UN Global Compact Network USA

What UN Global Compact Network USA does

UN Global Compact Network USA is the US Local Network of the United Nations Global Compact, a 501c3 nonprofit organization incorporated in Delaware and headquartered in New York City. The organization supports US-based companies in integrating corporate sustainability into business strategy through alignment with the UN Ten Principles covering human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption, and the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As of the 2025 Annual Report, the network comprises 1,130 participating companies, with 170+ new participants added in 2025.

The organization's core offerings are organized into five product categories: (1) multi-month accelerator programs including the SDG Innovation Accelerator (delivered with Arizona State University), Climate Ambition Accelerator, Target Gender Equality, Business & Human Rights Accelerator, the newly launched Sustainability Integration Program, and the SustainXchange Climate Impact Accelerator; (2) cohort-based peer learning groups covering climate action, living wage, corporate sustainability, circular economy, and sustainability strategy; (3) diagnostic and benchmarking tools such as the SDG Action Manager, WEPs Gender Gap Analysis Tool, Water Stewardship Toolbox, Science-Based Targets Initiative Tool, Decent Work Toolkit, and Living Wage Analysis Tool; (4) commitment initiatives including the CEO Water Mandate, Business Ambition for 1.5°C, and Women's Empowerment Principles (co-led with UN Women); and (5) the Communication on Progress (CoP), a mandatory annual disclosure mechanism that constitutes the organization's primary reporting framework. The platform is non-technological in the SaaS sense — it is a coordination, convening, and content infrastructure delivered through webinars, in-person events, and digital resources rather than a software product.

Revenue is generated through tiered annual participant contributions. Signatories with under $25M in revenue pay $625 annually, those with $25-50M pay $1,250, while foreign companies and SMEs pay $1,250–$2,500, with additional revenue from sponsorships, donations, and corporate partner contributions. The go-to-market motion is sales-led, combining direct membership outreach, webinar series (e.g., Global Compact 101, ESG Regulatory Briefings), peer learning cohorts, and high-profile in-person events like the annual Leaders Summit (September 22, 2026 in New York). Strategic corporate partners include Salesforce, Accenture, AICPA/CIMA, Cyient, and PassIndia, primarily through the SustainXchange Climate Impact Accelerator.

Name

UN Global Compact Network USA

Legal name

Global Compact Network USA

Website

https://globalcompactusa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

UN Global Compact Network USA is the US Local Network of the UN Global Compact, a 501c3 nonprofit supporting 1,130+ US companies in aligning corporate strategy with the UN Ten Principles and SDGs through accelerator programs, tools, and reporting frameworks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Corporate Sustainability Membership Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

United Nations System & Specialized Agencies (BPADAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environment, Climate & Sustainable Development IGOs (BPADAAAI), Environmental, Climate & Sustainability Standards & Reporting Cooperation (BPADANAI)

Keywords

• Corporate sustainability programs
• ESG reporting frameworks
• Sustainable development accelerators
• Corporate responsibility membership
• Sustainability assessment tools

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Participant Membership Contributions: Financial contributions from participating companies based on company revenue tier. Global Compact Network USA is a 501c3 incorporated in Delaware and registered to do business in New York State. Contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

UN Global Compact Network USA is the U.S. Country Network of the United Nations Global Compact, providing member companies with sustainability accelerators, peer learning groups, assessment tools, and the mandatory annual Communication on Progress (CoP) reporting framework. The organization offers specialized programs on climate ambition, gender equality, human rights, and living wages, along with commitment initiatives (CEO Water Mandate, Business Ambition for 1.5°C, WEPs) and Action Platforms that convene companies, civil society, academia, and the UN to address sustainability challenges.

Product overview

UN Global Compact Network USA operates as a sustainability network and membership organization rather than a traditional software product. Its portfolio consists of accelerator programs (SDG Innovation Accelerator, Climate Ambition Accelerator, Target Gender Equality, Business & Human Rights Accelerator, Sustainability Integration Program), peer learning groups (Climate Action, Living Wage, Corporate Sustainability, Circular Economy, Sustainability Strategy), tools and resources (SDG Action Manager, Women's Empowerment Principles Gender Gap Analysis Tool, Water Stewardship Toolbox, Science-Based Targets Initiative Tool, Decent Work Toolkit, Living Wage Analysis Tool), commitment initiatives (CEO Water Mandate, Business Ambition for 1.5°C, Women's Empowerment Principles), Action Platforms for collaborative sustainability challenges, webinar series, and the Communication on Progress (CoP) annual reporting mechanism. The organization functions as a platform of programs and resources that US companies participate in to advance corporate sustainability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SDG Innovation Accelerator (Young SDG Innovators Programme) A six-month accelerator that activates future business leaders to develop innovative solutions through new technologies, initiatives, and business models to deliver on company sustainability objectives; engages three high-potential young professionals per company.
• Climate Ambition Accelerator A six-month accelerator equipping companies with knowledge and skills to set science-based emissions reduction targets aligned with the 1.5°C pathway and progress toward net-zero emissions by 2050.
• Target Gender Equality A gender equality accelerator for participating companies, using facilitated performance analysis, capacity building workshops, and peer-to-peer learning to support setting and reaching ambitious corporate targets for women's representation and leadership.
• Business & Human Rights Accelerator A six-month hybrid program activating companies to move from commitment to action on human and labor rights by establishing an ongoing human rights due diligence process.
• Sustainability Integration Program A nine-week program that retains the core methodology and tools of SDG Ambition while better aligning with companies' current priorities and the rapidly evolving U.S. sustainability landscape; designed for companies ready to fully integrate sustainability into their strategies and governance.
• SDG Action Manager A web-based tool that gives businesses an opportunity to learn about, manage, and directly improve their sustainability performance through dynamic self-assessment, benchmarking, and improvement.
• Women's Empowerment Principles Gender Gap Analysis Tool A business-driven tool that helps companies from around the world assess gender equality performance across the workforce, marketplace, and community.
• Water Stewardship Toolbox A toolbox connecting businesses to the latest tools, guidance, case studies, datasets, and resources relevant to water security based on their circumstances and interests.
• Science-Based Targets Initiative Tool An integrated climate target-setting tool for companies looking to align with the United Nations 1.5°C emission reduction pathway.
• Decent Work Toolkit for Sustainable Procurement A toolkit that enables companies, procurement professionals, and suppliers to develop a common understanding of how to advance decent work through purchasing decisions and scale up efforts to improve lives around the globe.
• Living Wage Analysis Tool A tool to identify gaps, opportunities, and solutions for implementing living wages across operations and supply chains.
• SDG Pioneers Program An annual program that celebrates business professionals who are driving positive change by advancing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and embodying the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact.
• CEO Water Mandate A UN Global Compact initiative that mobilizes business leaders on water, sanitation, and the Sustainable Development Goals; endorsers commit to continuous progress against six core elements of stewardship.
• Business Ambition for 1.5°C A commitment for businesses to align with science-based climate targets consistent with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
• Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) A CEO-level commitment providing guidance to business on how to promote gender equality and women's empowerment in the workplace, marketplace, and community; established by UN Global Compact and UN Women.
• Action Platforms Time-bound multilateral working groups made up of UN Global Compact participating companies, Global Compact Local Networks, academia, civil society, Government, and the United Nations to solve complex sustainability challenges and innovate around the Global Goals.
• Climate Action Peer Learning Group A collaborative space for professionals across industries to delve into critical issue areas related to climate action, focusing on climate regulations, emissions mitigation, supply chain solutions, and nature.
• Living Wage Peer Learning Group A multi-session peer learning group designed to help companies take actionable steps toward implementing living wages, bridging wage gaps, and aligning with international labor standards.
• Corporate Sustainability Peer Learning Group A collaborative space for professionals to explore evolving sustainability practices, regulations, and reporting frameworks including GRI, SASB, and TCFD.
• Circular Economy Peer Learning Group A collaborative forum for sustainability professionals across industries to delve into critical and emerging issues related to the circular economy.
• Sustainability Strategy Peer Learning Group A cohort-based program for companies to exchange practical insights and real-world approaches to building and advancing sustainability strategies through four interactive, peer-driven sessions.
• Communication on Progress (CoP) The primary reporting mechanism of the UN Global Compact and a mandatory annual requirement for all business participants to disclose their progress on implementing the Ten Principles on human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 170 new participants joined in 2025, bringing total to 1,130 participants
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• SalesforcecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2026Salesforce collaborates with SustainXchange Climate Impact Accelerator program, working with nonprofits on ESG compliance capabilities and climate partnerships. The program aims to help nonprofits develop readiness for performance-driven climate partnerships and Scope 3 value-chain integration.
• AccenturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2026Accenture partners with SustainXchange Climate Impact Accelerator providing expertise in ESG compliance and climate strategy. The program covers GHG Protocol, ISSB and GRI reporting standards, blended finance, and governance systems.
• AICPA/CIMAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2026AICPA/CIMA serves as a knowledge partner for the SustainXchange program, contributing expertise in ISSB and GRI reporting standards and governance frameworks for ESG compliance.
• CyientcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2026Cyient collaborates with SustainXchange Climate Impact Accelerator on developing ESG compliance capabilities and helping nonprofits become credible corporate partners for climate action.
• PassIndiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2026PassIndia partners with SustainXchange Climate Impact Accelerator to support nonprofit development of ESG compliance and climate partnership readiness.
• Academic Institutions (UN Network Partnerships)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2026SustainXchange has existing collaborations or pilots with academic institutions and broader UN networks, supporting knowledge sharing and capacity building for climate action.
• UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 February 2026UNESCO and UN Global Compact Network convened experts in Saudi Arabia for a workshop on Sustainable AI, focusing on aligning AI innovation with environmental goals under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. The event highlighted Saudi Arabia's leadership in AI ethics and governance.
• UN Global Compact CEO Water Mandate's Water Resilience CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 January 2026UN Global Compact Network USA is associated with the CEO Water Mandate's Water Resilience Coalition through its parent organization UN Global Compact. Aqua for All announced a $40 million commitment alongside a partnership with this coalition targeting improved water and sanitation for 11.5 million people.
• ECOFACT AGsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerECOFACT AG has been mandated by UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein and other Global Compact Networks to support companies in responding to regulatory sustainability and corporate responsibility regulations. Delivers quarterly ESG Regulatory Briefings.
• Arizona State University (ASU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASU collaborates with UN Global Compact Network USA on the SDG Innovation Accelerator, developing the next generation of innovative business leaders through the Young SDG Innovators Programme.
• UN WomencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN Women collaborates with UN Global Compact on the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs), providing guidance to businesses on promoting gender equality in the workplace, marketplace, and community. Hosts joint webinars including WEPs 101 sessions.
• UN Global Compact (Parent Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN Global Compact Network USA is the US office of the United Nations Global Compact, the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative with over 15,000 companies and 3,000 signatories across 60+ countries.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• EcoVadis: Commercial sustainability ratings provider widely used in US/EU supply chains. Comparable because it serves the same corporate sustainability decision-makers on reporting and benchmarking, though it operates on a paid SaaS model rather than membership contributions.

Direct peers

• Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi): Sets science-based emissions reduction targets for companies, explicitly referenced in UN Global Compact Network USA's Climate Ambition Accelerator. Functions as a partner in some programs but also competes for corporate climate commitment and target-setting engagement.
• Ceres: US-based sustainability nonprofit working with investors, companies, and policymakers on climate and water challenges. Comparable as a US-domestic sustainability advocacy and convening organization, with overlapping corporate participant base and policy engagement focus.
• Global Reporting Initiative (GRI): Provider of the world's most widely used sustainability reporting standards, often used in tandem with the UN Global Compact's CoP. Directly comparable as a multi-stakeholder, mission-driven organization setting corporate sustainability disclosure frameworks used by US multinationals.
• UN Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI): Sister UN-supported initiative focused on incorporating ESG factors into investment decisions. Operates a similar UN-backed signatory/membership model targeting institutional investors, with comparable programmatic structure (reporting, peer learning, capacity building) to UN Global Compact Network USA.
• B Lab (B Corporation): Certifies B Corps for verified social and environmental performance, offering a US-facing corporate sustainability credential that overlaps with UN Global Compact Network USA's value proposition. Targets a similar US-based corporate audience seeking to signal sustainability commitment.
• Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB, now IFRS Foundation): Sets industry-specific sustainability accounting standards (now part of ISSB under IFRS Foundation). Comparable because it provides corporate sustainability disclosure standards that directly intersect with Network USA's CoP reporting requirements and ESG regulatory briefings.
• CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project): Global disclosure system for companies, cities, and regions to manage environmental impacts, with a heavy US corporate participant base. Directly competes for member mindshare on climate, water, and forests reporting, and often appears alongside UN Global Compact in the same ESG reporting stack.

Others

• International Integrated Reporting Council (IFRS Foundation Integrated Reporting): Promotes integrated reporting connecting financial and sustainability disclosures. Adjacent comparator as part of the broader corporate sustainability reporting standards ecosystem in which Network USA's CoP framework operates.

Broad incumbents

• World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD): Global, CEO-led association of sustainable businesses that convenes multinationals on ESG topics. Comparable as a broader-scope, member-based corporate sustainability organization with a wider international footprint but less US-specific focus than Network USA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/GlobalCompactUS
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@unglobalcompactnetworkusa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/global-compact-network-usa
• Instagraminstagram.com/globalcompactusa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about UN Global Compact Network USA