UN Global Compact Network UK – April Newsletter

Welcome to our newsletter – a briefing on the essential programming, events, and resources offered by the UN Global Compact Network UK to support businesses in achieving their sustainability goals.

Subscribe here to stay up to date with the latest corporate sustainability trends.

HELPING YOU BE AHEAD OF THE CURVE

Business Sector Exchanges

Sustainability has become a non-negotiable for business success, but expectations around sustainability are constantly evolving. Businesses need to anticipate major challenges and adapt accordingly. With expectations from investors and other stakeholders constantly evolving, how can businesses cut through the noise and ensure the right issues are being prioritised?

Our Business Sector Exchanges take a sector–focused approach to sustainability by exploring emerging trends, upcoming regulations, and tailored industry content to help business be ahead of the curve.

For 2024, UN Global Compact Network UK will deep dive into fashion and food. Learn more here.

NAVIGATE THE EVOLVING SUSTAINABILITY LANDSCAPE

Sustainability TrendsWatch

The United Nations Global Compact , in collaboration with 埃森哲 , is excited to launch Sustainability TrendsWatch - a new webinar series designed to unpack the latest trends and insights in corporate sustainability. Join us on Thursday, 25 April 2024 at 15:00 BST for the inaugural session ‘How will Gen AI change Sustainable business?’ designed to help you discover and navigate how harnessing the power of Gen AI can pave the way for a more sustainable future. Register here.

IMPROVE YOUR BUSINESS’S ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY

Addressing Energy-Related Emissions

The extreme volatility in the energy market over the past few years has caused energy prices to rise dramatically, leading to significant financial costs for businesses. At the same time, thousands of companies have begun to understand the consequences of failing to act on climate change and are subsequently setting emissions reduction targets to achieve net zero by 2050 at the latest.

Join us for the Addressing Energy-Related Emissions webinar series to explore the practical steps businesses can take to improve their energy efficiency and productivity while reducing overall energy use, and how to effectively support the increasing generation and storage capacity of renewable energies. Register here.

ENGAGE IN EFFECTIVE, SCIENCE-BASED CLIMATE ADVOCACY

Engaging In Corporate Climate Advocacy

Corporate climate action is on the rise, but there are still critical policy gaps which must be addressed to enable businesses to deliver on their net zero goals. For significant action at scale, there is a need for clear, long-term policy direction across key areas to unlock further levers for decarbonisation and help businesses mobilise the levels of investment needed to meet their net zero targets.

Each webinar in the 4-part Engaging in Corporate Advocacy series will provide practical guidance on how companies can contribute towards driving the policy conditions needed to deliver on their net zero goals and will feature case studies of leading corporate climate policy engagement practices. This webinar series is kindly supported by Clyde & Co . Register here.

CONTRIBUTING TO ACHIEVING THE 2030 AGENDA

SDG Showcase

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are not just another sustainability framework, but the only universally agreed blueprint to turn meaningful ambition into transformational change. However, businesses report difficulties in integrating the SDGs into their core strategies and in understanding, reporting, and managing their impact on the Goals.

The UN Global Compact Network UK is launching the SDG Showcase report to demonstrate the wide range of possibilities for businesses to turn their sustainability ambition into action and secure business benefits by positively contributing to the SDGs. You can download the report here.

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR GENDER EQUALITY

Target Gender Equality Accelerator

Evidence shows that companies with more gender balance across all levels of their organisation enjoy better financial performance.

To help companies to set and reach ambitious targets for women’s representation in leadership and gender equality more generally, the UN Global Compact Network UK is launching the fifth edition of our Target Gender Equality Accelerator.?

By joining, companies will gain an in-depth understanding of their gender equality performance and unpack the business case for diversity, equity, and inclusion. This programme is open to all UN Global Compact Network UK participants, you can find more information about this programme here.

The UN Global Compact is proud to work with over 20,000 forward-thinking global companies committed to advancing the sustainability agenda.?You can check if your company is a participant?here.

We welcome our newest members including:

Alirity | Ashtead Group Plc | Black Sun Global | Broadway | Chapman Freeborn Airchartering | Crux Product Design | Cycle? | ESG Benchmark Group | FirstGroup plc | GovRisk | INTUITION IT SOLUTIONS LIMITED | MHA | Pluxee UK | Principal People - HSEQ Recruitment | The Admirable Crichton | Vision Linens

If you would like to know about the benefits of joining the UN Global Compact and its UK Network, watch our recent info-session recording here.