Ricardo becomes signatory to United Nations Global Compact

Ricardo plc has become a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact and the UN Global Compact Network UK: the voluntary leadership platform which is for the development, implementation, and disclosure of responsible business practices.

Launched in 2000, the UN Global Compact is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world, with more than 15,000 companies and 3,500 non-business signatories based in over 160 countries, and more than 70 local networks. With this announcement, Ricardo is proud to join thousands of other companies globally and in the UK, committed to taking responsible business action to create the world we all want.

As a signatory, Ricardo is demonstrating that it supports the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and to take action in support of UN goals and issues embodied in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ricardo will be incorporating the Ten Principles into its day–to-day business as part of its environment, social and governance (ESG) strategy and sustainability agenda led by our ESG Forum and Sustainability Committee, and will report annually to demonstrate progress and obligations as a signatory.

Meeting fundamental responsibilities in these areas is at the heart of a company’s value system and principles-based approach to doing business, which defines corporate sustainability. By incorporating the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact into strategies, policies and procedures, and establishing a culture of integrity, companies are not only upholding their basic responsibilities to people and planet, but also setting the stage for long-term success.

Clive Wotton Group Director, Sustainability, Quality and Risk, Ricardo plc said: “I am pleased to confirm that Ricardo plc supports the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. We are committed to making the UN Global Compact and its principles part of the strategy, culture and day-to-day operations of our company, and to engaging in collaborative projects which advance the broader development goals of the United Nations, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Steve Kenzie, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network UK said: "The core of the United Nations Global Compact’s mission is to support companies doing business responsibly by aligning their strategies and operations with ten universal principles on human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption. We also support business taking actions to advance the Sustainable Development Goals. We are delighted and encouraged by Ricardo’s endorsement of our initiative.”

The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals were introduced in 2015 for all nations, in order to end poverty, reduce inequality, improve health and education, spur economic growth, and tackle climate change, with the intention of leaving no one behind. Ricardo has committed to eight of the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals: 3 – Good health and well-being; 6 – Clean water and sanitation; 7 – Affordable and clean energy; 11- Sustainable cities and communities; 12 – Responsible consumption and production; 13 – Climate action; 14 - Life below water; and 15 – Life on land.

Since December 2021, Ricardo’s proposed greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the collaboration between the CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

Find out more about the UN Global Compact.