International bodies
UN Global Compact
The UN's voluntary initiative for companies, built on ten principles on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.
Official siteBackground
The UN Global Compact was launched in 2000. Companies join by committing to its ten principles and reporting on progress each year.
Scope and powers
It sets the ten principles and runs local networks, including in India. It is a founding partner of the SBTi and co-founded the PRI.
Investor relevance
Many norms-based screens and indices exclude companies judged non-compliant with the Global Compact principles, such as the BSE 100 ESG Index.
Related guides
Key glossary terms
Last reviewed: October 2026