UN Global Compact and Sustainable Development Goals

UN Global Compact principles

Marshalls has been a signatory of the UN Global Compact (UNGC) since 2009. As the world’s leading corporate sustainability initiative, the UNGC leads the way for responsible business.

The UNGC provides a framework for businesses that are committed to aligning their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.

Human Rights

• 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

Labour

• 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

Environment

• 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

Anti-corruption

• Principle 10: Businesses should work against all forms of corruption, including extortion and bribery

Sustainable Development Goals

Through our active support of the United Nations Global Compact, and by adhering to the ten principles, we endeavour to behave responsibly. Part of this support is our ongoing commitment to contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

While we understand the SDGs are very much aimed at countries and nations globally, we also know that business has a role to play in contributing to the future of the planet and its people. Each of the 17 SDGs have associated targets and indicators and further to an internal review, we have identified four SDGs towards which we can have the greatest contribution and impact.