Climate & Human Rights: Building Resilience for Business
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Business risks are evolving at a more rapid rate than ever as the world experiences extreme levels of disruption in the forms of climate, health, economic, and social justice crises. Business risks stemming from each of these crises are increasingly inter-related and must be addressed via an integrated approach, only then can companies effectively build resilience and thrive in spite of these stresses.
The UN Global Compact Network The UN Global Compact Network UK held a four-part Climate Action and Business & Human Rights webinar series to support companies in taking holistic action to address climate and human rights-related issues by raising awareness, addressing challenges, and demonstrating practical actions. Participants explored the interlinkages between climate and human rights risks, as well as practical tools, resources, and good practice to enable business to develop comprehensive approaches to address these two critical issues. The series focussed on building business resilience, and broader environmental and societal resilience.
PAST WEBINARS
Supply Chain Solutions
15 June, 10:00-11:30 BST
This session will dive into the supply chain risks presented by climate change and showcase the benefits of assessing these risks through a human rights lens. It will feature examples from companies who have already embedded this approach in their supply chain practices. The speakers will provide perspectives from different sectors and geographies.
Wendy Savage
Director of Social Responsibility, Traceability & Animal Welfare
Patagonia
Charlene Collison
Associate Director of Sustainable Value Chains and Livelihoods
Forum for the Future
Nushin Ghassmi
Head of Sustainability and Communications
Industrial Promotion Services (IPS)
Tom Streather
Technical Director – Social Performance
Mott MacDonald
Vulnerable Communities, Vulnerable Businesses
11 May, 10:00-11:30 BST
This session will feature interventions from those with lived experience of aggravated impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss on the grounds of gender, age, or membership of an indigenous community. It will showcase case studies in which the private sector has effectively engaged with those most vulnerable through inclusive and participatory development approaches. The session will also explore how partnerships with communities can support the effective implementation of nature-based solutions.
Phil Bloomer
Executive Director
Business and Human Rights Centre
Lee Mann
Head of Community Fair Trade and Regenerative Sourcing
The Body Shop
Neliswa Fente Hare
Race to Resilience Campaign Manager and Business Engagement Lead
Climate Champions Team
A Human Right to a Just Transition
20 April, 10:00-11:30 BST
This session will examine how the steps taken against climate change can impact the workers and communities most affected by the transition to net-zero, including those in carbon-intensive sectors and emerging technologies. It will highlight best practice examples from companies who have made commitments in this space and include civil society voices to present the idea of a human right to a just transition.
Rachel McEwen
Chief Sustainability Officer
SSE
John Morrison
Chief Executive Officer
Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)
Mika Minio-Paluello
Climate & Industry Lead
Trade Union Commission (TUC)
Tirza Voss
Sustainability Manager - Materials & Mining
Fairphone
Rishi Madlani
Head of Climate & Sustainable Finance
NatWest Group
Mandatory Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence
16 March, 10:00-11:30 GMT
This session opened with a keynote speech which provided a high-level overview of the nexus between climate action and human rights for business. It reviewed existing reporting frameworks and the links between them, as well as explored the business case for Mandatory Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence Legislation and provide practical guidance for pre-emptive action.
Elaine Mitchel-Hill
Business & Human Rights Director
Marshalls plc
Linda Kromjong
President
amfori
Thomas Tayler
Senior Manager, Sustainable Finance Centre for Excellence
Aviva Investors
Rae Lindsay
Partner
Clifford Chance
Dan Neale
Lead - Social Transformation
World Benchmarking Alliance
Stay Informed
- Climate and Human Rights: The Business Case for Action (BSR)
- New Climate Science Could Cause Wave of Litigation Against Businesses (The Guardian)
- Just Transitions for All - Business, Human Rights, and Climate Action (Institute for Human Rights and Business)
- Tackling Gender Inequality is ‘Crucial’ for Climate Adaptation (Carbon Brief)
- Indigenous Peoples Know the Path Towards a Climate-resilient Future (FAO)
- Supply Chains as a Game-Changer in the Fight Against Climate Change (BCG)
- Climate Change, A Human Rights Issue (UN Global Compact Network UK)
Contact
For any questions about the Climate and Human Rights: Building Resilience for Business webinar series, please contact Robert Mitton, Project Manager (Climate Action) or Cora Edwards, Project Manager (Business & Human Rights).
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