Organizational Governance Organizational Governance

UN Calling on Local Business Leaders, Changemakers to ‘Pioneer’ Action on SDGs

To spur action and inspire businesses to help advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, or global goals), the United Nations (UN) Global Compact announced a multi-year Local Network SDG Action Plan last month.

By Sustainable Brands | Published 8 years ago | About a 3 minute read

To spur action and inspire businesses to help advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, or global goals), the United Nations (UN) Global Compact announced a multi-year Local Network SDG Action Plan last month.

The Action Plan is also intended to assist the UN Global Compact’s Local Networks in the development and execution of SDG implementation strategies and, where possible, link them with national plans of action. Local Networks will deliver “SDG Kick-start Workshops” that will engage UN Global Compact the 13,000+ participants to help identify local priorities and opportunities related to the SDGs, as well as highlight those who are driving sustainable development in local markets.

Another of the Action Plan’s main initiatives will also highlight individuals who have made an impact. The “Local SDG Pioneers” programme will honor select business leaders and changemakers who can demonstrate: business success through the advancement of sustainable development in their country; or that they have advocated for and mobilized action on sustainable development at the local level. Individuals acting on new SDG business opportunities can nominate themselves through April 30, 2016.

“Our new annual Local SDG Pioneers campaign is designed to make global goals local business.” said Lise Kingo, the Executive Director of the UN Global Compact. “As we embark on achieving the SDGs, the UN Global Compact is taking the lead on turning these goals into drivers for sustainable business innovation.”

A Pioneers Selection Group of public, private and not-for-profit sector experts will vote for nominees based on a set of criteria and identify 5 finalists in each of the two categories (business leaders and changemakers). The Pioneer in each category with the most votes will receive special recognition at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit, taking place on June 22 and 23, 2016, and will enter into a year-long programme with the UN Global Compact to further develop the Pioneers’ global potential and support their ambitions.

Nominees must be directly affiliated with an organization that is an active participant in the UN Global Compact or a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) to be eligible for consideration. Organizations interested in joining the UN Global Compact may apply, and business schools may apply to the PRME.

The** UN Business Action Hub** is platform where UN agencies and business engage in dialogue, share information and take action to advance UN objectives and the SDGs.
The SDG Compass – developed jointly by GRI, the UN Global Compact and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) – guides companies in taking a strategic approach to the SDGs and enhancing their contribution to sustainable development through core business activities.
The SDG Industry Matrix – developed jointly by KPMG and the UN Global Compact – provides practical guidance for companies and showcases industry-specific examples and ideas for corporate action related to each SDG.