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Briefings and reports

This section contains briefings and reports published by the Business and Human Rights Centre.

To see briefings in all our languages, switch ON the ‘Show all languages’ toggle at the top of the page or in the menu.

Transition Minerals Tracker: 2026 global analysis

Human rights abuses in transition mineral mining are surging at an alarming rate. We recorded 329 new allegations of abuse at cobalt, copper, iron, lithium, bauxite, manganese, rare earth elements, nickel and zinc mining projects in 2025.

Highlighted releases

COPINH

Navigating a global crossroads: Human rights defenders and business in 2025

We documented nearly 800 attacks against human rights defenders raising concerns about business in 2025 – more than two attacks a day on average.

BHRC

Litigating the just energy transition: communities at the forefront of change

Communities and workers are suing companies and states over abusive mining and renewable energy projects. What does this mean for the energy transition?

Commercial priorities, human costs: fashion brands' purchasing practices during the US tariff crisis

We monitored global media coverage, supplier disclosure and direct testimony from unions and worker organisations across garment producing countries to understand how brand and buyer responses to US tariff changes translated into labour impacts across supply chains.

BHRRC

Videos: Canadian companies in Colombia

Canada’s reputation on the global stage is based on high human rights standards and progressive climate action. Yet in Colombia, communities affected by the operations of these industries report a litany of human rights abuses. This documentary series explores the uncomfortable gap between Canada’s image and its impact abroad, asking what happens when profit is prioritised over people.

Shutterstock (licensed)

“We were treated as if we were machines”: Migrant workers powering Saudi Arabia’s energy transition

Testimony from 34 migrant workers employed on nine renewable energy projects in Saudi Arabia reveals a litany of alleged human rights abuses. This briefing analyses the public human rights commitments of 16 companies linked to these projects and sets out recommendations for the sector.

Pexels - Ketut Subiyanto

Hidden risk is the most expensive: What investors need to know about high-risk surveillance technology

Surveillance technologies such as spyware, digital forensics tools, cell site simulators, and deep packet inspection systems are often marketed as “must-have” tools to combat crime or terrorism. These technologies sit at the intersection of security, innovation, and rising government demand, making them appear to be attractive investment opportunities. Yet for investors, this sector carries severe, under-recognised risks.

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224 results

  • BHRRC

    Unjust transition on trial: Communities and workers litigate to shape corporate practice

    10 Jul 2024

    The speed of the energy transition will depend on investment flows and the retention of public trust. Yet the disturbing trend of systemic abuse of communities and workers in renewable energy value chains has given rise to a tide of strategic litigation by communities and workers left with no option but to turn to the courts to defend their rights. These lawsuits result in project delays, “stop orders” and escalating costs - risks which companies and investors can and must avoid through robust human rights due diligence and better project design.

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  • BHRRC

    Keeping watch: Surveillance companies in Middle East & North Africa

    26 Jun 2024

    We asked 23 companies which allegedly produce or provide surveillance technologies to governments in the MENA region to respond to questions on their corporate transparency and human rights due diligence processes. Only five responded.

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  • Shutterstock (licensed)

    Just for show: Worker representation in Asia’s garment sector & the role of fashion brands & employers

    19 Jun 2024

    We examine the role of trade unions and alternative representative structures across six major garment-producing countries in South and Southeast Asia - Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - and explore how brands and their suppliers are relying on ineffective representation structures as an alternative to union engagement, undermining freedom of association and collective bargaining, depleting trade unions’ ability to build their membership and contributing to a vicious cycle of poor working conditions in the sector.

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  • Who pays for the crisis? May 2024 analysis

    22 May 2024

    Rounding up the key trends at the intersection of labour rights, purchasing practices and supply chain shocks, including analysis of brands’ responses.

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  • Shutterstock (licensed)

    Transition Minerals Tracker: 2024 Global Analysis

    16 May 2024

    Our annual analysis highlights the urgent need for a just energy transition based on three core principles: shared prosperity; robust human rights due diligence and worker, community and defender rights protections; and fair negotiation between business, workers and communities.

    Read more
  • Syndi Pilar, Shutterstock (licensed)

    People power under pressure: Human rights defenders & business in 2023

    7 May 2024

    We recorded 630 instances of attacks against people raising concerns about business-related harms in 2023. This is part of a consistent, ongoing pattern of attacks against HRDs protecting our rights and planet globally, with more than 5,300 attacks recorded since January 2015.

    Read more
  • Shutterstock

    Fuelling injustice: Transition mineral impacts in Eastern Europe & Central Asia

    30 Apr 2024

    Previously neglected in global analyses of transition minerals, the EECA region is becoming a new hotspot for transition mineral extraction and supply – primarily due to abundant reserves of these minerals now critical to a fast transition to clean energy. However, new research reveals that between 2019 and 2023, more than 400 allegations of abuse were linked to the development, extraction and processing of 20 transition minerals in the region.

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    Taking CTRL: Pathways to effective tech investor engagement

    24 Apr 2024

    Effective engagement and collaboration between civil society and investors is crucial in the fight for digital rights and corporate accountability. Lessons from the experiences of activists, civil society organisations and tech investors.

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  • BHRRC

    Switched off: Tech company opacity & Israel’s war on Gaza

    18 Apr 2024

    We invited 104 technology companies operating in or providing services to the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel to respond to a survey on transparency and heightened human rights due diligence in the context of Israel's war on Gaza.

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  • Shutterstock

    Big tech in Africa: Insights for investors

    25 Mar 2024

    Investors may not expect there to be serious legal, operational or reputational risks linked to the tech sector outside of the United States or the European Union. This assumption, however, is becoming outdated. This briefing highlights the salient human rights risks relating to the tech sector in Africa and links them to material risks.

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