries the company stands for direct customer relationships, quality and innovation. Hilti generated annual sales of more than CHF 6.3 billion in 2022. The headquarters of the Hilti Group have been located in Schaan, Liechtenstein, since its founding in 1941. The company is privately owned by the Martin Hilti Family Trust, which ensures its long-term continuity. The Hilti Group’s strategic orientation is based on a caring and performance-oriented culture and the goals of creating enthusiastic customers and building a better future.

The new targets set at COP15 declared for financial firms to disclose their biodiversity footprint and most significantly Target 15 of the GBF (Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework) states that financial institutions should "Regularly monitor, assess, and transparently disclose their risks, dependencies and impacts (...) along their operations, supply and value chains and portfolios".

With the emergence of these new frameworks and nature markets, what are the opportunities for the private sector? There is huge demand from financial institutions and investors who don’t have an auditable way to invest in nature. What’s required is the emergence of nature-based solutions focusing on alleviating the risk, that can’t be eliminated, using a standardised metric framework. Increasing transparency on supply chain impact on nature loss will give investors and corporations the opportunity to accurately target opportunities to increase biodiversity, and mitigate the risk.

Technological advances allow us to easily declare climate and nature risk through asset-based geolocation, from emerging startups such as Quantifying Nature and other financial risk frameworks such as the TNFD. Advances in geo spatial data allow us to accurately identify critical landscapes in need of urgent funding and channel it at scale. According to Juha Siikamäki, Chief Economist at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) “we need to figure out how to scale up the projects and drive down the transaction costs.”(Environmental Finance, 2023).

,THE ARK is one solution for the public and private sector to accurately target and mitigate business supply chain risk at scale. THE ARK’s access to the conservation industry makes it a portal to a multitude of conservation engagements categorised by sector, geography, SDG, ESG and more.

Biodiversity engagements and their metrics vary depending on the landscape and environment, however the framework enables baselines and targets to be set by conservationists and investors to construct their global project portfolio and track their performance. Accurate and verified real time data allows corporations and organisations to account for biodiversity gain, adjust corporate operations and contribute before the harm occurs. Using various temporal, numeric and spatial data feeds THE ARK can take areas such as palm oil plantations and evaluate its nature impact over time and propose opportunities to mitigate or adapt.

At the recent launch of the GAEA (Giving to Amplify Earth Action) initiative in Davos, Per Heggenes, Chief Executive Officer, IKEA Foundation, said ‘The global figure of philanthropic capital for climate mitigation currently stands under 2% and that is not acceptable. But this is also a massive opportunity to leverage philanthropic giving for climate action.' THE ARK provides a solution by offering investments in philanthropy but also different asset classes such as blended finance.

In order for the financial sector to actively and positively engage in reducing biodiversity loss, tackle climate change and reach net zero by 2050, it will require the collaboration of major philanthropists, public and private sector organisations to mobilise mainstream finance direct to grass roots, credible conservationists at scale.The issue of biodiversity loss is immediate and devastating with species being wiped out daily, the reduction in loss requires the private sector and philanthropists to act now.

Author Qasim Abbas

Co-Founder THE ARK | LinkedIn

More about THE ARK

Website: www.theark.co

Video: www.theark.co/video

In regard to the recent public discussions around Migros’ participation in the UN Global Compact, we would like to confirm that Migros has been a participant of the UN Global Compact Switzerland & Liechtenstein in the past. However, in 2019 Migros decided to not renew their participation due to cost reasons. Ever since Migros has not been a participating member of the UN Global Compact.

About the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein We seek to promote responsible business practices by stimulating multi-stakeholder dialogue, providing knowledge, tools and mutual learning for businesses in Switzerland and Liechtenstein to engage in corporate responsibility and sustainability. We support companies to align their corporate strategies and operations with the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption and to take actions to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Contact

Antonio Hautle Executive Director UN Global Compact Switzerland & Liechtenstein

antonio.hautle@globalcompact.ch

The Tech for Sustainability Circle - a collaboration between Microsoft Switzerland, EY Switzerland and the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland and Liechtenstein - published a white paper focusing on the three defined themes in scope “Green Growth”, “Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI)” and “Impact Measurement” and is intended to trigger further discussions and actions for a sustainable Switzerland enabled by technology.

Switzerland's success in the global economy increasingly depends on its ability to drive datadriven value creation and unlock new revenue streams from digital products and services. However, data and computing power will not only accelerate digital transformation to create sustainable economic and social growth, but also provide the critical infrastructure for green transformation. This is a unique opportunity for Switzerland, as it can build on a strong corporate sector with many technological and digital pioneers, and sustainability is anchored in the country.

The white paper highlights how technology plays a pivotal role in achieving the sustainable development goals and summarizes key takeaways and calls for actions in regards to the current and future state of Green Growth in Switzerland, responsible AI and the importance of impact measurement.

Some of the calls for actions include:

• Switzerland to define policies, frameworks and support for relevant actors from the public, private and academic sectors that focus on the role of technology to achieve the defined 2030 and 2050 sustainability goals for Green Growth.
• Technology and the Sustainability are bound together, and as such, sustainability impacts of AI solutions and technological progress should be considered. To survive and thrive, organizations will have to put sustainability at the heart of their tech strategy, and tech at the heart of their sustainability journey.
• Standardized impact measurement processes and common sustainability reporting standards must be developed as soon as possible to allow for dedicated action and comparison across different sectors and companies.

About the Tech for Sustainability Circle

Seizing green opportunities requires collaboration between industries, the private and the public sectors. For this reason, Microsoft Switzerland, EY Switzerland and UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein founded in 2021 the Tech for Sustainability Circle - an initiative to bring together organizations, boost transparency and measurement, and nurture dialogue between the private and public sectors, academia, and governmental organizations. Learn more: Tech for Sustainability (microsoft.com)

We are all directly affected by the biodiversity crisis. Our different ecosystems supply us with food, raw materials and energy – but only if they are intact. Loss of biodiversity therefore threatens not only our livelihood, but also poses a major risk for businesses. To lay the foundation to identify and quantify the associated risks at an early stage – Swiss Sustainable Finance (SSF) and the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein (GCNSL) are collaborating with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosure (TNFD). They established a Swiss TNFD consultation group to promote the TNFD frameworks for identifying nature-related risks in Switzerland and to actively support their continuous development.

The financial risk of biodiversity loss

Companies – not just in the financial services industry, but in other sectors too – do not have the necessary information to fully understand how the loss of biodiversity can impact their business activity and the resulting financial risks over the longer term. SSF CEO Sabine Döbeli comments: “Although biodiversity issues are remarkably well documented, financial institutions and companies still lack suitable data records and instruments to enable them to effectively incorporate nature-related risks and opportunities into their strategic planning and risk management, as well as their financing and investment decisions. By setting up the Swiss TNFD consultation group, Swiss Sustainable Finance is laying the groundwork with the intention of raising awareness of the topic within the financial services industry and supporting stakeholders in performing the necessary risk assessment.”

However, the financial industry can only evaluate the associated risks if they have meaningful and comparable information available on the businesses they finance. The cooperation with GCNSL ensures that companies across all sectors have access to the same level of knowledge. “The purpose of local TNFD consultation groups is to raise awareness of the TNFD’s work and increase the number of institutions providing feedback on the beta version of the framework – through pilot testing as well. Over the longer term, local consultation groups play a pivotal role in disseminating the TNFD framework,” explains Antonio Hautle, Executive Director of GCNSL.

The Swiss consultation group

The objectives of the Swiss consultation group were presented at an event organised as part of the Building Bridges Week in Geneva. Representatives from the State Secretariat for International Finance (SIF), SSF, GCNSL, UBS, Nestlé and the World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD) discussed approaches for collecting the relevant data and studied examples of how such risks can be quantified, and how promoting biodiversity creates opportunities for all players in a supply chain. The TNFD was established in June 2021 with the aim of developing and providing a risk management and disclosure framework for organisations. TNFD is supported by G7 and G20 leaders and a wide range of market participants, and has a market-led taskforce of 34 members from business and finance, representing sectors with high natural risks on all continents, and more than 18 trillion US dollars in assets under management.

Contact:

Sabine Döbeli, CEO Swiss Sustainable Finance

+41 44 515 60 52

sabine.doebeli@sustainablefinance.ch

www.sustainablefinance.ch

Antonio Hautle, Executive Director UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein

+41 44 421 35 75 antonio.hautle@globalcompact.ch www.globalcompact.ch

Swiss Sustainable Finance (SSF) The mission of Swiss Sustainable Finance (SSF) is to strengthen Switzerland’s position as a leading voice and actor in sustainable finance, thereby contributing to a sustainable and prosperous economy. The association, founded in 2014, has representative offices in Zurich, Geneva and Lugano. Currently, SSF unites over 210 members and network partners from financial service providers, investors, universities and business schools, public-sector entities and other interested organisations. Through research, capacity-building and the development of practical tools and supportive frameworks, SSF fosters the integration of sustainability factors into all financial services. An overview of SSF’s current members and partners can be found on its website: ,sustainablefinance.ch

UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein The UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein (GCNSL) is the official platform of the UN Global Compact in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. We seek to mobilize and motivate businesses to engage in corporate responsibility and sustainability. We support companies in aligning their corporate strategies, operations and their culture with the UN Global Compact Ten Principles (human rights, labor standards, environment, anti-corruption) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The study coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Children's Rights and Business Principles (CRBP). Based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the CRBP highlight the breadth of potential impacts for businesses on children and children's rights and provide guidance for businesses on how to fulfil their responsibility to respect children's rights.

Challenges for children’s rights in business

Companies see various challenges and opportunities for advancing children’s rights and most of them are related to tackling child labor risks. While companies are aware of child labor risks, interview partners report that insufficient capacity and expertise are key obstacles to effectively prohibiting child labor in value chains.

“The main obstacle to advancing children’s rights in companies is the perceived low relevance of children’s rights to the company.”

The current study highlights the diverse impacts of companies on children and their rights - both in their supply chains and in their own business activities in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. It is particularly striking that companies are mostly unaware of the breadth of child rights issues that may be relevant to them. Rather, they reduce children's rights in the value chain to the fight against child labour and made no connection to other commitments relevant to children's rights, such as in the environmental sector or family friendliness.

Many companies indicate that they lack the capacities and knowledge to more deeply engage on children’s rights issues. In terms of opportunities, the survey responses suggest that gaining additional expertise through training or collaborations with expert organizations on children’s rights is considered most impactful.

Key insights

1. Most companies do not engage specifically with children’s rights but are generally committed to human rights.
2. Companies’ awareness of children’s rights goes beyond child labor. However, in corporate policies, children’s rights are mostly reduced to child labor in the value chain.
3. Companies prioritize three children’s rights and business principles: elimination of child labor, product safety, and safety of children on-site and in business facilities. Overall, companies have limited awareness of the full range of children’s rights in business.
4. Most corporate activities in relation to children are philanthropic in nature. These activities focus mostly on providing for children (e.g., education or healthcare), and less on the protection and participation of children.
5. Tools and management systems to implement children’s rights in business (e.g., governance, monitoring, remediation) require further development.
6. Emerging due diligence legislations raise companies’ awareness of children’s rights and create momentum for advancing children's rights in business.

The study was conducted by the Geneva Center for Business and Human Rights and the Centre for Children's Rights Studies at the University of Geneva. The results are based on a desk analysis of publicly available documents from 60 companies, an online survey with 54 participating companies and 15 in-depth interviews.

Download the whole report here.

With great pleasure, we invite you to participate in the third edition of the SDG Flag Campaign taking place on the 23rd of September 2022. On the 23rd, it will be seven years since the world embraced the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 17 goals that guide us towards a more inclusive, just and sustainable society by 2030. The SDGs are vital for a recovery that leads to greener, more inclusive economies and stronger, more resilient societies. What began with a few hundred flags in The Netherlands has grown to 1000+ flags being raised in 2021 by businesses, NGOs, municipalities, universities, libraries and other civil society organizations internationally. By participating in the SDG Flag campaign, you simultaneously raise awareness as well as externally express your commitment towards the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda.

This year, we would like to invite the companies in our Swiss Global Compact Local Network to take part and to raise a virtual flag for the SDGs. This can be used as an opportunity to communicate any new sustainability plans, ambitions and targets or any other action that is appropriate to your company. It can further simply be used as an opportunity to recommit yourself and your company to achieving the SDGs. Last year, there were over 1000+ SDG flags raised internationally.

Heineken took the campaign opportunity to raise 60+ flags at their premises internationally and had this to say, “Many of our breweries around the world raised the SDG flag simultaneously and actively engaged their employees and other stakeholders, to celebrate what has been achieved so far but, more importantly, to remind us all that we still have so much more to do in jointly tackling the huge challenges we face as a society.”

If you would like to participate in this year's SDG Flag Day, you can access the Social Media Cards here.

This year, with the aim to encourage individual action, the campaign has teamed up with AWorld, the official app in support of the UN ACTNOW initiative. AWorld is a mobile application that guides and incentivizes people to live sustainably by measuring their impact and footprint. Users can improve their habits to become an active part in the global challenge towards a healthier and sustainable world. To take part in the challenge, you can download the AWorld application from your mobile app store, and join the SDG Flag Movement Team by clicking this link, or scanning the QR code to the right. You will then be able to join the SDG Flag Challenge within the team where you can log all the sustainable actions you take, as well as logging your participation in the SDG Flag Day. The challenge will run from 1 to 27 September and it is open for any and everyone to join. We therefore encourage you to get your colleagues, local organizations and friends involved. At the end of the challenge we will highlight those individuals who are leading the way.

We strive for a strong online presence; therefore we ask that you use the hashtag #togetherfortheSDGs when posting your virtual SDG flag. More information on the campaign, the AWorld challenge and examples of social media communication can be found on the SDG Netherlands website.

We look forward to seeing you raise your (virtual) flag on the 23rd of September!

Are you driving ambitious corporate action for the Sustainable Development Goals and looking for the latest tools and resources? Are you new to the topic of corporate sustainability and not quite sure where to begin? No matter where you are on your sustainability journey, the UN Global Compact Academy provides you with the skills and knowledge you need to move your company further in implementing the SDGs and the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact.

Who is it for?

Aligned with the UN Global Compact 2023 Strategy, the Academy is offered to all employees of the 15,000 companies participating in the UN Global Compact, including MNCs and SMEs. Participants of the Academy span across levels of seniority and corporate functions depending on the topic and type of sessions.

What’s available?

Choose from a wide range of innovative learning experiences on the topics of climate change, human rights, labor, SDG integration and more. Available in on-demand or live formats, the Academy offers new insights and best practices from world-class leaders, changemakers and practitioners on today’s most pressing sustainability issues. Learn at your own pace with e-learning courses, guided learning paths and more that will help you learn key sustainability concepts, anytime, anywhere.

Learning experiences

What learners are saying

Over 90% of users would recommend the UN Global Compact Academy to their colleagues. Here is what learners have been saying:

“We have gained actionable knowledge in a way that we can implement in our daily operations.”

“Excellent content that offers both learning and practical tools!”

“The Academy courses help me to understand my role in driving effective change as part of our organizational transformation.”

“Valuable information and the teaching format was easy to follow. I was able to improve my understanding and skills, and have recommended the UN Global Compact Academy to colleagues.”

Ready to explore the Academy?

Join us today to advance your sustainability journey! If you’re already a participant of the UN Global Compact, you can request your complimentary account at unglobalcompact.org/academy.

Not yet a participant of the UN Global Compact? We invite you to sample one of our popular e-learning courses like ,Setting science-based targets or ,Future-proofing your small and medium-sized enterprise for free. Learn more about how to join the UN Global Compact here.

Do you have questions about the UN Global Compact Academy? Contact the Academy team at academy@unglobalcompact.org.

Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) are the beating heart of the world’s economy: making up 90% of all businesses and accounting for around 70% of total employment and 50% of GDP globally. As such, these businesses have an essential role to play in realising the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At SkyCell, we are a Swiss SME and part of the pharmaceutical value chain, enabling the transport of temperature-sensitive medication around the world. With global operations, partners and clients, establishing consistent principles to underpin our work is key. The Ten Principles of the Global Compact, including human rights protection, anti-corruption policies and environmental protection were already built into our values system. The Network promotes responsible business practices - something which has been a cornerstone of the SkyCell story from day one - and we are fundamentally aligned with its goals. We’re incredibly proud to be a member and supporting its work to enable truly sustainable growth.

Joining the network made perfect sense for SkyCell. First and foremost, it allows us to engage with our peers and learn from others: as an SME, the network provides a crucial learning platform, giving us access to expertise which would otherwise be out of reach for SMEs.

At SkyCell, we are deeply committed to creating a more sustainable future. As part of the Paris Climate Accords, we have agreed to climate change mitigation targets in line with the 1.5°C scenarios. Our business practices are based on circular economy principles: we manage the full life cycles of our pharmaceutical containers ensuring minimum waste and maximum reusability. We’ve eliminated redundant logistics procedures and through our precision engineered products have reduced CO2 emissions by up to 50%, compared to other solutions. To live up to the commitments we have made by joining the UN Global Compact, we have launched several initiatives, including a whistleblower policy which allows for the anonymous reporting of any misconduct. In addition, we have rolled out a supplier Code of Conduct, to ensure our suppliers comply with the values we hold.

Sustainability isn’t just good for morals, it’s good for business. Actions taken by SMEs in this regard are critical: our collective action can have a major impact and we actively support our peers in engaging with the UN Global Compact, to ensure The Ten Principles become increasingly commonplace across the business community. By embedding sustainable practices into every facet of SkyCell, we’ve created efficiencies that significantly reduce costs for partners, as well as allowing us to reach new customers and create a competitive advantage. This is well aligned with the Global Compact Network’s aims to not only create a fairer, more sustainable world, but also to build stronger, more capable businesses. As we celebrate MSME Day today, we will continue to support the efforts of the Global Compact Network, in its mission to support small companies to make a big difference in creating social and environmental justice globally.

Firmenich is the world’s largest privately owned fragrance and taste company, a business-to-business enterprise specialized in the research, creation, and manufacture of perfumes, flavors and ingredients. As creators of emotions through the senses of taste and smell, touching over four billion people every day, we strive to provide essential solutions that rise to the challenges of a post-pandemic world, for our customers and all our stakeholders: our people, the planet, and society. We are acutely aware that global action is needed to address climate urgency and preserve the planet’s threatened #biodiversity.

Our ESG strategy 2030 focuses on three streams in which we can make the biggest difference: Acting on Climate Change, Embracing Nature, and Caring about People. Every day, guided by science-based targets, we are acting to minimize our impact on climate and aim to lead our industry towards #NetZero before 2040. Conducting our business in a way that preserves the environment is paramount for Firmenich. We uphold responsible environmental management practices at our facilities worldwide and strive to reach and maintain the highest standards of care.

Since 2020, all Firmenich operations worldwide have been using 100% renewable electricity. Our commitment extends beyond our direct operations to our value chain, through our Responsible Sourcing Policy and Green Procurement Policy. One of the additional ways in which we contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and consumption of water is by contributing to diet transformation and more meat-free alternatives, without compromising taste. We continuously innovate to help create a more sustainable food system for all.

This is but one example of the ways we seek to have a positive impact for the environment. And we value third-party assessment of our performance. In 2021, Firmenich has been awarded a fourth consecutive Triple “A” by CDP -- one of only two companies across all business sectors to achieve this -- for the Group’s leadership in transparency and action on climate change, water security and forestry protection

More in Firmenich's #ESG report: https://www.firmenich.com/sustainability/esg-report

Learn more about our #PlantProteins here: https://www.firmenich.com/taste-and-beyond/nutrition-and-wellbeing/meat-dairy-analogs

#WeAreFirmenich #ForGoodNaturally #ESG

World Ocean Day reminds us that the world’s oceans, the earth’s climate, and the people’s futures will always be united as one. As part of its participation in 2022 World Ocean Day, Sallaum Lines has signed the 30x30 petition which calls on world leaders to safeguard at least 30% of the ocean by 2030. This global movement is a step forward towards achieving a healthy climate and a blue planet for all.

The shipping line’s environmental strategies along with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Goals act as the blueprint for achieving a better future. As part of its commitment to sustainability, Sallaum Lines recently became a member of the United Nations Global Compact, which calls businesses to connect strategies with universal principles and take action to advance their goals.

Sallaum Lines decided to join this corporate sustainability initiative in contribution to improving the environmental, labor, human rights, and corruption situations. We hope that taking this promising step allows the shipping line to reach out to a larger audience, promote its sustainability values, and lay down the foundations for long-term success.

Le Pacte relatif aux droits économiques, sociaux et culturels

En ratifiant le Pacte relatif aux droits économiques, sociaux et culturels (Pacte I), la Suisse s’est engagée à assurer progressivement les droits garantis par ce Pacte. Le Pacte fait partie des accords internationaux majeurs en matière de protection des droits de l’homme.

Recommandations relatives aux droits économiques

En 2019, le Comité onusien en charge du Pacte I a émis des recommandations pour la Suisse concernant un certain nombre de droits économiques comme par exemple la fiscalité et la politique commerciale, le changement climatique, le respect des droits de l’homme par les entreprises, la discrimination et le harcèlement sur le lieu de travail, l’établissement d’un salaire minimum et l’intégration dans le marché du travail des travailleurs âgés et des personnes handicapées.

Progrès réalisés

Lors du prochain rapport à l’ONU, la Suisse pourra faire état de certaines avancées. Concernant l’évasion fiscale, la Suisse lutte contre la fraude et l'évasion fiscale dans le cadre d’accords internationaux. Par rapport à la thématique des entreprises et des droits de l’homme, une obligation de rapport sur les questions non financières et des obligations de diligence et de rapport dans les domaines des minerais de conflit et du travail des enfants est entrée en vigueur en 2022.

Concernant la politique climatique, suite au refus de la révision de la loi sur le CO2 en juin 2021, le Conseil fédéral a ouvert la consultation concernant la loi révisée sur le CO2. Cette révision vise à atteindre l’objectif climatique fixé pour 2030. Les caisses de pension, les entreprises d’assurances suisses, les banques et les sociétés de gestion d'actifs peuvent notamment faire analyser la compatibilité climatique de leurs portefeuilles d’actions et d’obligations.

Pour l’égalité salariale, des dispositions législatives sont entrées en vigueur en 2020 introduisant l’obligation d’une analyse de l’égalité salariale pour les employeurs à partir de 100 salariés. La Charte pour l'égalité salariale dans la fonction publique a en outre été ouverte aux entreprises semi-publiques. Par rapport au salaire minimum, certains cantons l’ont instauré ou planifié (NE, JU, GE, BS, TI).

Quant au harcèlement et à la discrimination sur le lieu de travail, un Message de ratification de la convention n° 190 de l’Organisation internationale du travail sera transmise au Parlement en 2022. Afin de lutter contre le harcèlement sexuel, la Confédération a aussi publié des brochures d’information. Pour favoriser l’intégration des seniors dans le marché du travail, le Conseil fédéral a décidé de mesures en 2019 pour augmenter leur compétitivité sur le marché du travail.

Le rôle des entreprises

La mise en œuvre du Pacte I ONU doit être effectuée par l’Etat. Aujourd’hui, il est toutefois admis que les entreprises jouent un rôle important dans la réalisation des droits de l’homme p.ex. en ce qui concerne la santé, la sécurité sociale, le droit au travail et le droit à des conditions de travail justes et favorables, ainsi que le droit de former des syndicats et de s’y affilier. De par leurs politiques de gestion du personnel, leurs stratégies de durabilité et leur diligence en matière de droits de l’homme, les entreprises contribuent à l’effort de la Suisse pour la mise en œuvre du Pacte I. Le respect des droits économiques doit être garanti par l’Etat, mais la mise en œuvre se fait à tous les niveaux de la société.

Afin d’informer et sensibiliser les entreprises et le grand public, le Secrétariat d’Etat à l’économie organise des workshops sur les thèmes de l’égalité salariale, la garde des enfants et la lutte contre la pauvreté le 5 mai 2022. Pour plus d’informations : Suivi des recommandations du Pacte I de l'ONU (admin.ch)

Today is International Women’s Day and with it comes the high-level stocktaking at the annual Commission on the Status of Women.

Since the start of the pandemic, things have clearly been different. We have not been able to go to stock exchanges and physically ring the bell to mark the important role of the financial sector to drive gender equality. We have not been able to take these issues to the streets and march for our rights together with fellow women from our communities. And most importantly – we have not been able to celebrate with family members, friends and dear ones lost due to the pandemic. So what can we do?

We can raise our voices to acknowledge the heightened urgency to act as COVID-19 has illuminated the systemic barriers and entrenched gender norms that must be overcome. We can gather virtually and share solutions together with colleagues that in other circumstances wouldn’t have the time or resources to travel to New York and share their thoughts at high-level events at UN Headquarters. And we can find creative ways to recognize fellow women that inspire us to push boundaries and motivate us in our daily struggles.

What’s clear is that the talents, perspectives and leadership of all women are required to solve the world’s biggest challenges — from tackling climate change to rebuilding the economy after the pandemic. Women’s representation and leadership can’t just be discussed in March, but most be prioritized every day, all year long, until true gender balance is reached and inclusive decision-making becomes the norm.

In the past two years, through the Target Gender Equality initiative we supported over 800 companies – from MNCs to SMEs – to set and meet ambitious targets for women’s representation and leadership. The initiative has been implemented by Global Compact Local Networks across all regions.

This year, we are again increasing the geographic scale with Target Gender Equality being implemented in over 50 countries, including Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Key for success is the ability to provide room for unpacking issues of local importance as many global challenges require local solutions. We hope you will be able to join us virtually at TARGET GENDER EQUALITY LIVE on March 15 to share your solutions and be inspired by the plans and actions of your Target Gender Equality peers.

We know that identifying an ambitious but realistic target for your company’s context takes time and depends on many internal and external factors. It is encouraging to see that more than 90% of Target Gender Equality participants either have targets for gender equality in place, are adapting existing targets or drafting new targets. Close to 70% of participants reported to have put in place KPIs in order to track progress towards the company's objectives to advance gender equality. Of equal importance, participating companies have committed to hundreds of actions and interventions enabling them to meet their targets. From launching a childcare facility, to tying leadership statistics to new loans, to preparing their female workforce for board positions.

What we have learned is that to make gender equality everyone’s business, we need men to not shy away from these discussions. We need all men to speak up and help their colleagues understand that to be a true sustainability leader you have to champion equality in all its forms. Encourage your male colleagues, team members and supervisors to join us in March to unpack these issues of crucial importance as a first step to recognizing and implementing gender-sensitive practices – not only on International Women’s Day but all year long. We simply cannot wait for 268 years to close the economic gender gap.

Elisabeth Anna Resch forms part of the United Nations Global Compact. Elisabeth previously managed workstreams on human rights and decent work, and is now driving implementation of impact-oriented initiatives with Global Compact Local Networks around the world. Currently, Elisabeth is focused on the global rollout of “Target Gender Equality” - an initiative encouraging corporate target setting for women’s representation and leadership in over 40 countries. Elisabeth was able to be a part of the SDG adoption in 2015 while working at the Executive Office of the Secretary General with Amina Mohammed, then led the development of a new SDG strategy within the Global Compact Network Canada, and gained experience at the World Bank and Global Citizen. In 2021, Elisabeth was recognized for her sustainability leadership as 30 under 30 honoree by GreenBiz. Elisabeth is admitted to the New York State Bar, fluent in German, English and Spanish and is currently learning Swahili. She is based in Santiago, Chile.

As the Head of Risk, Audit and Compliance for an international ecosystem of brands, it’s my job to identify and mitigate potential threats to our people, organization, partners, and clients. As such, I can confirm that the past few years have been turbulent for everyone; the young, the old, workers, students, and everyone in between. All of us have recently experienced some significant disruptions to life as we knew it.

The burden of this turmoil, however, has not affected us all equally. UN data show that violence against women and girls increased during the pandemic. One in four women considered leaving or downshifting their paid employment, versus one in five men. Women lost 64 million jobs and $800 billion in earnings in 2020, around 5% of total jobs held by women, while men lost 3.9%. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Oxfam estimates that 47 million women and girls have been pushed into extreme poverty.

These statistics, though harrowing, can seem far removed from the daily routines of many of us. How could I, working on reports in an office on an ordinary street in Europe, possibly hope to affect the kind of change needed to aid the plight of millions of women around the world? Well, actually, as a woman working in a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) field, I can see plenty of ways that girls and women could benefit from a step change that could begin right here, right now.

State of the Nations

The Covid-19 crisis gave female leaders a platform like never before. Political figures like Jacinda Arden, Tsai-Ing Wen, Sanna Marin and Nicola Sturgeon have been hailed for their acknowledgement of the human cost of the pandemic, and much has been written of their determination to ensure that economic concerns did not overtake their commitment to public services.

Research by Zenger and Folkman, 2020, for the Harvard Business Review explains why women are better leaders during a crisis, with women rated higher than men on all but two of 19 leadership competencies. In the context of the pandemic, one study confirmed that the number of infections and deaths were systematically better in countries led by women, with these findings echoed by another that focused on outcomes in US states with female leaders.

We must therefore ask why, then, do 85% of 115 Covid-19 taskforces from 87 countries have a male majority? Just 3.5% of these taskforces have achieved gender parity.

The answer may lie within the talent pools that the taskforce members are sourced from. Political science, research, policy, technology, and healthcare all suffer from the same problem: they are, or rely on, STEM fields, and there is a dearth of female talent at every level, across every STEM industry.

A 2018 UNESCO report summarizes this issue: worldwide, just 33% of researchers, 28% of engineering graduates, 40% of computer science graduates, and 22% of artificial intelligence (AI) professionals are women. Fewer than one in four researchers in the business sphere are female.

When considering that most university graduates are female – worldwide 41% of women and 36% of men attain a tertiary education, and 44% of PhD graduates are women – suddenly the numbers aren’t adding up. The evidence shows unambiguously that women are intelligent and committed enough to enter these fields, and yet, the “crippling shortage” of STEM professionals persists in nearly every country around the globe.

Where are all the women?

In her groundbreaking book, Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men (2019), Caroline Criado Perez addresses the ‘myth of meritocracy’; the pervasive theory that, regardless of circumstances or obstacles, the best of us will inevitably rise to the top, and that hard work and natural ability will trump bias, wealth, or social class.

Perez explores this myth using a US study of primary school aged children. At age five, both boys and girls are equally as likely to think they can be ‘really, really smart’. By age six however, girls are more likely to describe boys this way, and will actively avoid participation in games they are told are intended for ‘really, really smart’ children.

As children grow, this harmful stereotype is compounded. When asked to draw a picture of ‘a scientist’ at age five, roughly equal numbers of female and male scientists are drawn. By age seven, male scientists significantly outnumber females. By age 14, four times as many male scientists are drawn.

“Even today, in the 21st century, women and girls are being sidelined in science-related fields due to their gender. Women need to know that they have a place in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and that they have a right to share in scientific progress.” - Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General

For the women who do eventually enter STEM fields despite this educational bias, many find their careers marked by the same barriers. UNESCO data show that female researchers, for example, tend to have shorter, less well-paid careers: while women represent one third of all researchers, just 12% of members of national science academies are women, men are invited to speak at scientific conferences twice as often as women, and their research grants are dwarfed by those awarded to men.

A 2021 first-of-its-kind study of over one million patients published in the JAMA Surgery medical journal casts an uncomfortable spotlight on this issue. It found that women are 32% more likely to die, 15% more likely to suffer an adverse outcome, and 11% more likely to be readmitted to hospital after being operated on by a male surgeon versus a female one. Male outcomes did not differ on the basis of the surgeon’s sex.

The study’s co-author, Dr Angela Jerath, said that the findings could not be explained by skill differences in surgeons, “as both sexes undergo the same technical medical training”. Rather, she continues, “implicit sex biases” where surgeons “act on subconscious, deeply ingrained biases, stereotypes and attitudes” or “differences between male and female physician work style, decision-making and judgment” are possible explanations.

It’s clear that the lack of female representation that begins in academia should concern all of us: research is what powers government policy, medical practice, business priorities… in other words, data makes the world go round. But why should the world care that it isn’t spinning on its true axis, even if women are dying unnecessarily?

In short, because holding women back holds the world back. Giving women the space and support to pursue and thrive in STEM careers, to be taken seriously, and to have their contributions valued will inevitably result in better outcomes for everyone. The gender pay gap will narrow, increasing countries’ GDP. Workplaces become more productive and competitive as women gain broader skillsets and become excellent leaders. Even traditionally tough-to-tackle issues like gender-based violence improve when women can support themselves economically.

Change can start today

It’s clear that women are missing from spaces where their contributions could make a world of difference, but how can we redress the balance?

Since the repression of women’s skills and ambitions begins early, a concentrated effort must be made to ensure school-aged girls are given the same chances and encouragement as their male classmates: the damage done to the confidence and self-worth of girls in their formative years creates a domino effect that is nearly impossible to eradicate later. Change must therefore begin with a zero-tolerance approach to sexism and gender bias in schools, but this is just the tip of the iceberg.

It’s often said that seeing is believing, and the more positive female role models girls are exposed to, the more they understand that it is possible for them too to achieve their dreams. A 2020 study in the Frontiers in Psychology journal confirms that exposure to “the professional and personal experiences” of women with “a successful trajectory in STEM fields” is an “optimal” way to encourage girls to not only enter STEM fields, but to thrive.

While we must avoid making women entirely responsible for fixing the injustices they suffer, I believe that women currently working in STEM have a responsibility to make themselves visible. Taking the time to chat about professional and personal experiences with a young neighbor or a junior colleague, offering guidance and advice, or even simply acknowledging that achieving their ambition is not just possible, but probable, could be the start of a virtuous circle that changes one girl’s future.

Those of us who have ‘made it’ into STEM careers, and indeed any career, should always question how we can smooth the road for those who come after. For organizations, this starts with asking women about their lived experiences.

Part of my role at Mantu is the operational management of our Positive Impact department. Launched in 2020, one of our key goals is to ensure diversity and inclusion remain a reality as well as a priority. We are signatories of the UN’s Statement of Support for the Women’s Empowerment Principles, Principle Seven of which is ‘measurement and reporting’. Why? Because we believe in common actions and efforts to bring about change.

We surveyed and interviewed Mantu women in different roles, functions, and departments to gather their feedback on what affects their professional evolution. It’s crucial that data such as this is acted upon and not simply acknowledged; we are using the results to make concrete improvements and to facilitate women’s ascension to management roles and beyond. Conscious of the influence our French origins may have on our company culture and structure, we are also paying particular attention to intersectional and cross-cultural empowerment.

Our commitment to equality extends to our recruitment, onboarding, and promotion practices. All new team members are invited to participate in unconscious bias training, and we have made concentrated efforts to ensure our annual review process is objective, evidence-based, and peer reviewed for every single person working with us. A senior review committee then analyzes aggregated data to ensure no bias or discrimination can enter the process. Our UK entity is BS 76005 certified (BSI Valuing People Diversity and Inclusion), but we adhere to this standard across our global organization.

We want Mantu to be a place where women feel welcome, supported, and valued, but also somewhere that they can find professional, economic, and personal success. Our male colleagues play an extremely important role in making this happen, and we’re mindful to ensure that we all rise together: we believe that when one of us succeeds, we all do.

Fostering this kind of team spirit and collective awareness of the issues at hand helps to facilitate change on a daily basis: we’re witnessing teammates supporting one another, offering to lend a hand, and a general improvement in the camaraderie and morale we all want to see in our workplaces. Change may start with a supportive word or a small policy amendment today, but this seed will grow for generations to come. It’s up to us to water it.

Noémie Moreau began her career with a professional license in engineering processes for chemicals, pharmaceuticals, the environment, and the promotion of agro-resources. She graduated from the Toulouse School of Management with a master’s degree in Business Administration with a Quality Safety and CSR specialization. Noémie joined Mantu in 2016 as an Information Security officer, going on to build its Risk, Audit & Compliance department. In 2020 she assumed responsibility for Mantu’s Positive Impact department, and recently formed the company’s Project Management Office. She defines her daily job as “making everybody’s life easier and more sustainable”.

Every December 10th, the day the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted, we reflect on the achievements made in the field of human rights as well as on the challenges still faced.

One element that has evolved since 2011 when the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) were adopted, is that corporate actors are increasingly expected to ensure that rights are respected throughout their operations. Due diligence is a key instrument available to corporate actors that look to fulfill these responsibilities.

Stakeholder engagement

How due diligence emerged as a cornerstone of corporate responsibility is an interesting example of what can materialize when multiple stakeholders work together. Initially proposed by corporate actors before the UNGPs were adopted, due diligence has been embraced by civil society actors, which use the concept to inform and frame what they expect from companies.

In addition, governments and regulators have been looking to make mandatory human rights due diligence an obligation that companies must fulfill. In terms of due diligence regulation, 2021 has been a defining year that will serve as a foundation and inspiration for the years to come.

Corporate due diligence in 2021

Throughout 2021, we witnessed mandatory human rights due diligence obligations develop and then become applicable. For example, on January 1, 2021, key provisions of the EU Regulation on Supply Chain Due Diligence Obligations for Union Importers of Conflict Minerals started to apply, and countries like Japan and Mexico have started processes that will potentially lead to mandatory human rights due diligence laws. Moreover, laws have been adopted in Norway, Germany, and Switzerland that include due diligence obligations to be observed soon.

The reach of these laws and others being developed goes way beyond jurisdictional boundaries of the countries that implement them — the laws directly target the global value chains of companies’ operations. Considering this, it is not unreasonable to claim that human rights due diligence obligations are becoming a reality across the globe either via the direct actions of regulators or by these expectations being included in contractual obligations.

A reason for optimism

However, history demonstrates that legal obligations do not automatically lead to effective compliance. The 1930 ILO Forced Labour Convention is a striking example of this phenomenon; more than 90 years after the convention’s adoption, the scourge of modern slavery still plagues humanity. Enshrining human rights due diligence in law is only one step in a long and winding road toward making the world fairer and just for right holders. It is the effectiveness of the measures that is the compass to gauge success, not the mere existence of a law.

There is reason for optimism though. Evaluating the efficacy of due diligence processes is a key feature of laws recently adopted in several countries. For companies that aim to comply with these evolving obligations, two things should be front-of-mind: placing the rights of impacted stakeholders at the center of due diligence efforts, particularly when designing compliance strategies, and engaging with stakeholders in an active and adequate manner. Doing so will improve companies’ ability to effectively meet mandatory human rights due diligence expectations.

Dr. Gabriel Webber Ziero, LL.M.

Head of Regulatory Advisory at ECOFACT.

Gabriel is responsible for helping clients prepare and implement compliance strategies that address sustainable finance regulations, for example the EU Sustainability Taxonomy Regulation, as well as the mandatory due diligence obligations like those deriving from the German Act on Corporate Due Diligence in Supply Chains. He also leads the team that delivers ECOFACT’s Policy Outlook. Moreover, Gabriel has been a key player in drafting OECD due diligence guidance documents that focus on the financial sector and are frequently referenced by regulators.

Gabriel is licensed to practice as a lawyer in Brazil and holds a doctorate in International and European Law from Roma Tre University (Italy), as well as an LL.M. from Leiden University (Netherlands). He is a lecturer at the Certificate of Advanced Studies in Sustainable Finance program of the University of Zurich. Gabriel has also published the book “Business, Compliance and Human Rights Law: The Effectiveness of Transnational Private Regulations for Vulnerable Stakeholders”.

The Ukraine Reform Conference

2021-22 offers additional opportunities within the framework of the Ukraine Reform Conference, which is chaired by Switzerland. The international meetings aim to discuss reform priorities, which are essential for a peaceful and innovative Ukraine. This year, the Conference will be held in Lugano.

The two Local Networks of the UN Global Compact are engaged in this process to involve and connect as many companies as possible. They make a significant contribution to local and international value creation and, through their example and vast knowledge , also have the opportunity to make a big difference with local companies and partners. Ukraine is far advanced from a technological point of view. It has a lot of talent and low costs to offer.

Together, the two Global Compact Local Networks will offer and conduct various joint activities and events, also in consultation and partly in cooperation with the Swiss Foreign Ministry and the Ukrainian government.

Anti-Corruption Week in Kiyv

Antonio Hautle, Executive Director of the Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein (GCNSL) was present at the Partnership for Sustainability Award 2021 ceremony in Kiyv in December 2021.

Additionally, as part of the International Anti-Corruption Week, the Global Compact Networks Ukraine and Switzerland & Liechtenstein organized an event in Kyiv on December 7th with high-level business representatives, the United Nations Office in Ukraine, the Swiss Embassy in Ukraine and a number of NGOs. The private sector is crucial to achieving the goals of sustainable reform. 16 Ukrainian companies committed in a Memorandum on Collective Action Against Corruption to actively contribute to this.

The meeting addressed the Anti-Corruption requirements faced by transnational and local companies in the Ukrainian context. Four CEOs of large transnational companies were able to demonstrate how important a strong Anti-Corruption policy is for business success. A zero-tolerance policy, regular training, education and well-functioning compliance systems are essential. However, a culture of integrity must be lived and exemplified in companies, because not all the employees can be monitored at all times.

What is important is a culture of trust and responsibility, supported by a wide range of measures and controls. Only this way employees can react correctly in problematic situations and make good decisions. An essential element is the possibility of "speaking up". It should be possible to report irregularities and problematic processes; this creates trust and strengthens employees in their day-to-day work.

It became clear that for Ukrainian companies the corruption issue is much more difficult because they cannot rely on clear international guidelines and directives as large transnational companies do. This is another reason why Global Compact Network Ukraine is launching Collective Action against Corruption. A large number of companies signed a Memorandum on Collective Action Against Corruption during the event and committed to actively engage in this process.

Further joint activities

At the World Economic Forum (WEF) Davos in January 2022, two events are planned on the topics "Going green" and "Banking for the Future". With Participants from the UN Global Compact, representatives of Switzerland, Ukraine and the two Local Networks, we would like to offer another platform for mutual meeting, exchange and hopefully, concrete steps.

In the course of (the year) 2022, further activities on Anti-Corruption Collective Action will follow in cooperation with the Basel Institute on Governance, joint webinars on the UN Global Compact Ten Principles and the SDGs as well as exchange opportunities between companies from Switzerland and Ukraine.

The conference in Lugano on July 4-5 will be the highlight and conclusion. However, both Global Compact Local Networks will continue to work together on Responsible Business Conduct, the Agenda 2030 and the SDGs.

We invite all companies from Switzerland and Europe that are active in Ukraine to support these efforts and to actively contribute their knowledge. We also hope that as many transnational companies as possible will make their knowledge, experience and competence available to the extent possible via their subsidiaries in the local Global Compact Network Ukraine.

The 2030 Agenda and the SDGs can only be achieved together with the private sector.

The preparatory panel “On the road to Lugano” provided an opportunity to present the reform priorities of the Ukraine Reform Conference 2022 – focusing on 'Stability and Prosperity' – which will take place in July 2022. You can watch the full panel discussion here:

Box-ticking or greenwashing as a marketing exercise has no place in a low-carbon world, says Magali Anderson, Chief Sustainability and Innovation Officer (CSIO) for Holcim. Corporations must mainstream sustainability in their business strategies. And Holcim, a global building materials supplier, has a significant role to play in a global society where we need to build more sustainably.

In September 2020, Holcim became the first global building materials company to sign the “Business Ambition for 1.5°C” pledge with intermediate targets approved by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in alignment with net zero pathway. This commitment builds on Holcim’s leadership in green construction with cutting-edge solutions such as ECOPact, its green concrete, and Susteno, its leading circular cement.

In October 2021, Holcim sets industry first 2050 net-zero targets, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), building on its 2030 commitments approved in September 2020. Setting a new milestone for its sector, Holcim’s targets cover the company’s entire value chain, including both direct and indirect emissions, following the three ‘scopes’ established by the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol.

Magali brings both a personal and professional insight to her role. From her decades of experience, Magali understands that the future must be greener. She draws on her 32 years of experience as an engineer and in management to ensure that she approaches sustainability with a precise objectivity that is data-driven.

“I am an extremely careful person and I would rather not do something than do it without the right science and rigor. Our sustainability strategy is embedded in everything we do at the company level. Making sustainability systematic is crucial. My job is not about making people or the company look good. I am going to put everything into helping to save life on our planet.”

The route to signing the pledge wasn’t easy. While convinced that it was the right thing to do, many wondered whether the company could actually achieve the ambition.

“Could we truly achieve it according to the science-based targets? We reached out to everybody to explain what we wanted to do and get our data and model validated. We wanted to be trail blazers,” she says.

Holcim is not paying mere lip service. The company has rolled out green products which are central to its strategy to become a net zero company. Take ECOPact, the green concrete, which enables low carbon construction around the world. And, with its circular business model, Holcim is a global leader in recycling waste as a source of energy. It also has products like Susteno, a circular cement product that contains 20% recycled construction and demolition waste.

“We have to have the right products. Our ECOPact product is absolutely key and central to our strategy and we have just launched a breakthrough green cement product. It’s important to have a vision when it comes to sustainability but you have to back this up with product innovation and products that you can deploy. If you don’t, it’s a waste of time.”

She also believes collaboration within the built environment sector is vital if the world wants to build more with less material. “We are not a construction company, we are a supplier of building solutions. We need to find partners within our sector to make green building a reality at a much bigger scale.”

Now, more than a year since making the pledge, Magali’s sustainability and innovation teams have established clear targets across the company to prove a measurable, positive impact within their four sustainability strategy pillars: Climate, Circular Economy, Nature and People.

“If you truly believe in fighting climate change - and I truly believe in it - you have to put all your heart into finding a way to impact and doing this in a constructive way."

About Holcim

Holcim builds progress for people and the planet. As a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions, Holcim is enabling greener cities, smarter infrastructure and improving living standards around the world. With sustainability at the core of its strategy Holcim is becoming a net zero company, with its people and communities at the heart of its success. The company is driving the circular economy as a world leader in recycling to build more with less. Holcim is the company behind some of the world’s most trusted brands in the building sector including ACC, Aggregate Industries, Ambuja Cement, Disensa, Firestone Building Products, Geocycle, Holcim and Lafarge. Holcim is 70,000 people around the world who are passionate about building progress for people and the planet through four business segments: Cement, Ready-Mix Concrete, Aggregates and Solutions & Products.