Beyond its function as a strategic sustainability partner, Sustainism Initiatives (STNSM) operates as a high-impact platform for elevating and articulating the verified sustainability outcomes of your organization—particularly in the priority areas of climate restoration, biodiversity conservation, and nature-positive transformation. Through its stewardship of the Climate Action Forum (CAF), held under the auspices of the United Nations system, STNSM offers a gateway to international recognition, policy relevance, and transformative visibility for businesses committed to sustainable development.
In strategic partnership with the Agricultural and Food Marketing Association for Asia and the Pacific (AFMA)—an intergovernmental organization (IGO) affiliated with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations—STNSM is uniquely positioned to facilitate the formal submission of your organization’s sustainability publication as an IGO-endorsed contribution. This opens direct access to certification, multi-stakeholder validation, and presentation on the international stage under the CAF framework.
Through this mechanism, your work in ESG implementation, climate-aligned innovation, and regenerative value chain practices can be professionally documented, independently validated, and strategically disseminated to key stakeholders within the United Nations agencies, UN Global Compact networks, development partners, and international financial institutions. Such positioning reinforces your organization’s alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and the Paris Agreement.
Importantly, publishing through the Climate Action Forum is not merely a form of disclosure—it is a declaration of readiness. It affirms your organization’s maturity in sustainability governance, and marks a pivotal step in fulfilling your role as an official partner of STNSM.
Each certified publication is recognized as a formal instrument of impact, demonstrating tangible business, financial, and investment outcomes that are explicitly mapped to SDG targets. This transforms sustainability from a voluntary principle into a verifiable performance benchmark—translating ambition into accountability.
In addition, STNSM will leverage your certified publication in its formal engagements with financial institutions, development finance entities, and climate finance partners, using it as an official reference to evaluate eligibility for green finance instruments. This includes—but is not limited to—sustainability-linked loans, transition credit frameworks, blended finance programs, and ESG-aligned investment portfolios.
Ultimately, by documenting and publishing your sustainability commitment under the CAF framework, your organization becomes more than a participant in global sustainability—it becomes a trusted, investable partner in the systemic transformation toward climate resilience and nature-positive economies.
Guidelines for Preparing Publications for Submission to the United Nations via the Climate Action Forum (CAF)
The Climate Action Forum (CAF) is a regional platform convened at the United Nations to promote organizations committed to sustainability and climate restoration. Any publication intended for submission to the UN through this forum must be clearly structured, evidence-based, and aligned with the principles of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Participating organizations are expected to report transparently to stakeholders, in accordance with the standards promoted by stnsm.org—such as through the Communication on Progress—to ensure credibility and alignment with international expectations.
Core Structure and Components
- Cover Page and Foreword
Include the title, institutional logos, and project overview. A leadership foreword should reflect the organization’s commitment to transparency and sustainable impact. - Executive Summary
A concise overview of objectives, implementation principles, and headline results—clearly presented on the first page. - Main Content
Structured into clear thematic sections such as ESG performance, sustainable supply chain management, risk governance, and corporate social responsibility policies. - Evidence and Supporting Data
Present key performance indicators (KPIs), summaries of project impact, and infographics supported by external research or verified reports. - SDG Mapping
Identify how each activity and outcome contributes to specific SDG targets, preferably presented in a visual format (e.g., matrix or infographic) using recognized reporting frameworks like GRI and UNGC SDG mapping tools. - Conclusion and Policy Recommendations
Summarize key achievements and provide forward-looking insights—such as new targets, upscaling strategies, or integrated business plans. - References and Bibliography
Include full citations for all sources, including UN publications, GRI standards, and supporting statistics, to ensure transparency and traceability.
Presentation Strategy
- Emphasize Business Value
Showcase the commercial case for sustainability—such as cost savings, brand equity, and new market opportunities—highlighting that ESG is not a burden, but a catalyst for long-term value creation. - Ensure Transparency
Disclose data and results clearly, using formal language and academically accepted standards (charts, technical definitions, and standardized formats) in accordance with stnsm.org guidance. - Integrate ESG–SDG Linkages
Demonstrate clearly which SDG goals are addressed by each ESG-related action. Use examples such as “plastic reduction in the supply chain supports SDG 12” accompanied by diagrams or tables. - Accessible and Engaging Design
Include visuals, real-world case studies, and simplified narratives to make complex data more accessible to readers from various sectors.
Validation Process for CAF Publications (International Standard)
- Cross-national Expert Review
Involve at least three independent experts from different countries with specialization in ESG or sustainable development (preferably from the Asia-Pacific region).
Documentation: Signed Statement of Validation including name, affiliation, and country. - Multi-Stakeholder Panel
Establish an independent panel comprising at least three representatives from key sectors:- Government or state enterprises
- Private sector
- Civil society organizations
Their role is to assess content reliability, provide technical feedback, and suggest policy-level improvements.
- Public Review & Feedback
Publish the draft on the CAF or STNSM website for a minimum of 14 days, inviting public commentary. Feedback received should be recorded and summarized in the appendix. - Official Endorsement Letter
Include a signed endorsement from stnsm.org or relevant partner institutions affirming the legitimacy and relevance of the publication. - CAF Certification Statement
Insert a formal certification page at the end or as an appendix. It must include:- Names of validation committee members
- Date of final approval
- Statement of purpose and recognition
- Reference to CAF 2025, with logo and QR code linking to the full publication
Important Note
For official referencing and dissemination, use the label:
“CAF 2025 Official Showcase Publication”
Avoid direct use of the UN emblem or the phrase “UN Publication” unless formal approval has been granted by an authorized UN agency.
Sustainism
June 2025