Working Groups – Environment
Working Groups and Peer Learning Groups are a fantastic opportunity to connect with other UN Global Compact UK members, share challenges and solutions, and learn about a variety of environmental sustainability topics. The UN Global Compact Network UK is offering four climate-related working groups in 2024 to help shape members’ environmental activities.
All groups are focussed on peer-learning but will feature expert guest speakers as needed. Our working groups include:
NEW! Circular Economy Working Group – To assist Network participants with implementing the principles of a circular economy into their business operations and broader value chain. Topics covered in this group may include*:
- Circular economy metrics – Support companies to adopt the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS)
- Emerging legislation – Focus on the implication of ‘simpler recycling’ for businesses and how it will work with emerging extended producer responsibility legislation.
- Industrial symbiosis - Explore case studies showcasing how companies and industries can work together to maximise the outputs that can be generated by resources, saving money, and reducing consumption.
- Financing circular economy initiatives – Discussion on available capital and innovative finance models needed to support the transition into new circular business models.
For more information on how to join the Circular Economy Working Group and the 2024 meeting dates, please contact Robert Mitton, Environmental Sustainability Senior Project Manager.
Eligibility and Fees
Working Group membership is open to UN Global Compact Network UK participants only and is subject to a £450+VAT fee per group. Spaces are limited for each group and participation is subject to approval of the UK Network.
*The topics above will be reviewed on an ad hoc basis and tailored to meet participants’ needs. Additional meetings may be scheduled where appropriate, based on demand.
NEW! Nature Working Group – To support companies with material impacts on nature to discuss and work through ongoing challenges related to measuring, addressing, and disclosing their nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities. Topics covered in this group may include*:
- Assessing and quantifying nature-related issues across value chains: how companies can apply the latest guidance from the Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and the Science-based Targets Network (SBTN) to refine their understanding of nature-related risks, impacts, dependencies, and opportunities across their value chain, as well as the data collection methods/tools that can support companies with this.
- Setting targets: how companies can set SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely) targets to operationalise nature positive commitments and monitor progress in line with science and best practice.
- Implementing nature-based solutions: how companies can choose and scale nature-based solutions to address their impacts on nature, deliver net positive outcomes, and meet relevant regulatory requirements (e.g., Biodiversity Net Gain requirements in the UK).
- Integrating TNFD disclosure recommendations: how companies can integrate the TNFD disclosure recommendations into their reporting practices to produce robust nature-related disclosures.
- Advocacy: how companies can engage in effective advocacy to help tackle the systemic drivers of nature loss in the UK.
For more information on how to join the Nature Working Group and the 2024 meeting dates, please contact Pauline Girma, Environmental Sustainability Project Manager.
Eligibility and Fees
Working Group membership is open to UN Global Compact Network UK participants only and is subject to a £450+VAT fee per group. Spaces are limited for each group and participation is subject to approval of the UK Network.
*The topics above will be reviewed on an ad hoc basis and tailored to meet participants’ needs. Additional meetings may be scheduled where appropriate, based on demand.
NEW! Climate Peer Learning Group – To support companies with advanced climate strategies that are seeking a network to discuss obstacles, innovation, and collaboration relating to net zero and decarbonisation. Topics covered in this group may include*:
- Supplier engagement: how businesses are collaborating with suppliers and other stakeholders to reduce Scope 3 emissions across their value chain.
- Data: how companies are collecting, managing, and disclosing their emissions data, and what they are doing to improve the quality and robustness.
- Innovation: how companies are finding innovative solutions for reducing emissions, including utilising AI, nature-based solutions, and other business models (circular products/services, green technologies) to do this.
- Policy engagement and partnerships: how businesses are involved in collective action, lobbying, and policy engagement around legislation and finance that will support them to reach their net zero targets.
For more information on how to join the Climate Peer Learning Group and the 2024 meeting dates, please contact Alexandra Ranft, Environmental Sustainability Senior Project Manager
Eligibility and Fees
Working Group membership is open to UN Global Compact Network UK participants only and is subject to a £450+VAT fee per group. Spaces are limited for each group and participation is subject to approval of the UK Network.
*The topics above will be reviewed on an ad hoc basis and tailored to meet participants’ needs. Additional meetings may be scheduled where appropriate, based on demand.
Climate Disclosures Working Group – To support Network participants’ compliance with various climate-related disclosure requirements in the UK, as well as discuss challenges and solutions for more robust and transparent reporting. Discussion topics may include*:
- Frameworks and standards: UK Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (UK SDRs), International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), among others.
- Carbon and Scope 3 reporting
- Transition planning and the Transition Plan Taskforce (TPT) framework
- Risk management and scenario analysis
For more information on how to join the Climate Disclosures Working Group and the 2024 meeting dates, please contact Alexandra Ranft, Environmental Sustainability Senior Project Manager.
Eligibility and Fees
Working Group membership is open to UN Global Compact Network UK participants only and is subject to a £450+VAT fee per group. Spaces are limited for each group and participation is subject to approval of the UK Network.
*The topics above will be reviewed on an ad hoc basis and tailored to meet participants’ needs. Additional meetings may be scheduled where appropriate, based on demand.