Category: Obligations Relating to Non-State Actors

The Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, endorsed by the Human Rights Council, provide that States are required to protect against human rights abuses within their territory and/or jurisdiction by business enterprises, and that corporations also have a responsibility to respect human rights. States’ duty to protect and corporations’ responsibility to respect both extend to human rights abuses caused by pollution or other environmental harm. The good practices in this respect include examples of States that have committed to support the implementation of the Guiding Principles, including with respect to activities that may affect the environment, and examples of individual companies that have undertaken good practices related to human rights and environmental protection.



Asia Pulp Paper’s Commitments to Protect Human Rights

Asia Pulp Paper Group (APP) is one of the world’s largest pulp and paper companies, producing tissue, packaging and paper. In 2012, Greenpeace exposed that some of APP’s suppliers were clearing Indonesia’s natural rainforests, including forest land within indigenous peoples’ territories. In response to Greenpeace’s campaign, APP made commitments to respect the …   Continue readingAsia Pulp Paper’s Commitments to Protect Human Rights

Coca-Cola’s Commitments to Protect the Environment and Human Rights

The Coca-Cola Company, a multinational headquartered in the United States, produces multiple brands of non-alcoholic beverages, including its flagship product, Coca-Cola. In recent years, the company has undertaken many initiatives promoting environmental protection and human rights. For example, the company has adopted a human rights policy, which applies to the …   Continue readingCoca-Cola’s Commitments to Protect the Environment and Human Rights

Certificación para la Sostenibilidad Turística en Costa Rica/Costa Rica’s Certification for Sustainable Tourism

The Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Tourism. Among other tasks, it administers the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) programme, a voluntary points-based system created in 1998 to recognize enterprises’ efforts towards environmentally friendly practices and business models. ICT evaluates each participating business …   Continue readingCertificación para la Sostenibilidad Turística en Costa Rica/Costa Rica’s Certification for Sustainable Tourism

European Union’s Implementation of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights to Protect the Environment

The EU 2011 Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy endorsed the Guiding Principles. EU institutions and EU member States have made commitments and efforts to support their implementation relating to activities that may impact on the environment. For example, the European Commission (EC) has prepared sector guidelines on implementing the Guiding Principles, including for …   Continue readingEuropean Union’s Implementation of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights to Protect the Environment

Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Reporting Framework

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is an international non-profit organisation that promotes the use of sustainability reporting as a way for organisations to become more sustainable and contribute to sustainable development. According to GRI, a “sustainability report is a report published by a company or organization about the economic, environmental and social …   Continue readingGlobal Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Reporting Framework

Patagonia’s Commitments to Protect the Environment and Human Rights

Patagonia, a manufacturer of outdoor clothing and equipment, has implemented innovative initiatives to promote environmental protection and human rights. For example, in 2008, Patagonia began conducting full environmental and social audits of its suppliers. The audit screens companies against Patagonia’s Code of Conduct and its Social and Environmental Compliance …   Continue readingPatagonia’s Commitments to Protect the Environment and Human Rights