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Opinion

This section contains opinion pieces from the business and human rights movement, written by both our global team and many authors outside of our organisation. These have been curated and published by the Business and Human Rights Centre.

In uncertain times, what are the certainties for our movement?

If the first few weeks of this year have shown us anything, it is that the only certainty in 2026 is uncertainty. What does this mean for the business and human rights movement? Our Executive Director Michael Clements looks ahead to the rest of 2026.

Opinion series

Road to COP30

Vital perspectives from our team, partner organisations and allies on the key business and human rights issues at COP30 - from the transformative potential of benefit sharing to what the renewable energy agenda means for Indigenous Peoples and workers.

Binding treaty 2025: Essential discussions and perspectives

Ahead of the thematic intersessional consultations held in April, June and August to prepare for the 11th session of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on a binding treaty in October 2025, experts reflect on articles of the treaty that will be discussed and steps to take for concrete progress in the treaty process.

Mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence

Experts from civil society, governments and business discuss what Mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence could mean for advancing human rights in business.

All opinion pieces

Explore all of the opinion pieces we've written and received below. Open the filter to refine the list by topic tags or to enter search terms, and subscribe to the RSS feed to receive updates regarding new posts in your feed reader of choice!

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    Learning from success in renewable energy: Indigenous leadership & shared prosperity

    13 Sep 2023 Joan Carling, Executive Director, Indigenous People’s Rights International; and Phil Bloomer, Executive Director, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre

    The transition to clean energy is now a global emergency. As we hurtle towards a tipping point, Indigenous and marginalised communities around the world are facing the brunt of the catastrophe, having contributed the least to the crisis. With a move to clean energy sources essential to correct our current course, Joan Carling of IPRI and Phil Bloomer, BHRRC, underscore the golden opportunity we have to deliver true, shared prosperity, with good jobs, resilient livelihoods, healthier environments, and thriving communities.

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    Enabling a just energy transition: The crucial role of corporate accountability in the EU Critical Raw Materials Act

    12 Sep 2023 Olga Martin-Ortega and Caroline Avan, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, Johanna Sydow, Heinrich Böll Foundation, Alejandro Gonzalez and Joseph Wilde-Ramsing, SOMO

    The European Parliament is preparing to vote on the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) this week, providing a golden opportunity to embed key principles which will promote a true just energy transition.

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    Will the new wave of trade and sustainability initiatives succeed in protecting rights?

    7 Sep 2023 Professor James Harrison, University of Warwick

    Professor James Harrison analyses the wave of initiatives intended to make international trade deliver for people and planet.

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    The heat is on: key principles for a just energy transition

    30 Aug 2023 Phil Bloomer, Executive Director, & Michael Clements, Director for International Programmes, BHRRC

    The 2023 warning sirens of a tipping point in climate breakdown are getting louder. We have wasted 40 years, deluded by powerful vested interests, the ease of ‘business as usual’, and the distraction of political manoeuvring. So a fast transition to clean energy has now become an emergency. But, to be fast, the transition must also be fair. It must build on precious public support rather than squander it.

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    Revisiting American exceptionalism in light of child labor scandals

    11 Aug 2023 Dr Shawn MacDonald, Verité

    As labor abuses come to light in one emerging market country after another, we are ignoring the warnings from frontline advocates about similar conditions in the US, argues Dr Shawn MacDonald, CEO of Verité.

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    From compliance to conscience: Businesses and human rights in Russia

    26 Jul 2023 Nina Prusac, Business and Human Rights Consultant at B4Ukraine

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    Taming the monster: Artificial intelligence & the duty of care

    25 Jul 2023 Phil Bloomer, Executive Director, BHRRC

    Generative AI can bring enormous benefits to our societies – ranging from new medicines to scientific research. But, like social media apps two decades ago, AI technology is currently released into a Wild West market with no effective regulation to direct its use to social and public benefit, nor to prevent its enormous potential for harm - this must be urgently and comprehensively addressed, argues Phil Bloomer, BHRRC.

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    Inside Qatar 2022: A FIFA Human Rights Volunteer reflects on the legacy of the World Cup for migrant workers

    6 Jul 2023 Deepika Thapaliya, Survey Manager at Equidem

    In December 2022, Qatar's long-awaited moment arrived as it hosted the world's most magnificent sporting event – the FIFA World Cup. While fans eagerly gathered from across the globe to witness the event, the dark truth of exploitation and human rights abuses loomed amidst its grandeur.

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    Cutting-edge new city or harmful vanity project? Questions companies investing in Neom should ask...

    4 Jul 2023 Natasha Joseph, ALQST

    After the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, companies around the world rolled back their involvement in Neom, the megacity project being built on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast. However, since then, many have come on board as scrutiny surrounding the country's human rights abuses is put on the back burner. But Saudi Arabia’s past dismal record is not the only reason why companies should reconsider partnerships with the Kingdom - the Neom project itself is beset with serious and ongoing human rights concerns.

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  • Series

    How import bans can help tackle forced labour in global supply chains

    30 Jun 2023 Tom Wills, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre

    Forced labour import bans are emerging as key tools for policy makers seeking to push companies into dealing with the human rights risks in their supply chains.

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