Media & Resources

The annual gathering in Zagreb brought together representatives of public institutions, the business sector, and the media to foster cooperation and advance the integration of sustainability into business and societal strategies. UN Global Compact Network Croatia hosted its traditional annual gathering in a festive setting at the SquareOne restaurant in central Zagreb, welcoming members, non-member organizations, partners, as well as representatives of public institutions and the media. The aim of the event was to further encourage dialogue on sustainable business practices and to strengthen cooperation between public and private stakeholders. The UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, aligned with the Ten Principles of the United Nations in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment, and anti-corruption. The Croatian Network operates as part of this global community, encouraging companies and organizations to align their business models with sustainability and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Croatia. Key Messages The gathering was opened by Ana Pašiček , Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network Croatia, who emphasized the Network’s key role in connecting the public and private sectors and the importance of creating space for collaboration that leads to tangible progress toward more sustainable and responsible business practices. Following this, the participants were addressed by senior officials from state institutions: ● Željko Vuković , State Secretary at the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, highlighted the responsibility of public institutions in leading the green transition, with particular emphasis on reducing the carbon footprint and the effective use of available financial mechanisms. ● Ivo Milatić , State Secretary at the Ministry of Economy, highlighted the key role of investing in people and knowledge in times of change, noting that sustainability is increasingly shaping investment decisions and the expectations of younger generations. The audience was also addressed by Marina Burazer , Member of the Management Board of UN Global Compact Network Croatia and ESG and Marketing Director at Fortenova Group. She emphasized that sustainability implies the long-term resilience of organizations through balancing the impact of business on society and the environment, as well as the impact of society and the environment on business itself. Following the formal addresses, the gathering continued in a relaxed and informal atmosphere over food and drinks, encouraging open dialogue and the exchange of experiences among participants. The Network’s work plan for the upcoming year was presented through visual infographics displayed throughout the venue, offering a modern and accessible way to communicate strategic priorities and maintaining a balance between an informal setting and substantive content. A Symbol of Shared Commitment All participants received a symbolic gift - a watch featuring a graphic of the planet and the message “No pause” - serving as a reminder of the responsibility and urgency of action in the field of sustainability. We would like to thank all members, partners, representatives of public institutions and the media for their continued support of the work of the UN Global Compact Network Croatia, as well as for their dedicated contribution to advancing the goals of sustainable and responsible business.

Ten United Nations Global Compact European Country networks have partnered to measure the degree of implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by companies on the continent. Read more here. These results and reflexions are the ones of the the participating Networks, and not of the United Nations Global Compact.

Grow Your Business Value. Grow Your Impact. Presenting the CMO Blueprint for Sustainable Growth – a unified, principles-driven framework created to support Chief Marketing Officers and senior marketing leaders in integrating sustainability into their core strategies. This blueprint offers practical guidance, real-world case studies, and key resources to help drive sustainable business growth and deliver lasting impact. 

This article contains information from the UNDP publication “ A Practical Tool fo r Busin ess: Human Rights Due Diligence and the Environment (HRDDE) ,” published by the United Nations Development Programme.

Until the mid-2010s, few companies reported on on their nature-related impacts. However, nature reporting has gained significant traction in the past few years as businesses recognize the financial, operational and reputational risks associated with nature loss and a lack of data monitoring. As the conversation surrounding sustainability advances, companies are increasingly expected to disclose their dependencies and impacts on nature, integrating biodiversity and ecosystem considerations into their reporting frameworks. Key players in nature reporting and when to use them Several major initiatives have emerged to guide businesses in reporting and managing nature-related risks and opportunities. Each serves a distinct purpose, and complements the other in supporting corporate sustainability efforts: Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) : TNFD is the most comprehensive nature disclosure framework, providing companies with structured guidance on assessing and reporting nature-related risks and dependencies. As of 18 February 2025, the TNFD released a major update to its Knowledge Hub, offering training videos, case studies and resources to help businesses make the case for disclosure and better understand their impacts. Natural Capital Protocol (Capitals Coalition): The Capitals Coalition is a framework for businesses to measure and value their impacts and dependencies on natural capital. This is particularly useful for organizations looking to integrate nature-related considerations into decision-making processes. Global Reporting Initiative (GRI): The GRI is a well-established sustainability reporting framework that includes specific disclosures on biodiversity and ecosystem impacts. The UN Global Compact references GRI in its Communication on Progress (CoP), making it a key tool for participants. Science-Based Targets for Nature (SBTN): Unlike the aforementioned frameworks, the SBTN provides a methodology for setting measurable, science-based targets to align corporate actions with planetary boundaries. Kering, Holcim and GSK were the first companies to declare SBTNs, demonstrating corporate leadership in this space. The UN Global Compact collaborates with all of these organizations, helping businesses integrate nature into their sustainability strategies. The business case for nature reporting As nature-related risks become more material to investors, regulators and consumers, a paradigm shift presents itself; reporting on nature is no longer just a voluntary exercise—it is a strategic advantage. Companies that engage in nature-related disclosures benefit from: Risk reduction & future-proofing: Identifying and mitigating environmental risks can help companies avoid financial and operational disruptions. Competitive advantage: Proactive disclosure and sustainability leadership can enhance brand reputation and stakeholder trust. Supply chain resilience: Understanding dependencies on natural resources can help businesses secure long-term access to raw materials and reduce vulnerability to supply chain disruptions. Increased innovation: Investing in nature-positive solutions can drive new product development and business model transformation. Access to new markets: Sustainable practices can open doors to emerging markets with growing regulatory and consumer demand for responsible business practices. To further support companies on their nature disclosure journey, the UN Global Compact will host two Academy sessions in June 2025—one focused on the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures and another on Science-Based Targets for Nature. These sessions will provide businesses with practical insights on integrating nature considerations into their reporting and strategy. As the private sector accelerates its efforts to align with global sustainability goals, nature reporting will continue to be a critical component of corporate accountability. The companies leading the way today are setting the standard for a more sustainable and nature-positive economy.  The Communication on Progress (CoP) is the key accountability mechanism of the UN Global Compact and helps participating companies track and disclose their sustainability efforts in alignment with the Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The CoP includes reporting on environmental topics, specifically those directly related to nature and biodiversity, ensuring that businesses assess and communicate their impact on ecosystems, natural resources and climate resilience. Given this focus, referencing the CoP reinforces the importance of corporate transparency and action in safeguarding biodiversity and advancing nature-positive solutions.

6 March 2025, Singapore – The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) successfully convened the Executive Roundtable on Sustainable Finance – Driving Leadership in Sustainable Finance for a Resilient Future at the Orchard Hotel in Singapore today. This high-level gathering brought together CEOs, CFOs and institutional investors to mobilize private and institutional capital towards financing sustainable development, addressing biodiversity loss and closing the SDG financing gap in the Asia-Pacific region. With Asia facing an annual shortfall of $1.5 trillion to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), discussions centered on scaling innovative financing mechanisms to drive inclusive growth, climate resilience and sustainable development. The roundtable, aligned with the UN’s Road Map for Financing the 2030 Agenda, emphasized the urgent need for private sector leadership in mobilizing capital for the Global South and integrating sustainability-related factors into financial decision-making. Key Themes and Insights The discussions were structured around two key themes: Financing for Development: Participants explored strategies for increasing capital flows into emerging economies, tackling investment barriers and aligning financial markets with long-term sustainability goals. Biodiversity & Climate Finance: Leaders deliberated on how businesses and investors can incorporate nature and biodiversity into investment frameworks, ensuring that capital supports climate resilience and ecosystem restoration. Speaking at the event, Neha Das, Head of Asia & Oceania, UN Global Compact, underscored the role of corporate leaders in advancing sustainable finance: “Achieving the SDGs requires bold leadership and concrete action from the private sector. By embedding sustainability into business and investment strategies, companies and financial institutions can accelerate progress toward a more resilient and equitable global economy.” David Atkin, CEO of PRI, emphasized the importance of investor action: “Institutional investors have a fiduciary responsibility to consider sustainability-related factors in their investment and ownership decisions. Alongside investor action, an enabling policy environment has a critical role in advancing sustainable finance. We are grateful to the UNGC-PRI roundtable participants for an important discussion on how leadership in these areas can create a sustainable future in Singapore and beyond.” The roundtable concluded with a call to action for businesses and investors to: Strengthen commitments to sustainable finance by aligning corporate financial strategies with sustainability-related factors. Collaborate with policymakers to address policy barriers and enhance regulatory frameworks supporting sustainable investment. Advance standardized reporting on biodiversity and climate-related financial risks. This event also set the stage for deeper engagement at future UN Global Compact events reinforcing the commitment to scaling sustainable finance solutions across the Asia-Pacific region. About the UN Global Compact The ambition of the UN Global Compact is to accelerate and scale the global collective impact of business by upholding the Ten Principles and delivering the SDGs through accountable companies and ecosystems that enable change. With more than 20,000 participating companies, 5 Regional Hubs, 63 Country Networks covering 80 countries and 13 Country Managers establishing Networks in 18 other countries, the UN Global Compact is the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative — one Global Compact uniting business for a better world. About Principles for Responsible Investment: The Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) is the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment. Supported by the United Nations, it works to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and to support its international network of investor signatories in incorporating these factors into their investment and ownership decisions. The PRI acts in the long-term interests of its signatories, of the financial markets and economies in which they operate and ultimately of the environment and society as a whole. Launched in New York in 2006, the PRI has grown to more than 5,300 signatories, managing over US$121 trillion. For more information visit www.unpri.org.