Guides and best practices

UNCTAD - Biodiversity Business

http://whttp://archive.unctad.org/Templates/Page.a...

UNCTAD is the focal point within the United Nations for the integrated treatment of trade and development and the interrelated issues in the areas of finance, technology, investment and sustainable development  In 2005 the Business to Business (B2B) programme was launched to significantly increase the opportunities of exporters to make direct contacts with European buyers in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical and health care industries. It helps companies from developing countries to access the EU market by creating links between buyers and sellers.

UNEP Sustainable Consumption & Production Branch

http://www.uneptie.org/scp/about/

The Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) Branch focuses on achieving increased understanding and implementation by public and private decision makers of policies and actions for SCP. Given the breadth of the challenges and actions required to achieve SCP, activities are focused on specific tools, encompassing policies, market-based instruments, and voluntary approaches, with emphasis given to some specific economic sectors.

Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT)

http://www.ethicalbiotrade.org/

The UEBT is a non-profit association promoting the "sourcing with respect" of ingredients that come from native biodiversity. Members commit to gradually ensuring that their sourcing practices promote the conservation of biodiversity, respect traditional knowledge, and assure the equitable sharing of benefits all along the supply chain. One of the UEBT's strategic priorities is to target key economic sectors such as the cosmetics, health, and beauty industries, and to a lesser extent the food industry.

Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT)

http://www.ethicalbiotrade.org/

The Union for Ethical Biotrade is a non-profit association that promotes the “Sourcing with Respect” of ingredients that come from native biodiversity. Members commit to gradually ensuring that their sourcing practices promote the conservation of biodiversity, respect traditional knowledge and assure the equitable sharing of benefits all along the supply chain. As part of its strategic plan the UEBT targets key economic sectors such as the cosmetics, health, and beauty industry, and to a lesser extent the food industry.

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

http://www.un.org/Depts/los/index.htm

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

http://www.un.org/Depts/los/index.htm

The UNCLOS is the international agreement that resulted from the third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III), which took place from 1973 through 1982, and came into full effect in 1994. The Law of the Sea Convention defines the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of the world's oceans, establishing guidelines for businesses, the environment, and the management of marine natural resources

United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)

http://www.unepfi.org/work_streams/biodiversity/in...

In partnership with the global financial services sector, the United Nations Environment Programme established a Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). Through the promotion of enhanced risk management as well as via green business models, the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services work stream within this initiative has the task of assisting the financial services sector in addressing challenges arising from biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. 

Additionally, and in collaboration with Fauna & Flora International and others, the UNEP FI launched the Natural Value Initiative.  This toolkit aids in the evaluation of company performance as well as the identification of potential financial risks arising from the biodiversity and ecosystem impacts of companies with agricultural supply chains.

United Nations Environment Programme Sustainable Buildings and Climate Initiative (UNEP-SBCI)

http://www.unep.org/sbci/

Together with key stakeholders in this sector, UNEP-SBCI works to promote sustainable building practices worldwide. They have produced a number of publications that mostly relate to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

The UNEP-SBCI’s activities are guided by four key goals to ensure that the Initiative achieves its mission and promotes the worldwide adoption of sustainable buildings and construction practices.

1. Provide a common platform for dialogue and collective action among building sector stakeholders to address sustainability issues of global significance, especially climate change.
2. Develop tools and strategies for achieving greater acceptance and adoption of sustainable building practices throughout the world.
3. Establish baselines, which are globally recognized and are based on a life cycle approach. Focus has initially been concentrated on establishing baselines for energy efficiency and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, but is now expanding to account for additional indicators such as materials and water.
4. Demonstrate through pilot projects and inform policy developments of the important role buildings have to play in mitigation and adaptation to climate change at local, national and/or global levels.

United Nations Global Compact

http://www.unglobalcompact.org/

Endorsed by chief executives, the Global Compact is a practical framework for the development, implementation, and disclosure of sustainability policies and practices, offering participants a wide spectrum of workstreams, management tools and resources — all designed to help advance sustainable business models and markets. It is also a strategic policy initiative for businesses that are committed to aligning their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption.

Water Environment Federation

http://www.wef.org/

The Water Environment Federation is a not-for-profit association that provides technical education and training for thousands of water quality professionals who clean water and return it safely to the environment. WEF members have proudly protected public health, served their local communities, and supported clean water worldwide since 1928.