News.May 26, 2023

SIWI joins UN’s corporate sustainability initiative

SIWI joins the UN Global Compact Network Sweden, a business-oriented network aimed at raising awareness of, and accelerating the work towards realizing Agenda 2023.

“We are excited to join the Swedish section of this purposive business network. Private sector engagement is important in the strive for towards ‘net zero’ and the network brings opportunities to put water at the heart of the sustainable development agenda,” says Thomas Rebermark, director at SIWI’s Swedish Water House.

UN Global Compact Network is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, calling companies to align strategies and operations with universal principles on human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption – and take concrete action to advance societal goals. The Swedish section have a member base of over 500 companies.

“As a member of UN Global Compact Network Sweden, SIWI aim to bring to the discussion our expertise about the challenges and opportunities with water in value chains, influencing the agenda so that no opportunity is missed in our joint effort towards a just and sustainable future. We acknowledge that member companies are important actors in this efforts, and we want them to being able to make informed decisions.”

Thomas Rebermark, Director, Swedish Water House, SIWI

The Network rests on ten principles  that all members must subscribe to. These have been derived from international agreements and declarations, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development. The idea is that responsible businesses enact the same values and principles wherever they have a presence, and know that good practices in one area do not offset harm in another. By incorporating these principles into strategies, policies and procedures, companies are not only upholding their basic responsibilities to people and planet, but also setting the stage for long-term success.