Business & Human Rights

Ruggie Refutes Narrow Interpretations of UNGPs

March 08, 2017

In a letter on the meanings of key terms in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), Harvard Professor and creator of the UNGPs John Ruggie writes that they encompass a broad scope of conduct businesses must assess across their operations and relationships.
NGO: Action on SDGs Fulfills Duties Under UNGPs

March 02, 2017

In a report for a commission of business representatives and others seeking fulfillment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the nongovernmental organization Shift calls for businesses to abide by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) by recognizing their responsibility to contribute to the SDGs in their operations and supply chains.
Energy Companies Brace for Singapore Carbon Tax

March 02, 2017

Reuters reports on the potentially substantial impacts of Singapore's announced tax on greenhouse gas emissions beginning in 2019, in line with the UN's climate deal agreed in Paris in 2015, on multinational energy companies involved in fossil fuel development in the city-state.
EU Parliament Revises Carbon Trading Scheme

March 02, 2017

The Guardian reports that environmental activist groups are criticizing for lack of ambition legislation passed in the European Parliament gradually reducing the number of emissions allowances granted to EU businesses to drive up the cost of using fossil fuels across the bloc.
UN Group Signals Broad Impact of UNGPs on Banks

March 01, 2017

In a recent letter objecting to portions of a discussion paper by the Thun Group of banks, the UN Working Group on business and human rights declared that, under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), banks owe broad duties of due diligence and remedy for the human rights impacts of the projects they finance.