https://www.forestpeoples.org/en/public-sector/news-article/2020/proposals-require-uk-companies-address-human-rights-and
London, 31 March 2020
In these extraordinary and difficult times, FPP welcomes the UK Government’s launch of an important report prepared by the Global Resources Initiative (GRI).[1] The report, developed with input from over 200 representatives from British businesses, financiers, civil society organisations and government over the course of 18 months, charts a strategic pathway and a package of measures intended to reduce the global footprint on deforestation and land conversion associated with the UK’s commodity imports and domestic consumption.
While there are clearly immediate serious challenges for UK policy and action at home and abroad – providing food, health care and broader support to populations hit by Covid-19 – this report proposes progressive measures which the British government can support to enable a much needed transition towards sustainable and equitable trade and supply chains going forward.
Among its 14 recommendations, the report proposes that the UK government “urgently introduces a mandatory due diligence[2] obligation for companies that place commodities and derived products that contribute to deforestation on the UK market and to take action to ensure similar principles are applied to the finance industry” – a proposal that has been cautiously welcomed by representatives of indigenous peoples, local communities and civil society representatives in tropical countries who are on the frontline of deforestation and rights abuses driven by harmful commodity production.
Commenting on the proposal, Norman Jiwan of TuK INDONESIA, a Jakarta-based national association concerned with social and ecological justice, and the human rights impacts of policies and developments in Indonesia, said:
"We welcome the GRI proposal to create due diligence requirements throughout the global supply chains of UK companies. It is vital that UK regulation targets not only deforestation, but also addresses land grabbing, land disputes, and the criminalisation of indigenous, peasant and environmental defenders affected by the production of deforestation-risk commodities.
"Regulation should create a duty of care and provide remedies for continuing and future human rights violations. It must also promote shared responsibility between UK businesses and the suppliers they work with in producer countries, to ensure we see real change on the ground,” he added.
In recent years, several countries have taken legislative steps to encourage or require businesses to undertake due diligence processes in respect of human rights or environmental issues, including the UK (through the Modern Slavery Act 2015), France (through its 2017 Law on a Duty of Vigilance) and the Netherlands (through its 2019 Child Labour Law) – a reflection of the fact that voluntary measures by companies have not been effective, as originally hoped.
“Current voluntary incentives for human rights and environmental due diligence by large companies have not worked in the case of Liberia,” said Program Director of Social Entrepreneurs for Sustainable Development (SESDev) in Liberia, Mina Beyan.
“Mandatory due diligence is needed for all UK companies (small, medium and large) whose activities are linked to human rights violations and environmental damage. UK rules that include real opportunities for enforcement of such regulations and remedies for the victims of human rights infringements would be welcome news,” she said.
The sentiment was echoed by a leader of the Afro-descendant communities in Cauca and representative of the Black Community Process (PCN) (who cannot be identified due to threats to his security) said, “It is positive that the UK is looking at stronger safeguards for the impacts of its trade and investment on communities and our territories in Colombia and other countries. UK regulation is surely needed: it must guarantee that UK companies and financiers do not harm the social fabric and fundamental rights of our peoples”.
Helen Tugendhat of Forest Peoples Programme, who participated in the GRI process, noted “Due diligence legislation must encompass all commodity production linked, directly or indirectly, with UK businesses and its finance sector, regardless of the location of the ultimate importers or consumers.”
She added: “As we emerge from this time of difficulty and look to the future, investing in sustainable and responsible food systems and building positive changes in supply chains will be of paramount importance. The GRI report recognises the importance of social and environmental protections being built within future UK trade deals. FPP views this as crucial to underpinning sustained changes in the way we all behave, protecting us all, including peoples and forests at risk.”
This GRI report will be an important resource for rebuilding a more resilient, sustainable and just economic and social system in the aftermath of the damage caused to societies around the globe by Covid-19. Promoting sustainable production and consumption must be an urgent priority for governments and intergovernmental agendas as they review and put in place new policies and measures following this global crisis.
For more information contact:
Helen Tugendhat, Forest Peoples Programme: helen@forestpeoples.org
Norman Jiwan: normanjiwan@gmail.com or jiwannorman18@gmail.com
Tel: +6285691353429 or +6281315613536
Tom Dixon, Communications Manager, Forest Peoples Programme: tdixon@forestpeoples.org
NOTES
[1] The Global Resource Initiative is a multi-stakeholder dialogue process and taskforce established by the UK government in late 2018 in order to make recommendations for how the British government could reduce the climate and environmental footprint of key UK commodity supply chains. Dialogues took place over a period of 18 months, and included more than 200 representatives of business, finance, government and civil society, culminating in a report launched on 30 March 2020.
[2] Corporate human rights and environmental due diligence is a concept promoted by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and also supported by OECD’s Guidance on the Responsible Conduct of Business. It requires companies to identify and assess the impacts on human rights and the environment of their business, take steps to prevent and mitigate these risks, and provide a remedy where its activities cause negative human rights or environmental impacts.
Related link
Global Resource Initiative Taskforce: Final recommendations report 2020
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