According to 96 % of people asked, examples shown by leaders and their commitment are key from the aspect of sustainability.
According to 96 percent of Hungarian companies, the real sustainability performance depends on the credibility and example shown by the CEO – as revealed by our this year survey. We were primarily interested in how organizations – having signed the leaders’ recommendation introduced three years ago, titled „Complex interpretation of corporate sustainability” – view the actual status, trends and future prospects of corporate sustainability. This year the survey focused on responsible management.
„It was confirmed, that the CEO is the key player: his commitment, example, approach and decision making play a dominant role is the field of sustainability, as well” – said István Salgó, president of BCSDH about the most important outcome of the survey, carried out with 59 companies.
Although views differ on whether a manager responsible solely for sustainability issues is needed (63% of responding companies have it), 84% of respondents agree that corporate sustainability needs to be managed top down and that the CEO has to demonstrate his responsibility, commitment, attention and set examples in order for responsible corporate management and operation to be integrated in the decisions and actions of other managers and associates, as well.
According to the majority of respondents involved in the survey, the mostly used corporate management tools are formal regulations and guidelines – which are also used to promote sustainability performance. The positive trend however is, that self assessment, internal and external audits, as well as the application of sustainability related systems and standards are also gaining ground increasingly. According to respondents corporate culture defines the scope of tools of properly operating corporate management, much rather than company’s the size.
According to the respondents, sustainability is closely linked with the status, forecastability of the given market, as well as the consumer/customer maturity and price sensitivity.
Consequent to getting out of the economic crises, as well as due to international trends and Hungarian local practices, according to56% of respondents the situation and perception of Hungarian sustainability improved. It seems that this issue becomes increasingly integrated in the everyday thinking of business decision makers, which in itself promotes the further development of the sustainability approach.
„Corporate sustainability is largely supported by the President of the Republic of Hungary putting the issue of climatic changes on the agenda, as well as by the National Sustainable Development Council playing an ever more active role. However, there are still too many short sighted business decisions, and we also see shortcomings in implementing sustainability aspects within government actions” – said István Salgó.
00adminhttps://bcsdh.hu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/bcsdh-logo.pngadmin2015-11-23 08:58:332015-11-23 08:58:33It does not work without a leader…
Mr Zsolt Semjén, deputy prime minister, His Excellency Mr Niclas Trouve, ambassador of Sweden to Hungary solemnly handed over the “Bethesda – Family House” to GyörgyVelkey, chief director of the Bethesda Children’s Hospital. Speeches were given at the ceremony by Mr István Szabó, Lutheran bishop, the top managers of the main sponsors – SCA, Hungaropharma and SPAR –, Ms Katalin Novák, state secretary of EMMI and Mr Gergő Karácsony, mayor of Zugló. The Bethesda Family House provides accommodation for family members accompanying the hospitalized children, which, in this form, similarly to the Health visitor service, is unique in the world: it is aHungaricum. Therefore, almost everybody who personally took up the cause was present at the ceremony, and special thanks were given to Ms Adél Kováts, actress, Ms Petra Jaksa, voluntary firewoman, and Ms JuditSándor, SCA employee, who were the ambassadors of the initiative.
Five out of the 10 mini studio flats in theBethesda Family House will provide accommodation for parents accompanying their children, and the other five studio flats will house doctors and nurses on duty in the hospital. The National Centre for Children Burn Victims functioning within the Children’s Hospital provides care for children who suffered severe burns and were transferred to the hospital from remote places. The Bethesda Family House aims to support both the healing, which often requires hospitalization for several months, and the preparation for the rehabilitation that follows. The professionalism and devotion ofdoctors and nurses, as well as the continuous and encouraging presence of the parents are equally essential. The Bethesda Family House is the fruit and the symbol of careful and forward-looking thinking in health care, shared by all the supporters. It is an important step towards making prevention a daily practice in health care.
In order to achieve this goal, the former deaconess Family House had to be modernised; so far the project has required a funding of 60 million HUF and 4 years of tight cooperation. Several new ideas, help and support given by international and Hungarian partners of the cooperation were needed. For example, Dutch volunteers did their share in the construction work. However, the work has not been finished yet, since the external construction work of the Bethesda Family House, as well as the finishing touch of the interior remain to be done. Since the very beginning, the fundraising for maintenance, operation and development has been the duty of the Bethesda Foundation and its circle, or “network” of supporters, to employ the commonly used term. The Bethesda Family House creates value for the whole society in this respect, too, being a successful practical example of corporate social responsibility.
The method may be useful for and adapted to any similar foundation. The proof of successful operation is the Family House itself, whereas the professional CSR award, which the project was granted in 2014 and 2015 (CSR-Hungary, PR federation), recognises its innovative character. The modern way of fundraising via a foundation is closely connected to corporate social responsibility. The method basically alloys the ancient wisdom “Do not give me a fish, teach me how to fish” and the modern corporate logic focusing on result. The continuous strategic cooperation between the corporations and the private sector basically impossible for objectives that require long-term cooperation and perseverant work. The solution offered by the Bethesda Foundation may show the way out from this deadlock situation, which is unfortunately well-known to so many. From this point of view, it is worth informing the public opinion, and especially the corporate sector about the concrete example of the Bethesda Family House.
In 2011, the Hungarian management of SCA, representing the Swedish corporate values and business culture, contacted proactively the Bethesda Foundation, as they considered that the new tax law would make it more difficult for us to pursue our children health care and education programmes which are gap fillers. In order to remedy the situation, SCA offered us that they would design their strategic CSR programme until 2015, the company’s 30th anniversary, along the lines of a transparent strategic cooperation. It also contacted its own business partners, among others SPAR and Hungaropharma, to reach their common customers. From the outset, the strategy managed the short-term project of collection of donations by selling SCA products and the long-term PR activity aiming to increase the number of supporters offering 1% of their personal income tax. As a result, more than 10 million HUF of direct funding was collected, the number of those supporting the project with their personal income tax increased by 25%, and finally the Bethesda Family House was built and its operation is sustainable. Bethesda’s credo „My reward is that I can do it” and the SCA credo „We care for life” are in harmony, and reveal two complementary attitudes and daily practices.
Finally, the best hospital care – which may often take several months – can only mark the beginning of a successful healing process, which usually takes several years and starts when the children return to their home. It is obvious that even a completely healthy child would suffer psychological harm if they had to spend several months in a perfectly unknown environment, without their parents and family, and suffer painful things that some men and ladies in a white gown, although smiling, do to them from time to time. It is even more so in the case of children who suffer from severe burn traumatism. It should not be allowed that the children are left alone in this process, because without the supportive presence of the parents total healing cannot be achieved. It is our responsibility to create the conditions for the parents to fulfil their obligation in such circumstances, as it is part of a preventive healing and cure. However, it takes time to implement such a structure, especially because the local needs and possibilities may differ considerably. The solution can be found locally, in a joint effort by the state, the church, the civil society and the corporations. What we need is not a solution provided by the state, but a solution supported by the state, an aspect which has to be taken into consideration if we want other “Family Houses” to be opened throughout the country.
00adminhttps://bcsdh.hu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/bcsdh-logo.pngadmin2015-11-21 12:42:252015-11-21 12:42:25The first Family House has opened its gates in Bethesda Hospital
To the Gran Prize Officially established On December 12, 2012 by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Hungary.
Annual prize awarded for outstandingly innovative solutions, papers and projects in response to the most pressing issues of our planet, in the field of environmental protection, sustainable development, design, medicine, health preservation and development and education.
The SCCH has taken into consideration that persons, students and student groups might not yet have official publications which can be evaluated by the professional associations invited to participate in the Gran Prize award process and on the judging panel of the Gran Prize. Having taken this into account and in accord with the professionals and associations participating in the judging panel of the Gran Prize, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce hereby announces an open call to entry to the Gran Prize Innovative Interdisciplinary Award, with the following conditions:
Entries will be judged with the participation with the persons appointed by the professional associations serving on the judging panel of the Gran Prize.
Deadline for entries : April 15, 2016
Entry requirements:
Professional resume
Exact description of the entry and it’s beneficial, in particular innovative aspects
Maximum length : 10 pages, not including attachments
Auxiliary documentation of the entry, relevant for the judging of the entry
GRAN PRIZE INNOVATIVE INTERDISCIPLINARY AWARD
Submission:
Please upload the applications to www.swedishchamber.hu (Gran Prize submission / pályázat feltöltése) in the following file formats: Word, Excel, pdf and jpeg.
The Board of Judges will shortlist 5 projects to the shortlist. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted and scheduled for an interview of 10 minutes.
The background and aims of the GRAN PRIZE Interdisciplinary Innovative Award established by the SWEDISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN HUNGARY
In October, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Hungary (SCCH) decided to establish a prize to stimulate innovative thinking aimed at improving the quality of life.
The SCCH chose a popular Swedish symbol, the pine tree, as the emblem of the prize. For most of the planet it represents Christmas as well as being a metaphor for Nature.
Ancient philosophers discussed happiness and living in harmony with nature and this aspiration is becoming vital to modern man.
GRAN in Swedish means pine tree, pointing to the characteristics of this award, as focused on sustainable development and environmental protection. The Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Hungary’s aim with this prize is twofold, firstly to support and award outstanding innovative achievements and to facilitate GRAN PRIZE INNOVATIVE INTERDISCIPLINARY AWARD intercultural communication.
In the spirit of the open, consensus-based thinking that is such a vital part of Swedish society and with the aim of furthering Swedish-Hungarian cooperation, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Hungary has opened entry to the GRAN PRIZE to every progressive company and private person in Hungary.
DESCRIPTION OF THE GRAN PRIZE
The prize can be awarded to private persons, groups, companies, associations, organisations, institutions, students or student teams as decided by the judging panel of the GRAN PRIZE. The judging panel has the right to invite persons, associations and companies to submit applications for the competition.
The prize is in response to the most pressing issues of our planet, annually awarding outstanding, innovative solutions and projects in the area of environmental protection, sustainable development, design, medicine, health preservation and development, as well as education.
The members of the judging panel of the GRAN PRIZE might change from year to year, the permanent members being 3 directors from the SCCH. Members of faculty from institutions of higher education, as well as representatives of professional associations will form the judging panel of 2014. The SCCH announced to the press and public that it will set aside HUF 5 million from its capital to finance this innovative prize from the annually accrued interest, and it will invite other progressive decision makers and private individuals to participate with their sponsorship.
The annual award gala of the GRAN PRIZE will take place in May. The award will be in the shape of a pine tree, and it is currently being created by the Swedish artist, Anna Lundin. Each year, in the week following the award gala, the so called GRAN WEEK, the winner of the award will present the winning entry and members of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Hungary will hold presentations for university students.
00adminhttps://bcsdh.hu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/bcsdh-logo.pngadmin2015-11-03 18:03:322015-11-03 18:03:32Gran Prize Innovative Interdisciplinary Award
Welcome: Ferenc Friedler (vice president, National Research, Development and Innovation Office, Hungary)
Part A. IPBES in the Sustainable Development Agenda:
Keynotes by Thomas Koetz (IPBES Secretariat) and Ivar Baste (IPBES Bureau)
followed by a panel discussion with the two speakers and Jacqueline McGlade (UNEP chief scientist).
Part B. IPBES Work Programme (2014-2018) Highlights:
Keynotes by Markus Fischer (co-chair for IPBES Europe and Central Asia Regional Assessment) and György Pataki (IPBES MEP member and co-chair of the IPBES expert group on values and valuation)
followed by a panel discussion with Zsolt Molnár (IPBES Indigenous and Local Knowledge Task Force) and András Attila Takács (EU Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services working group).
The event will be hosted and facilitated by András Báldi (director, Centre for Ecological Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences), and is supported by the Section of Biological Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
00adminhttps://bcsdh.hu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/bcsdh-logo.pngadmin2015-10-27 14:29:542015-10-27 14:29:54Improving Harmony between People and Nature through Linking Science and Policy
KPMG Named “Sustainable Firm of the Year” For Fourth Consecutive Year by International Accounting Bulletin; Wins Social Networking Award for Third Year.
London, October 5, 2015 – KPMG International has won two prestigious 2015 International Accounting Bulletin (IAB) Awards, presented in London on October 1st. For the fourth consecutive year, it was awarded “Sustainable Firm of the Year,” and for a third consecutive year, “Social Media Networking Champion of the Year Global.”
In awarding “Sustainable Firm of the Year,” IAB said, “KPMG has impressed the judges with its commitment to push for sustainability internally and not just as an offering to clients,” noting that KPMG firms globally reported a 10 percent reduction in net emissions since 2010. IAB added that “[t]he [KPMG] network continues to help clients improve their own environmental and social performance, not only through KPMG sustainability services, but across all other lines.”
“We are exceedingly proud to be recognized as sustainable firm of the year for a fourth consecutive time by International Accounting Bulletin,” said Lord Dr. Michael Hastings, KPMG International’s Global Head of Corporate Citizenship. “Sustainability is a core challenge facing businesses and institutions the world over, and we are passionate about responsible, effective engagement with our communities, clients and our people, to lead meaningful changes that will meet this challenge.”
IAB named KPMG International as “Social Media Networking Champion of the Year Global” for a third consecutive year. It pointed to KPMG’s WEFLIVE service (www.WEFLIVE.com), which for a fourth year captured in real-time the Twitter conversations from delegates attending the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. IAB concluded that, “[t]his along with other social media initiatives demonstrated the [KPMG] network’s global impact in social networking.” (www.kpmg.com/socialmedia)
“WEFLIVE has created a powerful platform enabling dialogue between delegates at Davos and the rest of the world. We believe in the significant role of social media in bringing closer the different perspectives needed to address the complex issues of today’s society and economy,” said Isabelle Allen, KPMG Global Head of Clients and Markets, KPMG International.
00adminhttps://bcsdh.hu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/bcsdh-logo.pngadmin2015-10-09 13:44:102015-10-09 13:44:10KPMG Named “Sustainable Firm of the Year”
The 3rd year of the ‘Future Leaders’ Talent Program will start in January, 2016. We are looking forward to the nominations of our member companies. This year a guide helps the selection of the most appropriate candidate(s).
00adminhttps://bcsdh.hu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/bcsdh-logo.pngadmin2015-10-08 17:00:392015-10-08 17:00:39‘Future Leaders’ Talent Program 2016 – Application is now open
Ahead of the formal adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the UN’s Sustainable Development Summit in New York, the President’s Office is already focusing on identifying the most important goals for Hungary – announced H.E. Csaba Körösi, Head of the Directorate for Environmental Sustainability at the President’s Office at the BCSDH’s CEO business breakfast.
6th of October, Budapest, – H.E. Csaba Körösi, Head of the Directorate for Environmental Sustainability at the President’s Office, held a very impactful presentation for CEOs at the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary (BCSDH)’s business breakfast.
Irén Márta, the new managing director of the organization, stressed the actuality of the topic in her opening speech, since after the closure of the UN summit in New York the whole world is now watching out for the upcoming World Climate Summit in Paris in December, which may represent a crucial turning point for the planet.
In 1945 – said Csaba Kőrösi – a new chapter of history based on a new vision was formulated. Values, principles and to a certain extent, the objectives of international cooperation were reformulated, and a network of supporting institutions were created in the following years. In 2015 we must – and we are capable of – making a similar paradigm change in order to create a sustainable world in which to live.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were recently (in September) published at the UN’s Sustainable Development Summit in New York, are unique tools of their kind. The final 17 goals as agreed on by all 193 member states of the UN cover a 15-year timeframe – to 2030 – and include 169 targets. Businessmen, scientists and civil organizations from 193 countries have been working for two years to create an ambitious but feasible set of sustainability goals.
For companies an SDG Compass was jointly developed by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), the GRI and the UN Global Compact. This document supports companies to take a strategic approach to the SDGs and to enhance their contribution to sustainable development through their core business activities.
SDGs are long-term objectives which frame a global vision. The key to their success is in the implementation: in the way that countries transform this global vision into action according to their own situations.
According to Csaba Kőrösi, who co-chaired the international negotiations for the Sustainable Development Goals, the most important criterion for success is that each country has to identify its own sustainability priorities.
Among this set of global goals, the sustainability priorities of Hungary are the following: climate protection, sustainable water-source management, food-security, clean energy and energy security, health care, sustainable cities and communities – as well as the technology development and education needed to support these goals.
The question is not whether there are changes ahead, but whether we will be able to influence their direction, and whether we can lead them.
00adminhttps://bcsdh.hu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/bcsdh-logo.pngadmin2015-10-06 10:18:492015-10-06 10:18:49János Áder, President of Hungary, places great importance on identifying the sustainability goals of Hungary
The international conference entitled ‘Business that Changes the World’ is the highlight of the year-long celebration of the 15th anniversary of CSR partnership in Poland, conceived and initiated by the Responsible Business Forum (to read more about our organisation, please follow the link to the English version of our website: http://odpowiedzialnybiznes.pl/english/). This two-day event will take place on 20–21 October 2015 in the Praha cinema in Warsaw (see map). Invited participants include representatives of companies from Poland and Central and Eastern Europe, NGOs, public administration from Poland and other countries.
Participation is free of charge. Registration is mandatory.
The first day will follow a classic conference format. As a special guest of the conference, we invited Prof. Guy Standing from the University of London, who coined the term ‘precariat’ and wrote a book entitled ‘The Precariat: The New Dangerous Class’. During two discussion panels specialists and practitioners will try to look at the development of CSR over the years. The first panel will be a round table for CEOs from various companies who will consider the benefits of CSR to business and the society to date. This will be followed by an expert panel, attended, among others, by Prof. Guy Standing and Prof. Jerzy Hausner (Deputy Prime Minister in 2003–2005, a government minister in 2001–2005, an economist, a lecturer at the Cracow University of Economics). The discussion will aim to provide critical reflection on CSR. The panels will be followed by a presentation of the most recent results of the ‘CSR Managers’ survey in Poland and similar research results for Central Europe. The studies were conducted in collaboration between the Responsible Business Forum, PBS (a research services provider) and Deloitte.
The second day is divided into three parallel sessions. The first one will be organised by the Responsible Business Forum, the second one by Ashoka Polska, whereas the third one will include film screenings. The guests of the session organised by the Responsible Business Forum will include inspiring speakers from the business community, organisations or NGOs who will talk about responsible business and sustainable development. This will provide conference participants with a starting point for an exchange of opinions.
Participation in the conference is free of charge. Participants are required to complete an online registration form available at http://odpowiedzialnybiznes.pl/konferencja2015/en/. The number of attendees is limited.
The first 20 participants from other countries who submit their online registrations will be entitled to a free walk around Warsaw with an English-speaking guide. The tour will take place in the afternoon of Day 1. We are looking forward to your registrations!
Preliminary conference programme
‘Business that Changes the World’*
10:50–11:50What has CSR given to business and society – Presidents of Boards round table
Confirmed participants:
Marcelo Catalá, president of board, CEMEX;
Janusz Gołębiowski, president of board, Henkel;
Feliks Szyszkowiak, member of board, Bank Zachodni WBK;
Moderator:
Michał Kobosko, journalist
11:50–12:10 Coffee Break
12:10–1:10 Expert Panel – Critical Reflection on CSR
Guests include:
Prof. Guy Standing, University of London
Prof. Jerzy Hausner – a Polish politician and economist,
Kathryn Dovey – Tax Policy Analyst at OECD,
Stefan Crets, executive director CSR Europe,
Prof. Elżbieta Ziemacka-Mączyńska, president of board, Polish Economic Society (Polskie Towarzystwo Ekonomiczne),
Sławomir Sierakowski, president of board and editor in chief, Political Critique (Krytyka Polityczna),
Kamil Wyszkowski, general director, Global Impact Poland;
Moderator:
Przemysław Pohrybieniuk, managing director, ACCA
1:10–1:40Presentation of Jubilee Partners achievements in CSR
1:40–2:00 Coffee Break
2:00–3:05Comparison of the conditions and factors determining the concept of CSR in Central and Eastern Europe
Research results presented by: Mirella Panek-Owsiańska, President of the Responsible Business Forum
Research results: CSR Managers – Poland
Research results: CSR Managers – CEE Deloitte
The ‘CSR Managers’ study is intended to provide a picture of Polish CSR managers and their view on corporate social responsibility in the contexts of various actions taken. The presentation will cover a similar study conducted in countries of Central Europe
3:05–3:20 Conference summary
3:20 Late lunch
Conference moderator:
Michał Kobosko, journalist
DAY 2 (21 October, Wednesday) 9:00–1:00
Parallel sessions:
Session 1: Responsible Business Forum
Confirmed participants:
Jean Pierre Gattuso, CNRS and University of Paris, scientific co-ordinator of the European Free Ocean Carbon Dioxide Enrichment Experiment, expert at the ‘Oceans 2015 Initiative’, invited by BGŻ BNP Paribas;
Kamila Sidor, co-founder of Geek Girl Carrots in Poland;
Łukasz Kaliciński, founder of NotJustShop, a clothing label from Cracow, based on the social business concept since the very beginning;
Kamil Baj, founder of Pszczelarium, an organisation which monitors apiaries in cities to promote the idea of sustainable development in cities;
Bartek Stodulski, founder of LaboratoriumEE, a Polish company designing innovative web solutions;
prof. dr hab Andrzej Markowski, University of Warsaw;
Łukasz Jadaś, expert on Internet and social media studies, Institute of Media Monitoring (Poland);
Session 2: Ashoka Polska
Debates and meetings with social entrepreneurs and business people in the context of innovative social solutions.
Session 3: CSR in Films
* The programme will be updated and its most recent updates will be available from the organiser’s website: odpowiedzialnybiznes.pl.
The conference language will be Polish but organisers provide simultaneous interpreting into English. Free vegetarian meals and refreshments will be available for the participants during the event.
***
International conference ‘Business that Changes the World’ support:
Supporting Partners: Institute of Media Monitoring (Poland)
***
The 15th anniversary of the CSR Partnership is the most important CSR jubilee in Poland in 2015. The aim of the celebration is to sum up the achievements and developments during the 15 years of CSR work which were enabled by co‑operation between many people, companies and institutions. The celebration of the 15th anniversary of the CSR Partnership has been initiated and organised by the Responsible Business Forum. The accompanying motto is: ‘Business that changes the world. People that change business’.
Main Partners: Bank Zachodni WBK, Polski Koncern Naftowy ORLEN
Partner: Polskie Górnictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo
***
Responsible Business Forum in Poland is the largest non-governmental organisation in Poland, and an NGO with the longest history of operation in the country (15 years). It approaches the idea of corporate social responsibility in a multifaceted way. The Forum is a think-and-do-tank, which promotes a responsible approach to business in a way which takes account of the environmental and social impacts. we inspire business that changes the world and provide a meeting place for people who change business. We promote sustainable development. To find more about us, please visit www.odpowiedzialnybiznes.pl/english/.
00adminhttps://bcsdh.hu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/bcsdh-logo.pngadmin2015-09-30 16:59:582015-09-30 16:59:58International conference ‘Business that Changes the World’ – 20-21 October 2015
Budapest Airport, the operator of Liszt Ferenc International Airport, is launching an environmental protection program, entitled Greenairport Program, in order to reduce the environmental impact of the capital’s airport, an announcement issued today reveals.
The program is expected to be implemented with the help of organizations working at the airport, to improve the international recognition, innovativeness and operating efficiency of the airport, the announcement added.
Since the program was called, several partners have joined, including: Heinemann Duty Free, the Airport Directorate of the National Tax and Customs Authority, Lufthansa Technik Budapest and Hungarian taxi company Főtaxi.
00adminhttps://bcsdh.hu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/bcsdh-logo.pngadmin2015-09-29 09:53:042015-09-29 09:53:04Budapest Airport launches Greenairport Program
New York, September 26, 2015: Companies now have a new tool to help them navigate and contribute to a new set of global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations on 25 September.
The SDGs, which will shape the global development agenda from now until 2030, explicitly call on business to use creativity and innovation to address sustainable development challenges, such as poverty, gender equality, clean water, clean energy and climate change. Many companies, however, are uncertain about what actions they can and should take in order to contribute to the goals. To meet this need, the SDG Compass is a guide that companies can use to align their strategies with the relevant SDGs, and measure and manage their impacts. It is supported by a live and constantly updated inventory of business indicators and tools
Though all 193 Member States of the United Nations reached agreement on the SDGs, their success relies heavily on action and collaboration by all actors. The SDG Compass acknowledges this and incorporates feedback from companies, government agencies, academic institutions and civil society organizations, from around the world.
“Our partnership with the UN Global Compact and WBCSD is an example of the innovation and collaboration needed in order to tackle the world’s most pressing development challenges,” said GRI’s Chief Executive, Michael Meehan. “SDG target 12.6 explicitly acknowledges the critical role corporate reporting must play in the achievement of the goals. Our ambition is that by using the SDG Compass to measure and manage their contributions, businesses will generate high-quality data to inform better decision making and improve the lives of millions of people across our planet.”
“The adoption of the SDGs is an historic moment for our world, and business is ready to act,” said Lise Kingo, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact. “These global goals represent a growing market for companies that are able to develop and deliver relevant technologies and solutions. The SDG Compass provides critical guidance for companies to understand their responsibilities and opportunities linked to each of the global goals, ultimately to drive growth and innovation for the good of people and our planet.”
“We are proud to be part of the coalition launching the SDG Compass today. For the first time, the business community has actively helped to shape the agenda of the SDGs, and continuing this leadership will also be critical to helping achieve them,” said President of WBCSD, Peter Bakker. “The SDGs provide a new framework for companies to help solve global challenges through sustainable development, and they call on all businesses to apply their creativity and innovation. The Compass is a unique tool that will help business align their strategy and operations to the SDGs, and measure and manage their contribution.”
The SDG Compass was launched as part of this year’s UN Private Sector Forum, which annually brings together CEOs and heads of state to the United Nations to discuss issues such as climate change, global development, and human rights. Against the backdrop of the UN Sustainable Development Summit 2015, this year’s Private Sector Forum focused on the role of the private sector in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.
For more information about the SDG Compass, please visit sdgcompass.org.
For media enquiries please contact: GRI Davion Ford, Media Relations Manager, GRI (ford@globalreporting.org)
UN Global Compact
Kristina Wilson-Rocheford, Communications & Media Relation Manager, UN Global Compact, kwilson@unglobalcompact.org
About GRI
GRI is an international independent organization that has pioneered corporate sustainability reporting since 1997. GRI’s mission is to empower decision-makers everywhere, through its sustainability reporting standards and multi-stakeholder network, to take action towards a more sustainable economy and world. www.globalreporting.org
About UN Global Compact
The United Nations Global Compact is a call to companies everywhere to voluntarily align their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and to take action in support of UN goals and issues. Launched in 2000, it is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world, with over 8,000 companies based in 160 countries. www.unglobalcompact.org
About WBCSD
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is committed to galvanising the global business community to create a sustainable future for business, society and the environment. The WBCSD provides a forum for its 200 member companies to scale up business solutions that change the status quo. www.wbcsd.org
00adminhttps://bcsdh.hu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/bcsdh-logo.pngadmin2015-09-29 09:48:112015-09-29 09:48:11The SDG Compass Helps Companies Take Action on New UN Goals