The Global Business Initiative on Human Rights GBI Conversations

GBI's CEO Ron Popper provided his analysis to Jo Reyes of the latest CSDDD developments and the implications for business practitioners and their companies.

The approval of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) marks a significant milestone. Despite significant watering down, the Directive promises a uniform standard for corporate human rights and environmental due diligence across EU member states, with implications far beyond EU boundaries.

In our latest GBI Conversations podcast, GBI CEO Ron Popper shares his analysis – the disappointments but also signs of renewed hope for the future. Whilst subject to significant compromises, implementation of the Directive still signifies a crucial step forward in embedding core elements of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights into hard national law.

Ron emphasises the need for companies to pump more resources into due diligence, greater alignment between human rights and environmental departments, and better understanding of human rights implications at the board level as crucial to future progress and success.

In this episode, Yann Wyss, Global Head - Social Impact and Human Rights at Nestlé, and GBI Director Sophia Areias provide insights into the practicalities and realities of incorporating human rights risks into a company’s climate action.

The risks to people caused by mining the minerals and metals needed to fuel the transition are immense. As part of our discussions to better understand the risks to people in companies’ climate action, we spoke with Norman Mukwakwami, Social Performance Manager for the Africa Region for Trafigura. In this episode, Norman discusses the company's approach to engaging suppliers to identify and mitigate human rights risks associated with the transition.

Director Sophia Areias discusses insights from GBI's consultations and discussions with companies and other organisations in diverse geographies exploring the human rights impacts of company climate action.

Anita Ramasastry, Senior Advisor to the Global Business Initiative on Human Rights, speaks with Catie. They discuss how the role of commercial lawyers in supporting companies to implement HRDD is changing, what commercial lawyers can do to support their companies navigate mandatory human rights due diligence requirements in a meaningful and effective way, and
opportunities to overcome key challenges.

Jon Drimmer, North America Advisor to the Global Business Initiative on Human Rights, speaks with Catie Shavin. They discuss how expectations regarding access to remedy are hardening as a result of mandatory human rights due diligence laws, what this means for business and how to prepare.