Communication
on Progress (CoP)

Reporting to stakeholders in a transparent and public manner is fundamental for companies committed to sustainability. Your company’s annual Communication on Progress (CoP) is a key component of your commitment to the UN Global Compact. To streamline reporting on the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals and support an evolving reporting marketplace, the UN Global Compact has introduced new CoP process.

2023 Communication on Progress

Following a temporary suspension of the CoP platform earlier this year due to technical challenges, the UN Global Compact is actively working to relaunch the digital process for the submission of the 2023 CoP through an interim platform, set to be available by mid-October. To provide sufficient time for completing the reporting requirements, we are extending the reporting deadline to 31 December 2023.

We strongly encourage all participants to complete the digital questionnaire for their 2023 CoP to realize the full benefits of the data to benchmark and track corporate sustainability progress over time. Should completing the CoP questionnaire not be feasible for your company, you have the option to submit your corporate sustainability report.

It is important to note that failure to submit the CoP will not result in exclusion from the UN Global Compact in 2023. Nevertheless, submitting your CoP underscores your commitment and progress toward adhering to the Ten Principles and advancing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

2023 CoP Submission Process

If you submitted the questionnaire before the system pause, you have completed the 2023 reporting requirement and no further action is required.
If you started the questionnaire but did not submit before the system pause, we will provide you with all of your previously completed responses before we reopen digital CoP submissions in mid-October.
If you have not started the 2023 reporting requirement, we encourage you to continue using the Excel template to collect your information to report using the digital questionnaire.
If you have newly joined the UN Global Compact in 2023, you do not have to submit a CoP this year. New joiners are due to submit their first CoP within the submission period of the following calendar year.

New Deadline and Delisting Policy

The deadline for submitting the 2023 CoP is 31 December 2023.
Business participants who have not submitted their CoP (as a questionnaire or sustainability report) by this deadline will be listed as 'Non-Communicating' from 1 January 2024. By resubmitting the 2023 CoP, the status 'Active' can be restored.
No company will be delisted from the UN Global Compact for failing to submit a 2023 Progress Report.
The 2024 reporting period will take place as planned. Companies that do not submit a CoP for the 2024 reporting year by 31 December 2024 will be delisted from the UN Global Compact as of 1 January 2025.

In case of questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to info@globalcompact.ch or
cop-support@unglobalcompact.org. More general information on the CoP as well as further guidance and on-demand courses can be accessed below.

Communication on Progress

In 2023 a new Communication on Progress (CoP) was introduced to enable participating companies to understand, measure, track, and disclose their performance on the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact. The new framework transitions from a narrative format to a standardized questionnaire supported by a digital platform. All business participants will be required to disclose their progress using the new Communication on Progress system beginning in 2023. Relevant information and documents can be found further below.

Download One Pager

Two Requirements

Overall, the CoP is designed to add value to participants in several ways:

Build credibility and brand value by showing their commitment to the Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Measure and demonstrate progress to stakeholders on the Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals, in a consistent and harmonized way.
Receive insight, learn, and continuously improve performance by identifying gaps, accessing guidance and setting sustainability goals.
Compare progress against peers with access to one of the largest sources of free, public and comparable corporate sustainability data.

CoP Questionnaire PDF (in English)

CoP Questionnaire Excel (in English)

CoP Questionnaire PDF (in German)

CoP Questionnaire Excel (in German)

Submission Period

The universal submission period runs from March 27 to July 15 in 2023.

A business participant will be designated as Non-Communicating when it fails to submit the CoP within the submission period (July 15). There will be no grace period and extensions for participants. If a non-communicating participant fails to submit a CoP within six months of becoming non-communicating (by 31 December of each year), it will be delisted. Further details can be found in the CoP Policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the UN Global Compact and the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein?

The United Nations Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative and aims to mobilize a global movement of sustainable companies and stakeholders. It provides a platform for business and non-business entities to proactively network and engage in the areas of human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption. Participation in the UN Global Compact is a visible commitment to the implementation, disclosure, and promotion of its Ten universal Principles. Local Networks, such as the Swiss & Liechtenstein Network, advance the initiative and its Ten Principles at the country level. Our role is to support organisations engage in the UN Global Compact with respect to the implementation of its principles and provide guidance to put sustainability commitments into action. By providing a platform for dialogue and learning, we create opportunities for multi-stakeholder engagement and collective action.
Who can join the UN Global Compact?

Participation in the UN Global Compact is open to any business genuinely committed to implementing the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact throughout its operations and sphere of influence and communicating on its progress each year. Properly constituted (under prevailing national law) companies from any industry sector are eligible for participation, except those listed here. Non-business organisations (e.g. civil society organisations/NGOs, business associations, foundations, academic institutions, public sector organisations, labour organisations and cities) are also encouraged to become Participants of the UN Global Compact.
Can company subsidiaries join the UN Global Compact?

The UN Global Compact applies the leadership principle. If a parent company is a Participant to the UN Global Compact, the commitment is assumed to apply for all subsidiaries as well. Subsidiaries that wish underline their commitment and become a UN Global Compact signatory alongside their parent are invited to become a member of the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein and to actively participate in our activities at the local and global level. To learn more about how subsidiaries can join the UN Global Compact see here.
Why should my organisation join?

The UN Global Compact provides a universal language for corporate responsibility and provides a framework to guide all businesses regardless of size, complexity or location. We are your guide every step of the way. We’ll help you commit to, assess, define, implement, measure and communicate your sustainability strategy. Discover how you will benefit from the UN Global Compact here.
How much will it cost?

Please consult the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein’s dedicated Fee Sheet here.
How can my organisation join?

We are glad that you are interested in taking the next steps towards joining the UN Global Compact and to actively engage with the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein. Please consult the joining process here.
What will we have to do if we sign up?

As a voluntary initiative, the UN Global Compact seeks wide participation from a diverse group of businesses. As a participant of the UN Global Compact, a company: Sets in motion changes to business operations so that the UN Global Compact and its Ten Principles become part of strategy, culture and dayto-day operations; Is expected to publicly advocate the UN Global Compact and its principles via communications vehicles such as press releases, speeches, etc; and Is required to communicate with their stakeholders on an annual basis on progress (Communication on Progress) in: Implementing the Ten Principles and Efforts to support societal priorities. There are a number of ways that companies can take action to embed corporate sustainability into their DNA. Find out what you can do here.
What is the Communication on Progress (CoP)?

The UN Global Compact requires participating companies to produce an annual Commitment on Progress (CoP) that details their work to embed the Ten Principles into their strategies and operations, as well as efforts to support societal priorities. The CoP is a visible expression of your commitment to sustainability and provides valuable information to your company’s stakeholders. Companies that fail to report or to meet the criteria over time may be removed from the initiative. Click here for more detailed information on the CoP and its requirements.
Is there a possibility to extend the CoP deadline?

The CoP policy offers two resources for participants to modify their deadline: Grace Period: Grants an additional period of 90 days for organizations that will be delayed in submitting their CoP due to unforeseen events. Please find a guide to submit a Grace letter here. Adjustment Request: Allows a onetime only deferral of up to 11 months to adjust an organization’s internal reporting cycle. A guide to request an adjustment is provided here.
Can we use the UN Global Compact Logo?

Participants and Signatories that wish to use a UN Global Compact logo are asked to seek permission in advance by using the online logo request system. An exception is the Communication on Progress (CoP) logo which is available for participants to include in their CoP without prior permission. For more information about how to use and request UN Global Compact logos, please click here. If you have any further questions, please contact us.
How do I update the contact information of my company?

To update contact information, Participants may login to the UN Global Compact website. In the “Contacts” tab of the dashboard, a new contact can be created, or an existing contact can be edited by clicking on the pencil picture under the appropriate contact name to modify its details.