New York – The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) have joined forces to mobilize the private sector as a key player in achieving our world’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs, to be launched by the United Nations in September 2015, seek to end poverty, ensure a life of dignity and opportunity for all, and protect our planet’s stability.
This post-2015 development agenda presents a historic opportunity for businesses to engage as a strong and positive influence on society. Responsible businesses can provide an extraordinary boost in realizing the SDGs through innovation, investment, a mass customer base, and a global labour force. The SDGs, in turn, can amplify the opportunity for business to be successful by improving the enabling environment and by providing inspiration, direction and a platform for more effective partnerships.
Partnership of GRI, UN Global Compact and WBCSD
The partnership of GRI, the UN Global Compact and WBCSD brings together an international network of professionals as well as perspectives of forward-thinking companies from around the world. Together, they will produce an implementation guide on impact assessment, KPI selection and goal setting, a publication that will support businesses in assessing their impacts, aligning their strategies with the SDGs, and setting company goals. This partnership runs in parallel with intergovernmental discussions on the post-2015 development agenda, with a view to develop guidance consistent with the SDGs and associated targets.
The guide is expected to be published in 2015 following the launch of the SDGs. It will support companies with the following elements to align business strategies with the SDGs:
- Guide companies on existing principles, methodologies and standards to assess and communicate their impact across the SDGs;
- Present an inventory of indicators that can be used by companies to assess impact against particular SDGs and their corresponding targets; and
- Provide direction on how companies can enhance the quality of their sustainability goals, position them as commitments, and communicate them in a meaningful and credible manner.
Business is called upon to join in this momentous endeavour to implement the Sustainable Development Goals. Visionary and forward-looking companies must take the lead in pushing the sustainable development agenda forward, and make the case for business everywhere to join in the effort to achieve the SDGs.
Information on the SDGs can be found at: sustainabledevelopment.un.org
Source: GRI.
