Joining the UN Global Compact (UNGC) is the most visible commitment a company can make to sustainability and corporate social responsibility. The Communication on Progress (CoP) is the annual proof of this commitment and is mandatory for all participants.
The CoP is a strategic tool that allows you to demonstrate alignment with the Ten fundamental Principles and your contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Our team offers specialized CoP consultancy, helping you navigate the new reporting format, collect the relevant data and present a transparent and credible picture of your progress.
For many companies, especially SMEs, the CoP process can seem complex or time consuming. This is why we offer a complete, streamlined and professional service, through which we help your company to be:
•compliant with UN requirements
•credible in front of international clients
•well positioned in the global supply chain
•ready for the next level of ESG maturity
The Communication on Progress is an annual public report through which UN Global Compact member companies describe their efforts to implement the Ten Principles in their strategies and operations.
Starting with 2023, the UN Global Compact has introduced a new standardized, digital, simplified format, created especially for SMEs.
The quality and timeliness of CoP reporting are very important for maintaining membership status and for ESG credibility:
• UNGC Integrity Mandate: Failure to submit the CoP report on time (or submitting an unsatisfactory report) leads to “Non-communicating” status and, ultimately, to public exclusion from the UN Global Compact network.
• Stakeholder trust: Transparent reporting strengthens the trust of investors, partners and consumers, demonstrating mature ESG governance.
• Alignment with the SDGs: The CoP offers a structured framework to demonstrate the company’s contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Global benchmarking: It allows you to compare your sustainability efforts with those of thousands of companies around the world.
With the transition to the new CoP format (starting with the 2023/2024 cycle), reporting has become more standardized, digital and data based.
We support you in addressing this complexity with confidence.
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• Review of existing policies, codes of conduct and practices in relation to the Ten Principles.
• Identification of gaps in data on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption required for the new questionnaire.
The new digital CoP is structured around three basic elements, and we guide you in optimizing each of them:
• CEO Statement (statement of continued support): We make sure that your statement meets the mandatory requirements and reflects high level commitment.
• Description of Actions (actions): We help you map internal policies and processes (governance, risk management) directly to the questions in the questionnaire.
• Measurement of outcomes: We collect and organize the relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), ensuring that you report results, not just intentions.
• Publication of the report on the official UN platform: We take care of correct and timely upload of the report, so that it becomes public and easily visible to large clients, investors, banks, ESG auditors and international partners.
• Support in collecting the quantitative and qualitative data needed (e.g. data on diversity, energy consumption, anti-corruption training).
• Technical assistance in completing and actually submitting the report on the UN Global Compact digital platform, ensuring that deadlines are met.
We make sure that the information provided in the CoP is coherent and aligned with your other sustainability reports (e.g. GRI, ESRS/CSRD or CDP), thus eliminating duplicate effort and ensuring a consistent picture.
After publication, we work together to: improve internal policies, develop ESG plans, prepare for the next CoP, integrate the CoP into the company’s ESG strategy.
The UN Global Compact is the largest sustainability initiative in the world, and the CoP is the tool through which companies show that they deliver results, not just promises.
Sources: UNGC, PwC, TLC și CYLAD
1. It increases credibility with international clients
Global clients are looking for suppliers aligned with recognized standards. The CoP is clear and quickly verifiable proof.
2. It is required in tenders and ESG assessments
More and more companies request the CoP in their value chain for their own ESG reporting.
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3. It is compatible with EcoVadis, B-Corp and even CSRD
Approximately: 40% of EcoVadis, 30% of ESRS E1-S1-Gare covered through the CoP.
4. It demonstrates the company’s commitment to social responsibility
The CoP is public evidence validated by the UN.
5. It protects the company from the risk of delisting
Companies that do not submit the CoP are listed as Non-Communicating, then removed from the UNGC.
6. It simplifies internal ESG efforts
The CoP serves as a first step before more complex reporting such as: a full ESG report, CSRD, SBTi, SDG Alignment.
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Companies that work with ECONOS see:
• a reduction of over 50% in CoP preparation time
• clearer and better structured ESG policies
• a visible increase in trust from international clients
• better positioning in ESG assessments
• a solid basis for future reporting (EcoVadis, CSRD etc.)
All UN Global Compact participants are obliged to submit the CoP report annually, one year from the date of joining.
UNGC Integrity Mandate: Membership is a privilege, not a right. Companies that do not report on time are publicly listed as "Non-communicating" and may be expelled if they do not rectify the situation, thus losing global recognition and status.
Do not let compliance become a source of risk. Invest in accuracy and transparency.
Make sure your sustainability efforts are reported with professionalism and maximum precision, meeting the requirements of the new digital CoP format.
Contact us today for an assessment of your maturity against the Ten Principles and to guarantee an impeccable Communication on Progress.
