The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) links businesses around the world with UN agencies, labour and civil society in support of ten principles encompassing human rights, labour, the environment, and anti-corruption. Since becoming a signatory, RE continually works to further UNGC principles within the company and beyond. We are a member of the steering group of the UNGC UK Network and chair the communications working group. In 2008, we hosted Georg Kell, Executive Director of the UNGC at our head office in London for an overview of 2008 UNGC objectives for employees, UK Network members and observers, and other guests; read the transcript.
We also shared best practice on our Socially Responsible Supply Chain programme at a 2008 quarterly UK Network meeting, hosted an online seminar for UK Network members on how to communicate about the UNGC; and liaised with members of the Dutch Network. Our CEO also endorsed the UNGC CEO Water Mandate and Caring for Climate.
UNGC Ten Principles |
| Principle 1: |
Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights |
| Principle 2: |
Make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses |
| Principle 3: |
Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining |
| Principle 4: |
The elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour |
| Principle 5: |
The effective abolition of child labour |
| Principle 6: |
The elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation |
| Principle 7: |
Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges |
| Principle 8: |
Undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility |
| Principle 9: |
Encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies |
| Principle 10: |
Businesses should work against all forms of corruption, including extortion and bribery |
In compliance with UNGC requirements, each year we complete a Communication on Progress, outlining steps we have taken in the year to further the ten principles, available on the UNGC page of our website.