SDG 16: PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
International benchmarks for governance, ethics and transparency
#transparency #ESG #corporate social responsibility #SDG
Iberdrola's Governance and Sustainability System is founded on ethics, transparency and best international practice in matters of good management, with the aim of defending the public interest and creating sustainable value for all its Stakeholders. The company supports a culture of zero tolerance towards corruption and fraud and promotes the study and dissemination of the principles of business and professional ethics.
Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions. Video voice transcription (Spanish version) [PDF]
OUR CONTRIBUTION TO SDG 16: PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
Iberdrola has adapted its regulatory system to the three main areas used by the international investment community to measure the impact and sustainability of its investments, which are the environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects. Therefore, this set of regulations has been renamed the Governance and Sustainability System which is divided into five books: By-Laws, Purpose, Environment and Climate Action, Social Commitment and Corporate Governance.
Iberdrola promotes a culture of zero tolerance towards corruption and fraud, that forms the foundation for its Compliance System which is efficient, independent and under a continuous process of review to ensure that the company functions in accordance with ethics and current legislation.
In 2020, Iberdrola renewed its 2017 certifications with AENOR UNE-ISO 37001 for its anti-bribery management system and UNE 19601 for its criminal compliance management systems.
The group has anonymous ethics mail boxes for reporting activity that is irregular or contravenes the law or the company's Code of Ethics.
First European utility and first IBEX-listed company to get approval for its global privacy and data protection standards, aligned with the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Creation of the Iberdrola Financial and Business Ethics Chair at the Universidad Pontificia Comillas, as well as extension of the Iberdrola Sustainable Development Goal Chair
External link, opens in new window. at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid to include business ethics.
These good practices have made Iberdrola the deserving winner of a number of prizes, awards and certifications, including:
- Inclusion for the eighth year running in the Ethisphere Institute's list of the World's Most Ethical Companies.
- Recognised as the Spanish company with the best corporate governance practices, according to the publication World Finance.
- Compliance Leader Verification certification from the Ethisphere Institute for its Compliance System.
- First Spanish company to obtain AENOR certification for its Tax Compliance Management System in accordance with the requirements set by the UNE 19602 standard.
- Expansion Prize for the company with the best compliance practices, 2018-2019.
WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 16: PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS?
SDG 16 seeks to promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies, ensure access to justice and build efficient and responsible institutions. For this it is necessary to reduce all forms of violence and mortality rates throughout the world; put an end to ill-treatment, exploitation and human trafficking and the torture of children; promote the full rule of law and guarantee access to equal justice for all. It also sets out to reduce corruption and bribery, among other targets.
WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO ACHIEVE SDG 16: PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS?
Sustainable development includes achieving peace, human rights and effective governability. Some regions enjoy permanent levels of peace and security; others, conversely, go through cycles of conflict and violence (some almost permanently). Our world is ever more divided and we must try to find peace and fraternity, which can be done with everyone's help.
Weak institutions, insecurity, conflict and limited access to justice continue to threaten sustainable development. Over 79.5 million people fled from conflicts, persecution or war in 2019, a figure that is the highest since records began. According to the UN Sustainable Development Goals Report (2020), one in four children has no legal identity through not having their birth registered, which makes fighting for their rights difficult.
Every day 100 civilians die (including women and children) as a result of armed conflict, despite international rights protection. The UN recorded at least 106,806 civilian deaths in 12 of the world's major armed conflicts between 2015 and 2017, in other words almost 12 civilian casualties per 100,000 population every year.
If we look at the world homicide rate, it is going down slowly: in 2000 it was 6.8 per 100,000 population, while it fell to 5.9 in 2015 and 5.8 in 2018. These figures translate to 440,000 murder victims throughout the world every year. 36 % of these live in Sub-Saharan Africa and 33 % in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The fragilities of the world are acerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is why in March 2020 UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, launched an appeal for an immediate global ceasefire, in order to provide humanitarian aid in any corner of the world and open diplomatic channels. Although this measure met with support, there are still great challenges ahead. In fact, in countries where there is armed conflict, the threat from COVID-19 is multiplied since the fighting has devastated health systems and the population lives crowded together with little or no access to basic services.
Elsewhere, the curse of world corruption continues unabated. Every year, $1 bn is spent on bribes and $2.6 bn of public money is stolen by various agents of corruption (according to UN data from 2018). COVID-19, far from stemming these problems has given them a boost, putting to the test the nations that were fighting corruption before the pandemic. Such is the case in some Latin American countries, where there are cases of irregular distributions of aid, over-valued purchases and lack of transparency in allocations linked to the health crisis.
Reverting this situation will only be possible with the involvement of all players at a global level. This is why promoting peace, justice and strong institutions is SDG 16 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals approved in September 2015, as part of 2030 Agenda.
Iberdrola with the sdg
Keys to understanding peace and justice in the world
Who does it affect?
Corruption bribery, theft and tax fraud cost $1,260 million a year in developing countries.
68.5 million people displaced from their homes and 28.5 million children do not go to school because of armed conflicts.
31 world's jail population have been imprisoned without due process.
How is this distributed around the world?
The 10 least peaceful countries (with the lowest Global Peace Index) are in Asia (45%), Africa (50%) and Europe (5%):
5
4
3
2
1
0
Main causes
Religious conflicts; the political and economic interests of countries, social and economic inequalities, , which create a breeding ground for political extremism, conflict and violence; and the support of the arms industry by certain organisations and countries.
How can we promote them?
The rule of law and human rights need to be strengthened; we have to reduce the flow of illicit arms; developing countries need to be helped to increase their exports and fair and open international trade to the benefit of all must be encouraged.
Sources: Global Peace Index. UN and UNHCR (2018).
SDG 16 TARGETS: PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
The specific targets set for the year 2030 are:
- To reduce all forms of violence and put an end to ill-treatment, exploitation and human trafficking.
- To promote the rule of law and guarantee equal access to justice.
- To reduce the flow of illicit finance and arms, corruption and bribery in all their forms.
- To provide access to legal identity for all people through birth registrations.
- To guarantee public access to information and the protection of basic freedoms through national laws and international accords.
