Surveys and research, both within the UN Global Compact and externally, have shown that smaller and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face greater barriers than large companies in meeting sustainability standards, let alone taking actions to pursue and promote sustainability. SMEs often provide important services and products in the supply chain of larger companies and account for more than 50% of employment worldwide, and creating opportunities for SMEs is a key way to advance development and reduce poverty. This webinar explored various methods of how companies, Global Compact Local Networks and other stakeholders can support SMEs’ commitment to sustainability.

Principle 6 of the Children’s Rights and Business Principles indicates that all businesses should use marketing and advertising that respect and support children’s rights. Co-hosted by UNICEF, UN Global Compact and Save the Children, this webinar explored how companies can ensure that their communication and marketing approaches do not have an adverse impact on children. Further it reviewed how marketing may be used to raise awareness of and promote children’s rights. The discussion also included examples of global standards and voluntary trends in this area.

Principle 3 of the Children’s Rights and Business Principles (CRBPs) indicates that all businesses should provide decent work for young workers, parents and caregivers. This webinar explored how companies can commit to supporting children’s rights by paying particular attention to the rights of young workers – who are above the minimum age of employment – as well as parents and caregivers. The discussion looked at what kind of support companies can provide to implement Principle 3, including provisions of safe working conditions for young workers, paid leave, breastfeeding and child care facilities, agile working hours, and the benefits of providing such support. The webinar also included specific examples from business.

PRI in conjunction with the PRI Investor Steering Committee on Human Rights identified a list of 50 large global extractive companies considered to be particularly exposed to human rights risks. Drawing from these company examples, this guidance explores best practices and challenges in implementing the UN Guiding Principles in extractive industries, and identifies six areas for investor engagement. The guidance also provides useful case studies, questions for engagement and resources for each of the six areas outlined.

Over the past few years, human rights have taken an increasingly prominent place in supply chain management. This Good Practice Note provides guidance on how to identify, prioritize, and respect supply chain human rights risks in a way that aligns with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Sometimes effective prioritization is needed when companies face a host of potential adverse human rights impacts to which they cannot respond simultaneously.

The ‘5 x 5 stepping stones’ presented in this handbook have been developed based on the stories and strategies of NGOs, unions and child labour free zone members worldwide. The handbook shows that - in spite of poverty - it is really possible to get children out of work and into school. It can be used by community-based organisations, NGOs and unions, but is also insightful for companies and policymakers who want to learn about this innovative approach to stopping child labour.

The UN Global Compact works with business to transform our world, aiming to create a sustainable and inclusive global economy that delivers lasting benefits to all people, communities and markets.

Recommends good practices for developing water stewardship initiatives in an inclusive and transparent manner that ensures sustainable water management. The guide was developed by the Global Compact, Water Integrity Network (WIN), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Water Witness International, Partnerships in Practice and Pegasys, and includes an interactive online tool.

With less than a third of stock exchanges currently providing written guidance to companies on ESG reporting, an information gap has emerged, preventing investors and other stakeholders from being able to access all of the information necessary to effectively evaluate listed companies. This is a resource for exchanges to ensure all markets provide reporting guidance to companies on the inclusion of ESG factors.

The Anti-Corruption Call to Action is an appeal from business and investors to governments to implement policies and practices for good governance and anti-corruption. This webinar provides an overview of the Call to Action, a discussion of anti-corruption in the Post-2015 Development Agenda, anti-corruption incentive mechanisms, and ways to engage in the Call to Action.

Sporting events have become popular platforms for companies to enhance their visibility and connect with fans, and sport sponsorship can help companies enter new markets, shape branding and corporate image, and establish emotional connections to their products and services. The Global Compact Anti-Corruption Working Group released a guide on “Fighting Corruption in Sport Sponsorship and Hospitality” in December 2013 to provide guidance on how to enhance transparency in sport sponsorship and hospitality. This webinar discusses some of the main challenges, risks and opportunities in this area as well as provides an introduction to the guide.

Guides companies on how they can align their strategies as well as measure and manage their contribution to the realization of the SDGs. The SDG Compass presents five steps that assist companies in maximizing their contribution to the SDGs: understanding the SDGs, defining priorities, goal setting, integrating sustainability and reporting.