Poland – SDG

2017-2020 NATIONAL ACTION PLAN

Pillar II: The Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights

1. Implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (2030 Agenda) [page 29]

The concept of responsible development as the basis for the Responsible Development Plan and the Strategy for Responsible Development is consistent with the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals adopted in conjunction with the 2030 Agenda in September 2015. The Agenda highlights key global challenges, such as widespread poverty; growing inequalities; unemployment, especially among young people; health threats; natural disasters; conflicts; violence; huge disparities of opportunity, living standards, access to open and responsible public institutions; and threats related to climate change. At the same time, the 2030 Agenda includes a framework development plan, indicating 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets to stimulate development in the most important areas for people and the planet. The fundamental message is the pursuit of development that will guarantee a dignified life for everyone. The premise is that achieving the SDGs requires consistent actions and progress in three areas of sustainable development: economic, social, and environmental. The 2030 Agenda recognises the responsibility of every country for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals at the national level, taking into account different national realities, capacities, and levels of development, as well as respecting national policies and priorities. The goals of the 2030 Agenda relate to all social, professional, organisational, business, scientific, local, regional, and national groups. The challenge is to ensure that every stakeholder has a proper role and an opportunity to be involved in the implementation process in a responsible manner. The process of changes in the economic sphere should be accompanied by active employment policies to facilitate a fair transition to creating decent and safe working conditions. The SDGs also have a clear business justification with real opportunities to take concrete action on both investments (including in important sectors, such as infrastructure, energy, and industrial production) and responsible business conduct, such as appropriate labour standards, respect for workers’ rights, efficient use of resources, as well as clean and environmentally friendly technologies and production processes. The key to success in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is their alignment with business strategies, through the promotion of a circular economy (environmentally friendly circulation of closed and sustainable value chains), promotion of integrated and long-term thinking, and stakeholder engagement. Attention should also be focused on the promotion of sustainable business models and the active involvement of SMEs that have limited business opportunities. The fulfilment of national priorities and strategic projects envisaged in the Strategy for Responsible Development will support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs.

 

2021-2024 NATIONAL ACTION PLAN

2. Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy

Responsible business – promoting due diligence standards

The effectiveness of activities carried out so far in the form of cooperation within the Advisory Board for Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility encourages further development of the initiative and dialogue with representatives of various institutions and sectors. Therefore, the activities of the Advisory Board for Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility will be continued in the years to come. Within the framework of the Advisory Board’s work, plans involve a continuation of activities in the field of promoting standards related to respect for human rights in business activity of enterprises. A significant role in this respect will be played by the Working Group for Relations with Individuals Performing Work. The scope of tasks of the Working Group will be determined each time by the Advisory Board for Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility within the framework of annual action plans. The plans of the Working Group include, among others, the following activities:

o   promotion of the handbook entitled: “Forced labour. A Guidebook: how to recognise and combat it” consisting in a wide-ranging e-mailing of the handbook, mailing of the paper version and organisation of webinars on the tools presented in the handbook. Information on the tools developed in the handbook will also be provided during meetings and trainings addressed to entrepreneurs organised by the Advisory Board for Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility, – page 10

The issue of due diligence in the field of human rights will also be of particular interest to the Advisory Board for Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility in view of the legislative changes planned at the EU level as regards due diligence in the area of human rights and environmental issues, as well as in the field of non-financial reporting covering, among others, issues concerning the respect for human rights. Monitoring the directions of legislative changes in non-financial data reporting planned at the EU level, as well as work in areas related to non-financial reporting, constitutes one of the tasks of the Working Group on the Development of Non-financial Reporting established on 31 March 2021. – page 11

3. Ministry of Economic Development and Technology

Implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (2030 Agenda)

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges for the global economy and hindered effective achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the same time, it has set excellent ground for change, moving away from ‘business as usual’ and adapting operating models, both in and outside business, to the new challenges. The pandemic crisis has also brought to light the fact that the full implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is crucial to give momentum to better recovery, transition towards a green and digital economy, strengthen its resilience and be well prepared for future shocks.

A dynamic shift towards sustainable development has been observed at many levels of action. The Sustainable Development Goals have been increasingly mainstreamed in international and European policies. They are becoming a reference point both for EU development strategies (e.g. the European Green Deal) and for individual countries. The response to the COVID-19 crisis (European Recovery Instrument) is also based on the concept of sustainable development, and so is the National Recovery Plan, which will provide an impetus for business and public administration to undertake reforms and investments boosting the potential for growth and economic and social resilience, while fostering ‘green’ and digital transformation. – page 12

(…)From the point of view of the Coordinator of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Poland – the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology – in the coming years the implementation of the idea of sustainable development will strongly rely on the practical application of the provisions included in the report ‘Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in Poland’, adopted by the Council of Ministers in June 2018, i.e.: first of all, supporting education for sustainable development, ensuring consistency of development policy and effective monitoring of progress in achieving the goals. The Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, in cooperation with the OECD and the EC, will implement a project consisting in the preparation and implementation of a programme to develop the competences of public administration in the area of sustainable development.

An effective response to a clearly emphasised direction of action at European and national level requires well-prepared human resources, able to combine competences, willing to cooperate and committed to change. Entrepreneurs facing unprecedented pandemic challenges need multidimensional assistance and systemic support in their transformation towards sustainable development, e.g. in terms of access to resources and knowledge on sustainable development – most SMEs are still not aware of the concept of sustainable development, lack adequate resources (human, capital) to build responsible business models.

From the point of view of the Coordinator of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Poland – the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology – in the coming years the implementation of the idea of sustainable development will strongly rely on the practical application of the provisions included in the report ‘Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in Poland’, adopted by the Council of Ministers in June 2018, i.e.: first of all, supporting education for sustainable development, ensuring consistency of development policy and effective monitoring of progress in achieving the goals. The Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, in cooperation with the OECD and the EC, will implement a project consisting in the preparation and implementation of a programme to develop the competences of public administration in the area of sustainable development.

Building partnerships and enhancing the dialogue with 2030 Agenda stakeholders, as well as striving to increase their real involvement in issues relevant for sustainable development – such as social responsibility, equality between women and men, ensuring decent work, sensitivity to climate change, sustainable consumption and production – will remain crucial. – page 13