Even more committed to the United Nations Global Compact
A long-term partnership, now with even more ambitious commitments
The United Nations Global Compact is the largest international sustainable development initiative. It urges companies worldwide to be more socially responsible by incorporating and promoting the Compact’s Ten Principles, which focus on human rights, international labour standards, environmental protection and anti-corruption practices. L’Oréal joined in 2003 and has been committed to respecting the Ten Principles ever since. In 2020, the Group was once again named a UN Global Compact LEAD company—a distinction awarded to companies that attain the highest possible level of engagement.
L’Oréal contributes to achieving 16 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by all 193 UN member nations in 2015. These goals address the global challenges we face and aim to end extreme poverty and hunger, combat inequality and injustice, and address climate change by 2030.
Every year, L’Oréal Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jean-Paul Agon renews the Group’s commitment to the Global Compact and the company publishes a detailed report on how L’Oréal implements the Ten Principles.
Promoting gender equality and empowering women
L’Oréal is also a signatory of the Women’s Empowerment Principles, a joint initiative led by UN Women and the UN Global Compact, which aims to promote gender equality and empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community. As a signatory, L’Oréal is committed to respecting several principles including promoting gender equality at the highest levels of the company, ensuring fair and equal treatment of both women and men in the workplace, and providing training and professional development opportunities for women. These commitments have not gone unnoticed. In 2016, L’Oréal Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jean-Paul Agon received the CEO Leadership Award for his work in support of gender equality. The award acknowledges the impactful measures L’Oréal has implemented, including KPIs and qualitative information which give a clear picture of the progress made in this area at all levels of the company.
The Statement from Business Leaders for Renewed Global Cooperation
In a 2020 highlight, Jean-Paul Agon expressed L’Oréal’s support for inclusive multilateralism by signing the Statement from Business Leaders for Renewed Global Cooperation. The Statement upholds the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 16: to promote peace, justice and strong institutions. L’Oréal co-sponsored this Action Platform, working alongside other highly engaged companies. Its goal is to develop a framework for businesses to understand, implement and report on SDG 16 through corporate and global governance.
Faced with the Covid-19 pandemic as well as climate change, economic uncertainty and social inequality, engaged companies demonstrate their commitment to being responsible, ethical, inclusive and transparent to bolster consumer trust and help build a better future for all.
