Serco has joined the world's largest sustainability initiative - the UN Global Compact.
Launched as a call to companies to 'align strategies and operations with universal principles on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and take actions that advance societal goals", the Compact derives its Ten Principles 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.
These core principles are:
Human Rights
Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
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 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; and
Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
Our purpose is inherently aligned with the UN Global Compact’s aims...
Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.
Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.
Mark Irwin, Group Chief Executive, says: “Serco's purpose to impact a better future for People, Place and Planet is evident in the commitment of our remarkable colleagues and the outcomes we deliver in partnership with governments around the world.
"Our purpose is inherently aligned with the UN Global Compact’s aims, and I am therefore delighted that we have decided to take this important step to reflect the principles of the Compact more clearly in our strategic framework and operations, providing a robust foundation for our sustainability agenda moving forward.”
Steve Kenzie, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network UK, adds: "The core of the United Nations Global Compact’s mission is to support companies doing business responsibly by aligning their strategies and operations with ten universal principles on human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption.
We also support business taking actions to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.
We are delighted and encouraged by Serco’s endorsement of our initiative.”
