Business & Human Rights

GSSB Announces Consultation on Sustainability Standards

March 28, 2016

The Global Sustainability Standards Board ("GSSB"), created by the Global Reporting Initiative, has announced that it will open consultation in the coming months on its development of a set of global business reporting standards updating sustainability guidelines to take into account the adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris climate agreement.
Study Considers BHR Risks in Mining

March 28, 2016

As nongovernmental organizations increase pressure on energy and mining companies to adopt the global business and human rights ("BHR") agenda, a study prepared by the Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law considers various categories of BHR risks in the mining sector.
Apple Issues $1.5 Billion "Green Bond"

March 23, 2016

The Guardian reports that, amid pressure from nongovernmental organizations and others to fund the global environmental agenda and report progress, technology company Apple has announced that it has issued a "green bond" through which it will seek $1.5 billion for environmentally friendly projects.
Academic: International Courts May Help "Shame" Businesses

March 23, 2016

In a review of an Inter-American Court of Human Rights ("IACHR") decision dealing with business and human rights ("BHR") issues, Professor Nicolás Carrillo-Santarelli of La Sabana University in Colombia praised the IACHR for facilitating the "shaming" of companies that violate the BHR agenda.
Resigning Official: UN Must Confront Companies on BHR

March 23, 2016

In her letter of resignation, former member of the UN Working Group on business and human rights ("BHR") issues Margaret Jungk called for the UN to do more to pressure businesses directly on fulfilling the BHR agenda, including through "missions" to and hearings on companies' BHR records.