World’s largest corporate sustainability initiative opens chapter in Ireland

November 2024

Topic

Climate Journal reporting ⬤ Author

A special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, the United Nations Global Compact, will officially launch its Irish chapter on November 28th at Dublin’s Exo Building to accelerate actions towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030.

Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the UN Global Compact will open the exclusive event where senior representatives from business, government, academia, and civil society will explore how ambitious change can be implemented for a more sustainable future in Ireland.

At the current COP29, the UN Climate Change Conference held in Baku, Azerbaijan, Ojiambo emphasised that the world is “so far off in terms of climate targets and where we need to be" and that providing clear pathways for the private sector is crucial.

The launch event will provide more insights about the UN Global Compact and programmes such as the Forward Faster initiative, a global platform for credible, ambitious corporate action to guide companies on where to make the most significant impact the fastest.

Nessa Whelan, United Nations Global Compact Ireland Country Manager, highlights that Ireland needs forward-thinking leaders from the private sector committed to prioritising sustainability.

Nessa Whelan, United Nations Global Compact Ireland Country Manager

“The official launch of the network in Ireland marks a groundbreaking milestone towards driving positive, sustainable change. New members can expect to join like-minded organisations that will advance their business beyond mere regulatory compliance towards sustainable actions that add true value through longevity and profitability.”

She adds that since only 17% of the United Nations’ SDGs are on track to be achieved by the 2030 original deadline, introducing the Forward Faster initiative in Ireland to increase accountability and transparency is a major step in accelerating change.

“The Forward Faster initiative will be adopted in Ireland by focusing on key areas where businesses can drive rapid progress on the SDGs. These include gender equality, climate action, living wages, water resilience, and sustainable finance,”

Whelan explains.

The Forward Faster initiative by UN Global Compact aims to accelerate actions to deliver on SDG targets by 2030.

The launch event will feature high-level discussions with national and international speakers, including David McRedmond, CEO of An Post, and Noel Keeley, CEO of Musgraves Ltd and other influential figures, to provide insights, facilitate the exchange of ideas and foster collaborations.

To join the UN Global Compact Network Ireland, businesses must align their operations with the Ten Principles covering human rights, labour standards, environment, and anti-corruption. This requires a public commitment from their CEO and submitting an annual Communication on Progress (CoP).

Regarding benefits for businesses, Whelan says: “Participants receive access to a range of training sessions, workshops, and best practice resources that guide them in embedding sustainability into their operations. Furthermore, they gain visibility for their leadership in sustainability and are supported in meeting emerging regulatory requirements related to sustainable business practices, helping them remain competitive in a changing global economy.”

The UN Global Compact Network Ireland will provide companies with tailored support, resources, and learning opportunities to accelerate their progress while encouraging them to take bold action and lead the way in creating a more sustainable and resilient economy.

To make membership accessible to businesses of all sizes, the annual fee is tiered based on company size and revenue so new registrants can join the network of existing Irish members such as An Post, DAA, Smurfit Kappa, Ryanair, ICON plc, and AIB.

With over 15,000 companies and 3,000 non-business signatories based in over 160 countries, involving 69 Local Networks, the UN Global Compact has become the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative since its launch in 2000, accelerating change at scale to deliver on the SDG targets by 2030.