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On 25 September 2023, more than 200 organisations located in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Austria raised an SDG flag to show their support for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 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

In 2023 a dedicated project team in Schaan, Liechtenstein, decided on a unique way to educate the public on sustainability and raise awareness on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): they built a 35-meter tower with an interactive exhibition that explains how everyone can contribute to a better and more sustainable future. 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!

On June 6, 2023 many participants joined our General Assembly 2023 in Bern. The event served as a platform to reflect on our past achievements, vote on our new board members, and share our planned future activities. It was also a great opportunity to network and meet longstanding and new participants of our local network. 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.

Solar Appreciation Day is celebrated every March. This is a good opportunity to learn more about solar technology. Solar energy is a leading source of green energy and helps to mitigate climate change. According to the International Energy Agency, solar energy from photovoltaic cells (PV) accounted for ~3.6% of global electricity generation and remains the third-largest source of renewable energy, behind hydropower and wind 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.

As we enter 2023, we are propelled by the positivity from the landmark deal and key targets agreed as part of the COP15 Global Biodiversity Framework in Montreal. Discussions and panels at The World Economic Forum in Davos highlighted the need for corporate biodiversity risk disclosure frameworks pinning hope on the emergence of the TNFD (Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures). There is no question that financial markets recognise the nature dependency of the global economy. The World Economic Forum estimates that roughly half of the global GDP, or about $44 trillion of economic value, depends on the natural world in some shape or form, an awakening to the financial markets, meaning its demise carries a huge financial toll. 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

ZURICH, Switzerland, December 8, 2022 – The UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein is a legally independent business association and only official platform of the New York-based United Nations Global Compact in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. 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 coming years will be decisive for the path to Green Growth which means to foster economic growth and development in a sustainable way. The potential of digital technology and the cloud as the innovation platform of the 21st century will be crucial for green transformation. This applies to the corporate sector as well as to the public sector and society at large. 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)

SSF und GCNSL set up a Swiss consultation group for the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosure (TNFD). 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).

UNICEF Switzerland and Liechtenstein and the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland and Liechtenstein published the study "Addressing Children's Rights in Business - An Assessment from Switzerland and Liechtenstein". This baseline study examines what knowledge companies have regarding children's rights, how children's rights are considered and embedded in their daily activities and company policies, and what challenges companies face regarding children's rights. 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 Most companies do not engage specifically with children’s rights but are generally committed to human rights. 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. 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. 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. Tools and management systems to implement children’s rights in business (e.g., governance, monitoring, remediation) require further development. 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.

On the 23rd of September, all around the world the SDG Flag will be raised to show our support for the Sustainable Development Goals. With the flag campaign, organisations, municipalities, companies, civil society organizations and schools show that they are part of this global movement for a better world. Will you join us? 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!

More than 120,000 participants from over 7,000 companies are scaling their corporate sustainability knowledge through learning experiences from the Academy, the UN Global Compact’s premier digital learning platform. 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.

SkyCell, a Swiss SME and part of the pharmaceutical value chain, reflects upon the importance of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in the context of business sustainability 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.