Origin commits to U.N. Global Compact for Sustainability

Origin Enterprises plc ('Origin' or 'the Group'), the international Agri-Services Group, today announces that it has become a signatory of the United Nations (U.N.) Global Compact, the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world. By doing so, the Group has committed to aligning its corporate strategy and business operations with the Ten Principles of the U.N. Global Compact on human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption, and the 17 U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.

Sean Coyle, CEO of Origin, commented: “Our sustainability journey is one of continuous evolution and progression, focused on safeguarding the environment for future generations, enhancing food production systems, promoting economic growth and protecting people’s health and wellness. As part of that journey we are committed to making the U.N. Global Compact, and its core principles, an integral part of our strategy, culture and day-to-day operations, and a guiding framework to measure and monitor our performance. We look forward to engaging in collaborative projects which advance broader development goals of the U.N., particularly the Sustainable Development Goals.”

ENDS

About the UN Global Compact

As a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, the United Nations Global Compact is a call to companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with ten universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Launched in 2000, the mandate of the UN Global Compact is to guide and support the global business community in advancing UN goals and values through responsible corporate practices. With more than 11,000 companies and 3,000 non-business signatories based in over 160 countries, and 68 Local Networks, it is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world.

About the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact

Human Rights

• Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
• Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.

Labour

• Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
• Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
• Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and
• Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

Environment

• Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
• Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
• Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
• Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.

Anti-Corruption

About the UN Sustainable Development Goals

In September 2015, all 193 Member States of the United Nations adopted a plan for achieving a better future for all — laying out a path over the next 15 years to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and protect our planet. At the heart of “Agenda 2030” are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which clearly define the world we want — applying to all nations and leaving no one behind.

The new Global Goals result from a process that has been more inclusive than ever, with Governments involving business, civil society and citizens from the outset. We are all in agreement on where the world needs to go. Fulfilling these ambitions will take an unprecedented effort by all sectors in society — and business has to play a very important role in the process.

About Origin Enterprises plc

Origin Enterprises plc is an international Agri-Services group, providing specialist agronomy advice, crop inputs and digital agricultural solutions to farmers, growers and amenity professionals. The Group has leading market positions in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Brazil, Poland, Romania and Ukraine. Origin is listed on the Euronext Growth (Dublin) and AIM markets of the Irish and London Stock Exchanges.

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