The UN Global Compact, also known as Global Compact, is an initiative launched in 2000 by the then Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan. It is a voluntary platform that brings together companies and organizations committed to promoting universal principles in the areas of human rights, labor, the environment and the fight against corruption.

The Global Compact aims to mobilize the business sector to adopt sustainable and responsible practices, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Companies participating in the Global Compact are encouraged to embed the ten universal principles into their day-to-day strategies and operations, as well as take action to support the SDGs.

The ten principles of the UN Global Compact are based on widely accepted international instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Labor Organization Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the United Nations Convention against Corruption. These principles are:

• Human rights:

Support and respect the protection of fundamental human rights.

Not colluding with human rights violations.

• Work:

Guarantee freedom of association and effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining.

Eliminate all forms of forced or compulsory labor.

Eradicate child labor.

Eliminate employment discrimination.

• Environment:

Support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges.

Promote environmental responsibility.

Stimulate the development and dissemination of environmentally friendly technologies.

• Anti-corruption:

Combat corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.

Companies that adhere to the Global Compact undertake to communicate annually their activities in relation to these principles, promoting transparency and accountability. In addition, they are encouraged to participate in local and global networks to share good practices and collaborate in implementing the principles.

The UN Global Compact plays an important role in promoting corporate social responsibility and raising awareness of the importance of sustainability in business. It provides a global framework for business engagement in pursuit of more inclusive and sustainable development, in line with the UN vision for a better future for all.

The UN Global Compact includes a set of principles that address the environmental issue and encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices. The principles related to the environment are:

• Support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges: Companies are encouraged to take a proactive stance in identifying and preventing negative environmental impacts in their operations. This involves considering environmental risks and implementing measures to minimize them.
• Promote Environmental Responsibility: Businesses should promote awareness of the importance of environmental protection and take responsibility for their environmental impacts. This includes adopting appropriate environmental management practices, such as reducing consumption of natural resources, minimizing waste generation and implementing energy efficiency measures.
• Stimulate the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies: Companies are encouraged to invest in research and development of clean and environmentally friendly technologies. This includes supporting technological innovation to reduce environmental impacts and promote the transition to a low-carbon economy.

By joining the UN Global Compact, companies commit to integrating these environmental principles into their business strategies and daily operations. They are encouraged to set environmental performance targets and indicators, to report transparently on their practices and to collaborate with other companies and stakeholders to promote environmental sustainability.

In addition to the principles of the Global Compact, the UN also developed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which constitute a global agenda to address socio-environmental challenges. The SDGs provide a more comprehensive framework for collective action towards a sustainable future, and companies are encouraged to align their strategies and practices with the SDGs relevant to the environment.

Private companies are also part of the Global Compact. Recently, the 193 member countries of the United Nations unanimously approved the 2030 Agenda, a global action plan that sets out the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This approval took place in 2015 and since then it has been implemented worldwide. The 2030 Agenda represents a collective commitment to promote sustainability and address socio-environmental challenges, with specific targets to be achieved by the year 2030.