20 September 2013: A new architecture for business engagement in sustainable development in the post-2015 era has been outlined in a report from the UN Global Compact. The architecture sets sustainable development priorities (inclusive growth, social equity and progress, and environmental protection) on an equal footing with long-term business goals (revenue growth, resource productivity and risk management).

Published along with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD), the report was launched by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the UN Global Compact Leaders’ Summit on 20 September 2013, in New York, US. Leaders endorsed the architecture described in the report.

‘Architects of a Better World: Building the Post-2015 Business Engagement Architecture’ identifies the main building blocks for enhancing corporate sustainability as an effective contribution to sustainable development. It describes how each building block must be further strengthened and connected to scale up corporate sustainability and make business a transformative force in the post-2015 era.

The building blocks include: market- and society-based drivers and incentives; transparency and accountability, which build trust; progress reviews, which keep the architecture dynamic and relevant; and platforms for action and partnership, which can help scale up corporate sustainability. The report stresses that individual companies, corporate sustainability organizations, governments, investors, business schools, civil society, labor and consumers all have a role to play in scaling up business action, and should identify those areas in which they need to do more.

The Architecture draws on a series of consultations on the post-2015 development agenda and was developed in collaboration with Global Compact LEAD companies.[Publication: Architects of a Better World: Building the Post-2015 Business Engagement Architecture] [UNGC Website] [IISD RS Story on UNGC Leaders’ Summit]