English/US
During the conference “From Margin to Mainstream: Disability in Business”, organized by the ILO Global Business and Disability Network, business leaders from major global corporations signed a commitment to strengthen the inclusion of persons with disabilities in corporate sustainability practices. This initiative marks a significant step forward in integrating diversity into environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
Among the first signatories of the “Business Leaders’ Commitment on Disability-Inclusive Sustainability Practices” are Accenture, AXA, Capgemini, Egis, L’Oréal, Orange, Repsol, Salesforce, and Sanofi. The commitment was formalized by senior executives from these organizations, reaffirming their dedication to promoting inclusion through the ESG perspective and other sustainability frameworks.
The commitment highlights the growing importance of disability inclusion not only as a social value but also as a strategic advantage for businesses and investors. To support the implementation of these practices, the ILO Global Business and Disability Network launched the guide “Putting the I in ESG: Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Sustainability Practices as a Strategic Advantage for Corporates and Investors.” This document provides guidelines for defining and reporting inclusive business practices, aligning with global standards such as the European Sustainability Reporting Standards, Global Reporting Initiative, and ISO 26000.
The guide also establishes a set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that enable companies to set concrete goals, track progress, and identify gaps in disability inclusion within their operations. By aligning with international frameworks, these measurements become consistent, reliable, and comparable across different sectors and regions, fostering greater transparency and impact.
With this initiative, major corporations emphasize the need for a more inclusive corporate environment, recognizing that sustainability cannot be fully achieved without considering diversity and accessibility. The signed commitment sets a milestone for the definitive integration of disability inclusion into sustainability strategies, promoting more equitable and sustainable economies.