We have made the case for climate justice – and people are increasingly responding – but commitment to concrete action is far too slow. In the context of the private sector, there is still an urgent need to demonstrate that acting on climate change is not a constraint but an opportunity and makes good business sense.Mary Robinson, at the 3rd UN Forum on Business & Human Rights, Dec 2014
Climate change is one of the greatest human rights challenges of our time. It has enormous consequences for the rights to life, health, housing and food, and will cause widespread displacement. Climate change has a disproportionate impact on certain groups, especially the poor and marginalised groups such as women, children, and the elderly.
Following the important Paris Agreement of 2015, rapid progress on implementing the agreement is critical.
Business has an essential role to play on climate change. This includes: reducing emissions (mitigation); taking steps to assist vulnerable people in supply chains and ensuring their needs are taken into account (adaptation); and taking responsible public policy positions - advocating for strong measures by governments, rather than blocking action.
A Presidential Task Force of the International Bar Association has made recommendations on "Climate Change Justice and Corporate Responsibility", available here. The UN's "Climate Action: Why it Matters to Businesses" provides a brief overview of the ways in which businesses can address climate change in support of SDG 13.
Renewable Energy & Human Rights Benchmark
The first human rights benchmark of the largest renewable energy companies
From Us
Research and briefings from the Resource Centre on Climate Justice
Transition Minerals Tracker
Tracking the human rights implications of the mineral boom powering the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Fast & fair renewable energy: A practical guide for investors
How investors can help tackle the climate crisis while respecting human rights in a just transition.
Mapping the Renewable Energy Sector to the Sustainable Development Goals: An Atlas
How renewable energy project developers and operators can best support the achievement of the SDGs
Further resources
Guide for investors on climate change & just transition
From the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and the Initiative for Responsible Investment at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Climate Accountability Scorecard
Assessment finds 8 major fossil fuel companies fail to adequately plan for low-carbon world
Philippines: Commission on Human Rights' investigation on climate change and human rights
CHR's investigation of 47 fossil fuel companies' contribution to climate and human rights impacts
