THE MAIN PRINCIPLE OF SUSTAINABILITY IS THE COMMON GOOD |
WHEN DID THE SUSTAINABILITY
PRINCIPLES BEGAN?
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Sustainability leadership principles refer to leaders reflecting upon and reaffirming our shared values and common future. Sustainability leadership begins with the acknowledgement of our interdependence as people on this planet with the rights and responsibilities for economic prosperity and social equity for all. The United Nations 2030 Agenda confirms these basic principles of sustainability and the effort for sustainable development and a future reflecting the integrated societal, environmental and economic values. Agreed to by heads of state in 2015 and under the leadership of the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, the 2030 Agenda is an expression of a global commitment of the 193-member states of the United Nations to achieve 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets in 15 years (2015-2030). This new agenda reflects a paradigm shift for the world realizing that only principled, integrated and practical sustainable development coordinated actions can lead us to a common and better future for all.
Ban Ki-moon
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“Sustainable development is the central challenge of our times. Our world is under strain. Poverty continues to plague communities and families. Climate change threatens livelihoods. Conflicts are raging. Inequalities are deepening. These crises will only worsen unless we change course. This is why world leaders are hard at work on a new development agenda – including a set of concrete sustainable development goals – to help guide humanity to safety and prosperity. It is critical that we understand how sustainable development can be achieved in practice, on the ground in all part of the world. […]. Together, we can build a future of shared prosperity and a life of dignity for all.” Ban Ki-moon, Eight Secretary General of the United Nations |
Gro Harlem Brundtland
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“Leadership always means taking the long view, inspired by our common needs and a clear sense on sharing the responsibility for taking the necessary action. In our time, it means thinking even farther ahead the leaders had to do one or two generations ago. Now we have the evidence to show us that our human activities, the footsteps of our own time, will affect negatively the lives and choices we leave for future generations in a potentially disastrous way, due to our own overstepping of planetary boundaries. We face a moral challenge to act and to act in time to protect the planet Earth and the livelihoods for new generations.” Gro Harlem Brundtland, Chair the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED). |
Kofi Annan
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"I propose that you, the business leaders gathered in Davos, and we, the United Nations, initiate a global compact of shared values and principles, which will give a human face to the global market. [...]. Specifically, I call on you -- individually through your firms, and collectively through your business associations -- to embrace, support and enact a set of core values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, and environmental practices. Why those three? In the first place, because they are all areas where you, as businessmen and women, can make a real difference. Secondly, they are areas in which universal values have already been defined by international agreements, including the Universal Declaration, the International Labour Organization's Declaration on fundamental principles and rights at work, and the Rio Declaration of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992. Finally, I choose these three areas because they are ones where I fear that, if we do not act, there may be a threat to the open global market, and especially to the multilateral trade regime." |
The UNGC Principles and SDGs
Since the year 2000, the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) has been crucial for the advancement of sustainability leadership through a corporate alignment with ten principles and four pillars of human rights, labor rights, environmental rights, and anti-corruption. The Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact are derived from: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. Through an open and voluntary reporting mechanism where corporate leaders share their business values and renewed actions aligned with the SDGs. The 2030 Agenda, even more than the MDGs, provide an opportunity for the UNGC multi-stakeholder partners to practice principles in a strong and renewed social contract. The UNGC voluntary reporting and engagement system aims at more than compliance and risk-mitigation. It inspires leaders to promote a shared-values and principles-based approach of doing business. This means operating in ways that, at a minimum, the business-corporation meets fundamental responsibilities in the four areas and at an ideal level they engage in partnerships directly contributing to the 2030 Agenda. Sustainability leaders that actively and effectively incorporate UNGC Ten Principles into a company’s strategies, policies and procedures have the possibility to sustain a culture of integrity and a strategy for long-term success. Learn more here https://www.unglobalcompact.org/sdgs/17-global-goals
Sustainability Timeline
Click on the image to explore more events, drivers and milestones for sustainability and corporate citizenship for social responsibility.
What are the Sustainability Principles?
Toward a principled shared cross-sector agenda...
The integrated notion of sustainable development and the achievement of the ambitious and comprehensive SDG Agenda requires us to build capacity for effective partnerships across sectors. It requires a shared knowledge on effective organizational practices and strategic systemic policies for partnerships among governments, the private sector, civil society, the United Nations system and other actors. The UN Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform is the main portal for understanding the SDGs and their implementation processes.
The basic principle that no one can be left behind...
The SDG agenda is based on the principle that no one can be left behind. That there are too many people in extreme and vulnerable situations of insecurity. It is based on the notion that the value of our civilizations is judged by how we reach out to those people and situations who are in distress at the margins of our national and global affairs.
The integrated notion of sustainable development and the achievement of the ambitious and comprehensive SDG Agenda requires us to build capacity for effective partnerships across sectors. It requires a shared knowledge on effective organizational practices and strategic systemic policies for partnerships among governments, the private sector, civil society, the United Nations system and other actors. The UN Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform is the main portal for understanding the SDGs and their implementation processes.
The basic principle that no one can be left behind...
The SDG agenda is based on the principle that no one can be left behind. That there are too many people in extreme and vulnerable situations of insecurity. It is based on the notion that the value of our civilizations is judged by how we reach out to those people and situations who are in distress at the margins of our national and global affairs.
Sustainability is about achieving the present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to achieve their own needs.
Overall, sustainability is based on the principles that all have rights for a better life, a life of dignity based on the fundamental human rights and on the awareness that we are part of an eco-system and a planetary equilibrium that requires our own global responsibility. In other words, sustainability is an integrative concept closely related to the values and principles of global citizenship and global-social responsibility. It is about realizing the interconnectedness of our selves with our organizational and corporate decisions and with the systems elements of our local and global societies.
Sustainability has its foundation the principle--based preoccupation for practices that promote well-being of People, the preservations of our natural resources in this Planet, the elimination of extreme poverty for a life of prosperity for all, through the promotion of peace based on human rights, justice and rule of law, and through the partnership we need to have across nations, sectors and communities.
The Goals and targets for each goal are designed to stimulate action between 2015 and 20130 in areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet. The Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development document highlights these 5P commitments as:
P1 People: We are determined to end poverty and hunger, in all their forms and dimensions, and to ensure that all human beings can fulfill their potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment.
P2 Planet: We are determined to protect the planet from degradation, including through sustainable consumption and production, sustainably managing its natural resources and taking urgent action on climate change, so that it can support the needs of the present and future generations.
P3 Prosperity: We are determined to ensure that all human beings can enjoy prosperous and fulfilling lives and that economic, social and technological progress occurs in harmony with nature.
P4 Peace: We are determined to foster peaceful, just and inclusive societies which are free from fear and violence. There can be no sustainable development without peace and no peace without sustainable development.
P5 Partnership: We are determined to mobilize the means required to implement this Agenda through a revitalized Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, based on a spirit of strengthened global solidarity, focussed in particular on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable and with the participation of all countries, all stakeholders and all people.
The interlinkages and integrated nature of the Sustainable Development Goals are of crucial importance in ensuring that the purpose of the new Agenda is realized. If we realize our ambitions across the full extent of the Agenda, the lives of all will be profoundly improved and our world will be transformed for the better.
Overall, sustainability is based on the principles that all have rights for a better life, a life of dignity based on the fundamental human rights and on the awareness that we are part of an eco-system and a planetary equilibrium that requires our own global responsibility. In other words, sustainability is an integrative concept closely related to the values and principles of global citizenship and global-social responsibility. It is about realizing the interconnectedness of our selves with our organizational and corporate decisions and with the systems elements of our local and global societies.
Sustainability has its foundation the principle--based preoccupation for practices that promote well-being of People, the preservations of our natural resources in this Planet, the elimination of extreme poverty for a life of prosperity for all, through the promotion of peace based on human rights, justice and rule of law, and through the partnership we need to have across nations, sectors and communities.
The Goals and targets for each goal are designed to stimulate action between 2015 and 20130 in areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet. The Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development document highlights these 5P commitments as:
P1 People: We are determined to end poverty and hunger, in all their forms and dimensions, and to ensure that all human beings can fulfill their potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment.
P2 Planet: We are determined to protect the planet from degradation, including through sustainable consumption and production, sustainably managing its natural resources and taking urgent action on climate change, so that it can support the needs of the present and future generations.
P3 Prosperity: We are determined to ensure that all human beings can enjoy prosperous and fulfilling lives and that economic, social and technological progress occurs in harmony with nature.
P4 Peace: We are determined to foster peaceful, just and inclusive societies which are free from fear and violence. There can be no sustainable development without peace and no peace without sustainable development.
P5 Partnership: We are determined to mobilize the means required to implement this Agenda through a revitalized Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, based on a spirit of strengthened global solidarity, focussed in particular on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable and with the participation of all countries, all stakeholders and all people.
The interlinkages and integrated nature of the Sustainable Development Goals are of crucial importance in ensuring that the purpose of the new Agenda is realized. If we realize our ambitions across the full extent of the Agenda, the lives of all will be profoundly improved and our world will be transformed for the better.
The Pillars and Frameworks of the SDGs
LEARN ABOUT THE
SUSTAINABILITY PILLARS
SUSTAINABILITY PILLARS
Overview of overarching frameworks behind the sustainable development goals
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must know sdg related principles
1987: THE EARTH CHRTER PRINCIPLES
The Earth Charter has four pillars and sixteen principles:
I. Respect and Care for the Community of Life
1. Respect Earth and life in all its diversity.
2. Care for the community of life with understanding, compassion and love.
3. Build democratic societies that are just, participatory, sustainable and peaceful.
4. Secure Earth's bounty and beauty for present and future generations.
II. Ecological Integrity
5. Protect and restore the integrity of Earth's ecological systems, with special concern for biological diversity and the natural processes that sustain life.
6. Prevent harm as the best method of environmental protection and, when knowledge is limited, apply a precautionary approach.
7. Adopt patterns of production, consumption and reproduction that safeguard Earth's regenerative capacities, human rights and community well-being.
8. Advance the study of ecological sustainability and promote the open exchange and wide application of the knowledge acquired.
III. Social and Economic Justice
9. Eradicate poverty as an ethical, social and environmental imperative.
10. Ensure that economic activities and institutions at all levels promote human development in an equitable and sustainable manner.
11. Affirm gender equality and equity as prerequisites to sustainable development and ensure universal access to education, health care and economic opportunity.
12. Uphold the right of all, without discrimination, to a natural and social environment supportive of human dignity, bodily health and spiritual well-being, with special attention to the rights of indigenous peoples and minorities.
IV. Democracy, Nonviolence, and Peace
13. Strengthen democratic institutions at all levels, and provide transparency and accountability in governance, inclusive participation in decision-making, and access to justice.
14. Integrate into formal education and lifelong learning the knowledge, values and skills needed for a sustainable way of life.
15. Treat all living beings with respect and consideration.
16. Promote a culture of tolerance, nonviolence and peace.
Learn more at https://earthcharter.org
The Earth Charter has four pillars and sixteen principles:
I. Respect and Care for the Community of Life
1. Respect Earth and life in all its diversity.
2. Care for the community of life with understanding, compassion and love.
3. Build democratic societies that are just, participatory, sustainable and peaceful.
4. Secure Earth's bounty and beauty for present and future generations.
II. Ecological Integrity
5. Protect and restore the integrity of Earth's ecological systems, with special concern for biological diversity and the natural processes that sustain life.
6. Prevent harm as the best method of environmental protection and, when knowledge is limited, apply a precautionary approach.
7. Adopt patterns of production, consumption and reproduction that safeguard Earth's regenerative capacities, human rights and community well-being.
8. Advance the study of ecological sustainability and promote the open exchange and wide application of the knowledge acquired.
III. Social and Economic Justice
9. Eradicate poverty as an ethical, social and environmental imperative.
10. Ensure that economic activities and institutions at all levels promote human development in an equitable and sustainable manner.
11. Affirm gender equality and equity as prerequisites to sustainable development and ensure universal access to education, health care and economic opportunity.
12. Uphold the right of all, without discrimination, to a natural and social environment supportive of human dignity, bodily health and spiritual well-being, with special attention to the rights of indigenous peoples and minorities.
IV. Democracy, Nonviolence, and Peace
13. Strengthen democratic institutions at all levels, and provide transparency and accountability in governance, inclusive participation in decision-making, and access to justice.
14. Integrate into formal education and lifelong learning the knowledge, values and skills needed for a sustainable way of life.
15. Treat all living beings with respect and consideration.
16. Promote a culture of tolerance, nonviolence and peace.
Learn more at https://earthcharter.org
2000: THE UNITED NATIONS GLOBAL COMPACT PRINCIPLES
The UN Global Compact was initially launched in 2000 with nine Principles. On 24 June 2004, during the first Global Compact Leaders Summit, Kofi Annan announced the addition of the tenth principle against corruption in accordance with the United Nations Convention Against Corruption adopted in 2003.
Human Rights
1 Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
2 Make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.
Labour
3 Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
4 The elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
5 The effective abolition of child labour; and
6 The elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
Environment
7 Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
8 Undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
9 Encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
Anti-Corruption
10 Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.
Learn more at www.unglobalcompact.org
2005 PRINCIPLES OF RESPONSIBLE INVESTING
The United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment is an international network of investors working together to put the six principles into practice:
1. We will incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes.
2. We will be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices.
3. We will seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest.
4. We will promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry.
5. We will work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles.
6. We will each report on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles.
Learn more at www.unpri.org
The United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment is an international network of investors working together to put the six principles into practice:
1. We will incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes.
2. We will be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices.
3. We will seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest.
4. We will promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry.
5. We will work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles.
6. We will each report on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles.
Learn more at www.unpri.org
2007 PRINCIPLES FOR RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT EDUCATION
Launched in 2007 during the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit in Geneva, the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) has become the largest organised relationship between the United Nations and business schools.
PRME Principle 1 | Purpose: We will develop the capabilities of students to be future generators of sustainable value for business and society at large and to work for an inclusive and sustainable global economy.
PRME Principle 2
Principle 2 | Values: We will incorporate into our academic activities, curricula, and organisational practices the values of global social responsibility as portrayed in international initiatives such as the United Nations Global Compact.
PRME Principle 3
Principle 3 | Method: We will create educational frameworks, materials, processes and environments that enable effective learning experiences for responsible leadership.
PRME Principle 4
Principle 4 | Research: We will engage in conceptual and empirical research that advances our understanding about the role, dynamics, and impact of corporations in the creation of sustainable social, environmental and economic value.
PRME Principle 5
Principle 5 | Partnership: We will interact with managers of business corporations to extend our knowledge of their challenges in meeting social and environmental responsibilities and to explore jointly effective approaches to meeting these challenges.
PRME Principle 6
Principle 6 | Dialogue: We will facilitate and support dialog and debate among educators, students, business, government, consumers, media, civil society organisations and other interested groups and stakeholders on critical issues related to global social responsibility and sustainability.
Learn more at www.unprme.org
Launched in 2007 during the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit in Geneva, the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) has become the largest organised relationship between the United Nations and business schools.
PRME Principle 1 | Purpose: We will develop the capabilities of students to be future generators of sustainable value for business and society at large and to work for an inclusive and sustainable global economy.
PRME Principle 2
Principle 2 | Values: We will incorporate into our academic activities, curricula, and organisational practices the values of global social responsibility as portrayed in international initiatives such as the United Nations Global Compact.
PRME Principle 3
Principle 3 | Method: We will create educational frameworks, materials, processes and environments that enable effective learning experiences for responsible leadership.
PRME Principle 4
Principle 4 | Research: We will engage in conceptual and empirical research that advances our understanding about the role, dynamics, and impact of corporations in the creation of sustainable social, environmental and economic value.
PRME Principle 5
Principle 5 | Partnership: We will interact with managers of business corporations to extend our knowledge of their challenges in meeting social and environmental responsibilities and to explore jointly effective approaches to meeting these challenges.
PRME Principle 6
Principle 6 | Dialogue: We will facilitate and support dialog and debate among educators, students, business, government, consumers, media, civil society organisations and other interested groups and stakeholders on critical issues related to global social responsibility and sustainability.
Learn more at www.unprme.org
2011 WOMEN EMPOWERMENT PRINCIPLES
The Women's Empowerment Principles are a set of Principles for business offering guidance on how to empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community. They are the result of a collaboration between the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the United Nations Global Compact and are adapted from the Calvert Women's Principles®.
Principle 1: Establish high-level corporate leadership for gender equality
Principle 2: Treat all women and men fairly at work – respect and support human rights and nondiscrimination
Principle 3: Ensure the health, safety and well-being of all women and men workers
Principle 4: Promote education, training and professional development for women
Principle 5: Implement enterprise development, supply chain and marketing practices that empower women
Principle 6: Promote equality through community initiatives and advocacy
Principle 7: Measure and publicly report on progress to achieve gender equality.
Read more at: https://www.empowerwomen.org
The Women's Empowerment Principles are a set of Principles for business offering guidance on how to empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community. They are the result of a collaboration between the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the United Nations Global Compact and are adapted from the Calvert Women's Principles®.
Principle 1: Establish high-level corporate leadership for gender equality
Principle 2: Treat all women and men fairly at work – respect and support human rights and nondiscrimination
Principle 3: Ensure the health, safety and well-being of all women and men workers
Principle 4: Promote education, training and professional development for women
Principle 5: Implement enterprise development, supply chain and marketing practices that empower women
Principle 6: Promote equality through community initiatives and advocacy
Principle 7: Measure and publicly report on progress to achieve gender equality.
Read more at: https://www.empowerwomen.org
2011 GUIDING PRINCIPLES ON BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS
The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) is an instrument consisting of 31 principles implementing the United Nations ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy’ framework on this issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises. Developed by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) John Ruggie, these Guiding Principles provided the first global standard for preventing and addressing the risk of adverse impacts on human rights linked to business activity, and continue to provide the internationally accepted framework for enhancing standards and practice regarding business and human rights. On June 16, 2011, the United Nations Human Rights Council unanimously endorsed the Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, making the framework the first corporate human rights responsibility initiative to be endorsed by the United Nations.
The UNGPs encompass three pillars outlining how states and businesses should implement the framework:
Learn more at www.business-humanrights.org/en/un-guiding-principles
The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) is an instrument consisting of 31 principles implementing the United Nations ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy’ framework on this issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises. Developed by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) John Ruggie, these Guiding Principles provided the first global standard for preventing and addressing the risk of adverse impacts on human rights linked to business activity, and continue to provide the internationally accepted framework for enhancing standards and practice regarding business and human rights. On June 16, 2011, the United Nations Human Rights Council unanimously endorsed the Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, making the framework the first corporate human rights responsibility initiative to be endorsed by the United Nations.
The UNGPs encompass three pillars outlining how states and businesses should implement the framework:
- The state duty to protect human rights
- The corporate responsibility to respect human rights
- Access to remedy for victims of business-related abuses
Learn more at www.business-humanrights.org/en/un-guiding-principles
we do not inherit the earth from our ancestors.
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