Present in 160 countries and linked to the United Nations (UN), the Global Compact is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world. Reference for the business sector, it strategically works with companies of different sizes, in addition to non-business organizations, to achieve sustainable goals and develop in the face of new business models.
Created in 2000 by Kofi Annan, then UN Secretary General, the Global Compact emerged as a reaction to the growing influence and impact of the business sector on social, environmental, economic and political issues. For the initiative, the transformation role of companies and their highest executives (CEOs) goes beyond profit: it is in the commitment to a more sustainable and human world.
Currently, more than 17,000 institutions make up the Global Compact, 13,000 of which are companies and 4,000 non-business organizations, including NGOs and governance entities. To meet the challenges of the countries, the initiative was divided into local networks, such as Network Brazil, which assess the particularities of each region for more effective and targeted operations. There are already 70 networks across the globe.
Institutions that wish to implement ambitious goals that prioritize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda can be linked to the Global Compact. Along with the initiative, companies and organizations find partnerships and tools for their goals to be structured, achieved and disclosed with transparency.
Some of the topics covered by the Global Compact are:
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
- Labor Rights;
- Anti-corruption;
- Environment;
- Human rights.
More recently, the ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) principles were incorporated into the corporate sustainability actions developed by the Global Compact. In 2004, the acronym ESG was first mentioned in an initiative report.
Global Compact Network Brazil
The Global Compact Network Brazil was created in 2003 and, in recent years, it has grown exponentially. Today, "it is the third largest local network in the world, the largest in the Americas and the largest in the global south," according to the initiative. In 2020, 67% of the best companies recognized by the annual “Época Negócios 360º” index were linked to Network Brazil, comprising its more than 1200 members.
Following the same principles of the Global Compact, Network Brazil mobilizes companies and organizations towards more sustainable businesses. Four fronts are explored locally:
- Impact initiatives;
- Training and mentoring;
- Visibility and protagonism;
- Connection with world trends.
Internally, Network Brazil is responsible for offering support and institutional guidelines for the business sector to define a strategic action plan based on its targets. The initiative also provides tools and training for companies.
Externally, Network Brazil has been investing in collective projects between companies and partners to exchange experiences, in addition to promoting and curating events that give visibility to the organizations and agendas developed.
In order for institutions linked to the Global Compact Network Brazil to engage even more in the universe of corporate sustainability, the initiative has Action Platforms. Through them, the business sector can articulate itself based on seven coalitions.
The Action Platforms are divided into Thematic and Transversal:
Thematic
- Action on Water;
- Action on Climate;
- Anti-corruption action;
- Action on Sustainable agriculture;
- Action on Human Rights.
Transversais:
- Action on SDG;
- Action to Communicate and Engage.
In addition to the Platforms, Rede Brasil also operates in International Programs. Among them is Net Zero Ambition, linked to global campaigns such as Race to Zero and focused on how the business sector can accelerate the reduction of net carbon emissions in the world.
The Global Compact Network Brazil receives institutional support from Klabin S.A., the company leading the ImPacto NetZero Campaign. To learn more about the Network's operations in the country, check out the 10 Principles that guide the initiative.
How to be part of the Global Compact Network Brazil?
Companies and organizations wishing to join the Global Compact Network Brazil must submit a letter signed by the institution's CEO demonstrating interest and proactivity in taking part in the initiative. Enrollment is completely online and made on the Network Brazil website.
After submission, Rede Brasil analyzes the application and the candidate company. If approved, the company joins the Network and defines its “level of engagement”, as explained in the initiative. There are two levels:
- Signatory: “initial level, with minimal schedule of interactions”;
- Participant: “access to more possibilities for interactions in Brazil and abroad”.
Learn more how to join here.
Leaders Summit
The “Leaders Summit 2021” will take place on June 15th and 16th, an online event of the Global Compact that will connect business leaders, governance and civil society to debate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including, of course, the SDG 13 abou Climate.
