{"id":20120,"date":"2019-11-10T00:11:06","date_gmt":"2019-11-10T08:11:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=20120"},"modified":"2019-11-10T00:11:06","modified_gmt":"2019-11-10T08:11:06","slug":"united-nations-global-compact-updates-guidance-to-help-general-counsel-drive-the-corporate-sustainability-agenda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=20120","title":{"rendered":"United Nations Global Compact Updates Guidance to Help General Counsel Drive the Corporate Sustainability Agenda"},"content":{"rendered":"
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New guidance helps legal professionals become leaders in embedding sustainability into their companies\u2019 strategies and operations<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/i>\u00a0United Nations Global Compact updates guidance to help General Counsel drive the corporate sustainability agenda<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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UNITED NATIONS, New York, November 7, 2019\u2014 The United Nations Global Compact has issued updated guidance to help General Counsel advance the corporate sustainability agenda.<\/p>\n

Developed together with Linklaters and the University of California Berkeley School of Law,\u00a0Guide for General Counsel on Corporate Sustainability Version 2.0<\/a>\u00a0is designed to help legal professionals drive change and become leaders in embedding sustainability into their companies\u2019 strategies and operations. It follows the original\u00a0Guide for General Counsel on Corporate Sustainability<\/a>\u00a0that was published in 2015.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs the role of General Counsel moves beyond legal compliance and towards corporate sustainability, we see them as key change agents with the ability to create long-term value for their companies,\u201d said Lise Kingo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact. \u201cWe hope that this updated guide inspires lawyers to embrace their crucial role in advancing responsible business conduct.\u201d<\/p>\n

The new guidance serves as a source of reference for lawyers navigating the complex landscape of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.<\/p>\n

\u201cSociety\u2019s expectations of companies are in flux, requiring us to reimagine corporate purpose,\u201d said Amelia Miazad, Professor and Founding Director of the Business in Society Institute at UC Berkeley School of Law. \u201cThis current shift from short-term profit maximization to long-term sustainability means that inside counsel today must not only manage legal risk, but also navigate environmental, social and governance issues that pose ethical and reputational risks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCorporate sustainability is attracting increasing attention as companies face growing interest and scrutiny on their policies and where this lands within their fiduciary duties,\u201d said Charlie Jacobs, Senior Partner and Chairman at Linklaters. \u201cGeneral Counsel are well placed and equipped to facilitate real change and push the issues up the agenda as companies grapple with growing expectations, impending regulation and reporting requirements.\u201d<\/p>\n

The guide \u2014 developed with the support of Nestl\u00e9 and under the guidance of an advisory group comprising General Counsel across various industries \u2014 covers five key areas vital to navigating the changing corporate sustainability landscape:<\/p>\n