Sports and Sustainability. Using the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles as starting point

Fans and supporters are now demanding that the sports industry embeds sustainability to protect the planet and to contribute to the recovery from COVID-19 crisis. Each day, stakeholders are challenging almost every sports organization to raise the bar.

Hands down, there is much more that needs to be done by sports organizations globally to accelerate the implementation of corporate sustainability, responsible business practices and scale up the industry’s contributions to the 2030 Agenda as well as of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

With that in mind, the United Nations Global Compact, with its Ten Principles, can help sports organizations to achieve this vision and support society, whether if they are beginners on their sustainability journey or if they are recognized leaders and innovators, as well as offer a unique platform to engage in responsible business practices and provide a universal language for corporate responsibility and sustainability. 

These Ten Principles derived from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Labor Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development as well as of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, and are the following:

Human Rights:

• Principle 1: Support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights.
• Principle 2: Make sure not to be a complicit in human rights abuses.

Labor:

• Principle 3: Uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining.
• Principle 4: The elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labor.
• Principle 5: The effective abolition of child labor.
• Principle 6: The elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

Environment

• Principle 7: Support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges.
• Principle 8: Undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility.
• Principle 9: Encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

Anti-Corruption

• Principle 10: Work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.

Being a signatory to the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles communicates to your stakeholders that your organization understands the importance of going beyond business as usual, and value the fundamental responsibilities in the areas of human and labor rights, the environment and anti-corruption.

By opting to embrace and include the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles as part of their corporate strategy, sports organization will not just only endorse the fundamental responsibilities towards people and the planet but will also set the stage for their own long-term success.  

To learn more, visit: https://www.unglobalcompact.org/