Sustainable Business Recovery Through the Lens of the SDGs – A Canadian Outline
Amid the COVID-19 crisis, Global Compact Network Canada (GCNC) recognizes the need to have a collaborative effort to identify the road to recovery for Canadian businesses based on the sustainability principles. Businesses must unite to identify practical steps for resilient business strategies to recover from this crisis. By utilizing the expertise of the UN Global Compact network and by utilizing the most robust sustainability framework – the SDGs, this working group will assist the corporate understanding of COVID-19, and integrate these findings into an inspirational package for a sustainable recovery from this pandemic.
Purpose and Deliverables:
The primary objective of the working group is to produce an outline in light of COVID-19 that would (1) explore the SDGs implications (risks and opportunities) and (2) identify concrete steps companies can take to embed sustainability principles into their recovery response (3) identify special considerations for sustainability reporting. In February 2021, GCNC released the Principles-based Sustainable Recovery For Canadian Businesses guide.
Meeting Frequency and Timeline:
The working group will have four virtual workshop sessions to discuss the TOR deliverables. Each workshop will be two hours in duration.
Kick-off workshop: September 3rd, 2020
- Introduction to the working group
- Discuss the outline structure
- Explore the SDGs implications (risks and opportunities) in light of COVID-19
Recovery Response Workshop: Late September, 2020
- Reviewing key takeaways from the last discussion
- Identify concrete steps companies can take to embed sustainability principles into their recovery response
- Discuss questions for the next session
Reporting Workshop: October, 2020
- Summarizing key takeaways from the last discussion
- Identify special considerations for sustainability reporting
- Discuss questions for the next session
Review of the Outline: November, 2020
Final Workshop: December, 2020
- Wrapping up the discussion
- Sharing the final output
Responsibilities:
Global Compact Network Canada:
- The GCNC will chair the working group; leading and facilitating the working group activities.
- Ensure that the Working Group strives to be collaborative and results-oriented.
- GCNC will take and circulate meeting minutes with working group participants.
- Arrange meetings/workshops for the working group discussions.
- Manage logistical responsibilities, timelines, and deliverables of the working group.
- Encourage and foster engagement between working group participants.
- Ensure a respectful flow of conversation, with speaking time and consideration given for all participants.
- Liaise with participants on a regular basis regarding updates, problems, and needs of the Working Group.
Working Group Members:
- Designate one person to represent the company in the working group discussion.
- Attend all meetings and actively contribute in the discussions.
- Provide specific local expertise, including identifying emerging local issues.
