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Article

20 Oct 2021

Author:
Global Business Initiative on Human Rights

Global Business Initiative on Human Rights launches portal on business, human rights & the climate crisis

Businesses are urgently taking increasing action on climate change. Reducing emissions, supporting the transition to cleaner energy, raising energy efficiency and building resilience to a warmer world. Ideally, we will achieve radical change in a way that is just, practicable and effective. But to so do, we need to ensure respect for human rights – that is, for people – in the transition process. 

The need to do this is increasingly recognised by both businesses and their stakeholders. It’s not acceptable to achieve positive outcomes for the planet at the expense of people. Or to manage risks to people at the expense of the planet. 

Better connecting these areas of work and decision-making can be complicated. But by taking proactive steps to embed respect for human rights in their responses to the climate crisis, businesses can help ensure these decisions do not negatively impact at-risk communities, workers and other groups around the world...

What a rights-respecting response to the climate crisis looks like in practice

Ways to better connect human rights and climate internally...:

  • Discuss openly with colleagues from the business and functions what the energy transition means, what responsible exit from carbon-intensive industries signifies for jobs and communities, and where human rights risks lie in renewable energies.
  • Check that governance frameworks are fit-for-purpose, including in light of emerging mandatory due diligence laws.

Ways to embed respect for human rights in climate-related decisions and action..:

  • Do human rights due diligence on climate-related actions, including efforts to transition to cleaner energy or adapt to a warmer world.
  • Where appropriate, try to make the link between climate and human rights in internal risk management processes.
  • Communicate with stakeholders about how the company ensures a rights-respecting response to climate change. 

What do the UN Guiding Principles tell us about better connecting human rights and climate change?

While not explicitly mentioning climate, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, or UNGPs, emphasise the need to respect human rights across all business activities. 

Key guidance relevant to bringing a rights-respecting response to the climate crisis includes:

  • Businesses should respect human rights. This means taking proactive steps to avoid negatively impacting human rights and addressing any negative impacts in which they are involved. 
  • Businesses should strive for coherence between their responsibility to respect human rights and policies and procedures that govern their wider business activities and relationships. 
  • Human rights due diligence should be initiated as early as possible in the development of a new activity or relationship. Assessments of human rights impacts should be undertaken at regular intervals, including prior to major decisions or changes in the operation, in response to changes in the operating environment and periodically throughout the life of an activity or relationship. 
  • In all contexts, business should treat the risk of causing or contributing to gross human rights impacts as a legal compliance issue...