The United Nations and Sustainability

In September 2015 the 193 Member States of the United Nations came together to adopt a plan. “Agenda 2030” is a roadmap towards a better future for everyone around the world, ending extreme poverty, fighting injustice and inequality and protecting planet earth.

This plan includes 17 different goals for sustainable development, and these goals could transform the world we live in. They are big ambitions, but with enough people around the world all working together, we can achieve them.

The trouble is, even the best goals can be hard to achieve. What can one person, or one business, do to improve global water supplies for example? When you look at the 17 goals it’s difficult to know where to start. This is where the UN Global Compact comes in.

Ten principle ways to do business

The Compact is a set of principles designed to change the way companies all over the world do business. Sustainability isn’t just about planting a few trees or using recycled packaging, it has to start with a company’s values and developing a principles-based way of doing business. Establishing a culture of integrity, responsibility and sound ethical practices before all else.

The UN Global Compact consists of ten principles that businesses are asked to sign up to. In doing so, they make a commitment to uphold those principles in everything they do. The principles cover four areas – human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.

Human Rights

Businesses should:
1) support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights.
2) make sure they are not complicit in human rights abuse.

Labour

Businesses should uphold:
3) the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining
4) the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour
5) the effective abolition of child labour
6) and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation

Environment

Businesses should:
7) support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges
8) undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility
9) and encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies

Anti-Corruption

10) businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.

The UN Global Compact and Gemar

You won’t be surprised to hear that Gemar has made the commitment to uphold the ten principles of the UN Global Compact. Sustainability goes to the heart of what we do, and we welcome any opportunity to learn and improve. As industry leaders we are committed to creating the world we want to live in, for the whole global community.