Currently 230 companies are members of the Polish UNGC network, with as many as 73 of them joining in less than two years. MATERIALITY is also in this group; we have been a member of the UNGC since June 2025. Having observed the Global Compact for years, I can see that recent years have seen a clear increase in the number of members. What is more, not only the largest companies are joining the Polish network, but also medium-sized and smaller enterprises.
This is a good sign, because from the outset, the UNGC was intended to be a universal initiative open to all companies that declare their commitment to 10 universal principles concerning human rights, labor rights, environmental protection, and anti-corruption and anti-bribery. The Global Compact was created out of the need to establish a platform for cooperation between the United Nations and the private sector. The UN brings together states, and international treaties, such as the Paris Agreement, are negotiated and concluded by governments, but their subsequent implementation cannot take place in isolation from businesses.
This phenomenon of gradually involving business in the implementation of international agreements can be seen in the example of combating climate change. After 2015, during successive annual COPs (Conference of Parties), almost all the details of how we will strive to halt the climate crisis have already been agreed upon. However, it is not governments that build power plants using renewable energy sources, but individual companies. It is not government officials who protect companies from the negative effects of climate change, but these companies themselves that identify risks and implement adaptation measures.
The Global Compact creates such a platform, which facilitates understanding of new operating principles and enables each company to participate in a manner appropriate to its needs. The three main programs currently implemented by the UNGC are Business & Human Rights (concerning the practical implementation of UN guidelines on business and human rights), Climate Positive (concerning the transition to more sustainable business models), and Governance Compass (concerning strengthening the resilience of companies through ethics and transparency). It is also worth noting the Fast Forward initiative, which provides practical tools for implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
MATERIALITY clients often ask us for our opinion on whether it is worth joining various initiatives related to ESG, sustainable development, climate, etc. There have been many such initiatives in recent years, ranging from interesting and valuable to worthless and bordering on or outright greenwashing. We almost always begin our recommendation with a suggestion to join the UNGC, find your place in it, and actively participate in at least one program. Among these numerous initiatives, the Global Compact stands out for its consistency and the specific values that can be gained from membership. If you have heard of the UNGC but do not know all the details, simply read about it yourself. on its website 😊
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