SDG Ambition Accelerator
SDG Ambition is a six-month accelerator that aims to challenge and support participating companies of the UN Global Compact in setting ambitious corporate targets and accelerating integration of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into core business management. SDG Ambition enables companies to move beyond incremental progress and step-up transformative change – unlocking business value, building business resilience, and enabling long-term growth.
SDG Ambition will empower and equip participating companies of the UN Global Compact to develop and implement innovative business strategies that significantly increase their positive impact on the SDGs. Through the Global Compact Local Networks, participating companies will assess current performance, identify risk areas, discover new opportunities across business units and functions and take ambitious business action towards achieving the SDGs.
Benefits
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Enhanced alignment with the SDGs: The program helps companies align their business strategies with the SDGs, providing a framework to integrate sustainability into their core business practices and goals.
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Improved business performance: The SDGs represent a significant market opportunity, and companies that align their strategies with the SDGs are likely to perform better financially in the long term. The program can help companies identify new business opportunities, reduce costs, and improve risk management.
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Access to resources and expertise: The program provides participating companies with access to expert guidance, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and networking opportunities with other companies committed to sustainable business practices.
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Improved innovation: By prioritizing the SDGs, companies can stimulate innovation and develop new products, services, and business models that meet the needs of a rapidly changing world.
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Reinforced resilience: Companies that prioritize sustainability are better equipped to withstand disruptions and adapt to changing market conditions and stay ahead of regulatory changes, which can help them stay competitive over the long term.
What you will learn
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How to strategically prioritize actions that will accelerate your company’s contribution to the 2030 Agenda
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How to set targets aligned with absolute benchmarks that are critical to spearheading the transformation of economies and societies
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How to approach sustainability management and design new business processes & systems that integrate SDG goals across multiple parts of the business
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How to build a business case and generate sustainability buy-in from your company
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How to identify subgoals & track performance metrics to evaluate progress and inform iterative decision making
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Programme details
The accelerator is divided into 8 steps that will be delivered over the course of 6 months. For each, company participants can expect a mix of on-demand sessions, live workshops and peer-to-peer breakouts, and self-guided activities.
Registration: until 30 September 2023
Programme duration: from October 2023 to March 2024
Effort: Approximately 30 hours over the 6 months
Language: English
Costs: free of charge | for UN Global Compact participants only
Eligibilty
The UN Global Compact invites companies to join SDG Ambition. In order to take part, companies are required to be participants of the UN Global Compact in good standing and to meet the following criteria:
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Currently engaged with the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein or willing to join
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Committed to strengthening corporate target setting and action to increase progress on the Sustainable Development Goals
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Willing to appoint two representatives who can commit to one hour per week for a six-month period to participate in programme activities and events and an executive-level “Ambassador” to follow programme developments, provide support and participate in high-level events