United Nations Global Compact (UNGC)

The UNGC is a voluntary UN initiative promoting sustainable and ethical business practices.

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What is it?

A voluntary initiative to encourage businesses worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies, and to report on their implementation.

Who is it for?

The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) is a voluntary initiative aimed at encouraging businesses and organizations worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies. It is designed for companies, non-governmental organizations, and other entities committed to aligning their operations and strategies with ten universal principles related to human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption.

The UNGC is for:

  1. Businesses: Companies looking to integrate sustainability into their operations and improve their corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices.
  2. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Organizations that want to collaborate with business sectors to promote sustainable development and social responsibility.
  3. Governments: Public sector entities interested in fostering partnerships with businesses to achieve national sustainability goals.
  4. Academic Institutions: Schools and universities aiming to educate students about sustainable practices and engage in research related to global challenges.
  5. Civil Society: Groups and individuals interested in promoting ethical practices and holding businesses accountable for their social and environmental impact.

Overall, the UNGC serves as a platform for these stakeholders to share best practices, develop partnerships, and collectively work towards a more sustainable and inclusive global economy.

When was it introduced?

The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) is a policy initiative started in July 2000. This strategic program was launched by then-UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan. It was designed for businesses seeking to align their strategies and operations with ten universally accepted principles. These principles are centered around the areas of human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.

Over the years, the UNGC has seen various updates. A significant revision occurred in 2015 which brought the compact in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This increased its focus on sustainability and responsible business practices.

Since the 2015 update, the UNGC has continued to evolve, advocating for responsible corporate citizenship. This has resulted in ongoing initiatives and frameworks that aim to keep the compact relevant amidst the ever-changing global challenges.

Why is it important?

The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) is important for several reasons:

  1. Promotes Sustainable Development: The UNGC encourages businesses and organizations to align their operations and strategies with the Ten Principles of the Compact, which focus on human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption. This fosters responsible and sustainable business practices.
  2. Global Collaboration: The UNGC creates a platform for companies, governments, and civil society to collaborate on solutions to global challenges, such as climate change, inequality, and economic instability.
  3. Guidelines for Corporate Responsibility: The principles provide a clear framework that helps organizations understand their responsibilities in society, promoting ethical behavior and corporate social responsibility.
  4. Networking Opportunities: Businesses that join the UNGC gain access to a vast network of like-minded organizations, which can lead to partnerships, knowledge sharing, and enhanced innovation.
  5. Reputation and Trust: Participating in the UNGC can enhance a company's reputation, demonstrating a commitment to ethical practices and sustainable development, which can build trust with stakeholders, including customers, employees, and investors.
  6. Reporting and Accountability: The UNGC encourages companies to report on their sustainability practices, which promotes transparency and accountability. This helps drive continuous improvement in corporate sustainability efforts.
  7. Influence on Global Policies: By working together, UNGC participants can have a greater impact on global policy-making, advocating for frameworks that promote sustainability and ethical practices worldwide.

In summary, the UNGC plays a critical role in advancing responsible corporate behavior and sustainable development through collaboration, guidelines, and accountability.

What do organisations need to do?

To comply with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), organizations can follow these key steps:

  1. Commit to the UNGC Principles: Understand and commit to the ten principles of the UNGC, which cover human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.
  2. Integrate the Principles: Incorporate the principles into corporate policies and procedures. This should include embedding them into the organizational culture and ensuring they are reflected in decision-making processes.
  3. Engage Stakeholders: Involve employees, suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders in discussions about the UNGC and its principles. Foster a culture of sustainability and responsibility within the organizational ecosystem.
  4. Conduct a Self-Assessment: Evaluate current practices against the UNGC principles. Identify areas for improvement and develop strategies to enhance compliance.
  5. Implement Action Plans: Create and implement action plans to address any gaps identified in the self-assessment. This might include training programs, operational changes, and policy updates.
  6. Monitor Progress: Establish metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track progress on implementing the UNGC principles. Regular monitoring helps ensure accountability and facilitates continuous improvement.
  7. Report Annually: Organizations must submit an annual Communication on Progress (COP) to the UNGC, detailing their efforts to comply with the principles and progress made. This report should be transparent and accessible to stakeholders.
  8. Stay Informed and Engage with the UNGC Network: Actively participate in UNGC local networks and global initiatives. This helps organizations stay engaged with developments in sustainability and share best practices with other businesses.
  9. Promote Awareness and Training: Educate employees and management about the UNGC principles and their importance. Provide training to ensure that everyone in the organization understands their role in compliance.
  10. Collaborate and Participate: Collaborate with other organizations, NGOs, and government bodies on initiatives related to the UNGC principles. Engaging in partnerships can amplify impact and drive collective action.

By following these steps, organizations can not only comply with the UNGC but also contribute to global efforts toward sustainable development and responsible business practices.

What are the benefits?

The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) is a voluntary initiative that encourages businesses to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies. Here are the general benefits of participating in the UNGC:

  1. Enhanced Reputation: Companies that commit to the UNGC can improve their brand image and credibility by demonstrating their commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
  2. Access to Resources: Participants gain access to a wealth of resources, including best practices, toolkits, and case studies that can help them implement sustainable practices.
  3. Networking Opportunities: The UNGC provides a platform for companies to connect with like-minded organizations, NGOs, and other stakeholders, fostering collaboration and partnerships.
  4. Stakeholder Engagement: Being part of the UNGC can help businesses engage with stakeholders, including employees, customers, and investors, who increasingly value sustainability and ethical practices.
  5. Risk Management: Adopting sustainable practices can help companies identify and mitigate risks related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors.
  6. Market Opportunities: Companies that align their operations with sustainability principles may unlock new market opportunities and enhance their competitiveness.
  7. Employee Morale and Retention: Engaging in socially responsible practices can boost employee satisfaction and retention by fostering a sense of purpose and belonging.
  8. Compliance and Standards: Participation in the UNGC helps companies align with international standards and frameworks, potentially easing regulatory compliance.
  9. Impact Measurement: The UNGC encourages companies to measure and report their sustainability progress, helping them to track performance and communicate their impact effectively.
  10. Long-term Viability: By embracing sustainability, companies can enhance their long-term viability and resilience in an evolving global market.

If you have a specific organization in mind related to the UNGC, please provide more details, so the information can be tailored accordingly.

Our consultants

Our results

Using independent sustainability consultants with Leafr just makes sense

3x

More cost effective

Clients report significant savings compared to alternative hiring approaches

Lower Risks
48 hrs

Hiring time

We will find you the best person for the role in record time

High Project
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Trial to hire rate

We offer a risk-free trial period on every project. Not satisfied? Find someone else for free

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Here’s what our customers say

Hear how our vetted sustainability consultants have driven meaningful change for our clients

Good communication, flexible schedule and delivered exactly what was agreed and on time. Would work with her again!

Alexander Pfeiffer
CEO
at
Terralytiq

Tom helped us with calculating our carbon footprint outputs from 2019 to 2023. He managed everything end to end with minimal client direction. It was seamless and effortless. He's an excellent professional.

Bolu
COO
at
Miai

The support's been great from when we first started speaking, you wrote the brief for me and did all the sourcing. So that was fantastic. Communication has been great. The level of engagement has been brilliant.

Nick Anderdon
CFO
at
Freddies Flowers

‍Working with Leafr has been a pleasure from the beginning. Leafr has a wide network of talented individuals, and they have been able to seamlessly connect us with strong candidates for our various projects.

Lara
Partner
at
Xynteo

Leafr's marketplace boasts an extensive network of highly talented individuals. They have effortlessly connected us with great candidates. Leafr has become our go-to for skilled sustainability professionals.

Brenan Hodkinson
CRO
at
Apiday

Whenever you hire consultants you worry whether they'll be as motivated or skilled as your team. Every Leafr consultant has been so impressive. We spoke to several sustainability agencies and this has been far better value.

Guadalupe Oliver
CEO
at
Candoe

Our expert immediately became a seamless addition to our team. Her work showed a mastery of ESG and a strong understanding of the financial sector. We'd love the opportunity to work with her again.

Jess Katz
Director
at
TRIPTIK

What you get by working with us

When you work with Leafr, we make sure to deliver - every time.

Flexibility

Flexibility

We adapt to your needs, offering tailored solutions that evolve as your sustainability goals and challenges change.

Quality

Quality

We don’t compromise. We connect you with specialists who deliver exceptional work, ensuring every project meets the highest standards.

Value

Value

We maximise impact while keeping costs low, ensuring you get exceptional results within your budget, with a clear focus on return on investment.

Commitment - Workplace X Webflow Template

Commitment

Your mission becomes ours. We’re dedicated to supporting you from start to finish, no matter the complexity or duration.

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Ownership

We take responsibility for our work, proactively managing projects and driving outcomes that align with your vision.

The values that drive everything we do

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Flexibility

Flexibility

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Quality

Quality

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Value

Value

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Commitment - Workplace X Webflow Template

Commitment

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Ownership - Workplace X Webflow Template

Ownership

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Do you need to align with a specific framework or regulation?

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Our consultants have delivered for the best across industries

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Construction & Real Estate
Place for People
Construction & Real Estate
Foster and Partners
Construction & Real Estate
Battersea Powerstation
Banking and Investment
Clarien
Banking and Investment
Tokoro Capital
Construction & Real Estate
Broll
Construction & Real Estate
Hilti Group
Banking and Investment
M&G
Banking and Investment
IP Group
Banking and Investment
UBS
Banking and Investment
Morgan Stanley
Banking and Investment
Apex
Banking and Investment
JP Morgan
Banking and Investment
Planet A Ventures
Banking and Investment
Natwest
Banking and Investment
Triodos Bank
Banking and Investment
Sustainable Ventures
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Our vetting process

Each applicant must pass our stringent vetting process before working with clients. Only those meeting our high standards are accepted. We test for behavioural competency, technical skills,  sustainability experience, and culture fit.

20% pass rate

In-depth skill review

Each consultant submits a written application along with case studies of their work. This ensures they have the specialised technical skills to tackle your sustainability challenges.

12% pass rate

Live screening

We interview each candidate for behavioural and technical skills, and test against our detailed  sustainability skillset matrix. We also ask for references and testimonials.

3% pass rate

Test projects & peer review

With the help of our experts, we review past projects to verify the consultant’s ability to deliver impactful sustainability outcomes.

Need help with your sustainability initiatives?

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How it works

Go from search to hire in as little as 48 hrs.

Project

1. Create project

Post your job description or work with us to write one on your behalf

Talent

2. See the best profiles

No more sifting through 100s of CVs. See a shortlist of the best 3-5 consultants within hours.

Interview

3. Interview & start project

Hire your favourite candidate and start working. There is a risk-free trial period on each project.

Frequently asked questions

Hiring a sustainability consultant can be a daunting process. Here we answer some of the common concerns we hear.

Will the consultant be available when I need them?

Leafr consultants are committed to your project�s success. We ensure they have the availability you need, and our support team is on hand to address any urgent requirements. Our consultants are trusted by top organisations because of their reliability and commitment.

How will you handle our sensitive or confidential information?

Confidentiality is a top priority at Leafr. All consultants sign strict non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and are trained to handle sensitive information with the utmost care, ensuring your business data remains secure. This is part of why organisations worldwide trust our consultants.

What if the consultant pushes solutions that are too expensive to implement?

Leafr consultants focus on providing cost-effective, practical solutions. They work within your budget constraints and prioritise recommendations that offer the most value without unnecessary expenditure. We offer a risk-free period so you can evaluate their proposals without financial risk.

Will working with a consultant disrupt our current operations?

Our consultants are skilled at integrating smoothly into existing operations. They work with minimal disruption, focusing on enhancing your processes rather than interrupting them. Their experience with top organisations ensures a seamless fit into your team.

I'm worried the consultant might leave the project halfway through.

Continuity is ensured through our rigorous project management oversight. Leafr consultants are committed professionals, and we have contingency plans in place to guarantee that your project will be completed even if unforeseen circumstances arise. Our 100% project satisfaction rating is a testament to our reliability.

I'm worried about committing long-term just to see results.

Leafr offers flexible engagement options. Whether you need short-term assistance or long-term support, we tailor our services to match your desired commitment level. Our risk-free period allows you to explore these options without long-term obligations.

What happens if the consultant becomes unavailable or the project gets delayed?

We have a robust network of consultants, so if any unexpected issues arise, we can quickly provide an equally qualified replacement to keep your project on track. Leafr�s support team is always available to manage and mitigate any potential delays. We also offer a risk-free period to give you peace of mind.

Is the cost-benefit ratio of hiring a consultant really worth it?

Leafr consultants are chosen for their ability to deliver clear ROI. We ensure that the value they bring far outweighs the investment, with tailored solutions that directly impact your bottom line. Plus, our risk-free period allows you to assess the value without commitment.

Will the consultant communicate effectively with our team?

Effective communication is a cornerstone of our consultants� approach. We ensure clear, consistent communication throughout the project, fostering collaboration and alignment with your team. This commitment to communication is a key factor in our 100% project satisfaction rating.

Will my team need retraining after the consultant leaves?

Our consultants focus on knowledge transfer, equipping your team with the skills and understanding they need to sustain progress after the project concludes. This ensures that the improvements are lasting and your team remains confident moving forward.

Will the consultant stay updated with the latest sustainability trends and regulations?

Leafr consultants are experts in their fields, continuously updating their knowledge of the latest trends and regulations. We ensure they bring the most current insights to your project, supported by ongoing training and development opportunities.

I'm concerned about how to assess the consultant's performance effectively.

Leafr provides clear metrics and regular updates, allowing you to track the consultant�s progress and assess the impact of their work. We also encourage feedback to ensure expectations are met. Our 100% project satisfaction rating reflects our dedication to transparency and performance.

How soon will we see results from the consultant's work?

While sustainability initiatives often have long-term goals, our consultants focus on delivering quick wins and measurable progress early in the engagement, ensuring you see value from the outset. Our risk-free period allows you to experience these early results firsthand.

I'm worried the consultant might not fully commit if they have multiple clients.

Our consultants are dedicated to delivering results. Leafr carefully manages consultant workloads to ensure your project receives the attention and commitment it deserves. Our 100% project satisfaction rating is a testament to our consultants� focus and dedication.

What if the consultant doesn't understand my specific industry or business model?

At Leafr, we thoroughly vet our consultants to ensure they have deep expertise in various industries. We match you with specialists who have proven experience in your sector, ensuring they understand your unique challenges and goals. Our consultants have been trained and trusted by the best organisations worldwide.

Not sure where to start?

Book a free call with an expert in X of our consultants. They will help you understand your current position, build out an initial strategy and prioritise the most impactful projects to work on.

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