Business & Human Rights

Agricultural Lenders Adopt ESG Principles

March 01, 2017

Members of the Council on Smallholder Agricultural Finance, an alliance of agricultural lending institutions, has adopted a set of "environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles" to promote "socially and environmentally responsible" lending to agricultural projects in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Report Reveals Broad Discussion on BHR Treaty

March 01, 2017

In its report on the latest consultations on the development of a binding UN treaty on business and human rights (BHR), the Intergovernmental Working Group charged with creating the treaty revealed a wide-ranging discussion on potential provisions requiring both governments and businesses to implement the global BHR agenda.
Foundation Prepares Index for Mining Industry

February 28, 2017

The Responsible Mining Foundation is soliciting public comments on its draft methodology for a planned global index ranking mining companies using "economic, environmental, social and governance" indicators.
UK Commission Publishes BHR Guide for Managers

February 28, 2017

The UK Equality and Human Rights Commission has published a "seven-step guide for managers" on how to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (BHR) in their business operations and global supply chains, starting with a "human rights policy commitment" and including public reporting on their BHR impacts.
Australia Reviews Corporate Reporting on Forced Labor

February 28, 2017

A subcommittee of the Australian Parliament has announced that it is beginning an inquiry into whether the country should pursue legislation, similar to the UK's Modern Slavery Act, imposing requirements on businesses to disclose their efforts to end forced labor in their global supply chains.