Unlocking Impact: Why UNGC CoP Reporting is Pivotal for Indian Businesses

A Perspective from the UN Global Compact Network India

Namaste!

As the sustainability discourse accelerates globally, Indian businesses are uniquely positioned to lead. The United Nations Global Compact’s annual Communication on Progress (CoP) is not merely a reporting requirement, it is a critical tool for demonstrating responsible leadership, building trust, and aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As we approach the 31st July deadline, we encourage all UNGC participants in India to seize this opportunity to showcase their impact and reaffirm their commitment to the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact.

At its core, the CoP is a public commitment to transparency, integrity, and continuous improvement. It invites companies to reflect on their efforts across human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption, while mapping their contributions to the SDGs. Beyond accountability, the CoP enables:

  • Benchmarking against global peers
  • Identifying gaps and setting future goals
  • Demonstrating leadership in ESG integration
  • Building brand credibility with stakeholders, investors, and consumers

    For Indian companies, this aligns powerfully with national reporting imperatives.Crucially, the UNGC CoP is aligned with other global benchmarks like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), ensuring that reporting efforts contribute to a harmonized global sustainability agenda.

    In India, our commitment to responsible business is underscored by the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI) mandate for the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR). Applicable to the top 1000 listed entities by market capitalization, BRSR requires detailed disclosures on nine principles derived from the National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct (NGRBCs). This framework moves beyond mere financial compliance, encouraging companies to report on their social and environmental impacts in a structured and quantitative manner.

    The BRSR framework is meticulously aligned with internationally recognized sustainability reporting standards, including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and, significantly, the UN Global Compact. It covers a wide array of ESG parameters, such as greenhouse gas emissions, water footprint, waste management, employee well-being, human rights, and inclusive growth. By making these disclosures mandatory, BRSR is shaping India’s corporate landscape, pushing businesses to embed sustainability into their core operations.

    Indian participants of the UN Global Compact can leverage their BRSR disclosures to streamline and strengthen their CoP submissions. This dual alignment enables:

    • Aligned Principles:

      Both frameworks champion ethical business, human rights, environmental care, labour standards, and anti-corruption.

    • Efficient Reporting:

      Structured BRSR data helps populate key CoP indicators with ease.

    • Dual Credibility:

      Meeting BRSR mandates while voluntarily submitting the CoP enhances visibility and trust across national and global audiences.

    • Integrated Impact:

      Together, these reports portray a holistic picture of corporate sustainability performance and ambition.

    Call to Action

    Indian businesses are not only adapting to change, they are leading it. By completing the UNGC CoP report by 31st July, companies reaffirm their commitment to transparency, responsible business conduct, and sustainable development.Let this be more than a compliance exercise. Let it be a bold statement of leadership.

    UNGC Participants in India – now is the time to tell your story, showcase your progress and inspire action.

    Together, through the power of honest reporting and collective ambition, we can accelerate India’s journey toward a just, inclusive, and sustainable future.