Climate change and the UNGPs

Climate change impacts directly and indirectly the enjoyment and realisation of all human rights. It can also exacerbate social and economic inequalities, and disproportionally affect people already in vulnerable situations.

While the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) do not address climate change explicitly, from the subsequent developments in understanding of international human rights law, including in the main international instruments referred to in the UNGPs, it is clear that States and business enterprises have obligations and responsibilities in relation to the impacts on human rights of climate change. The Working Group considers that the UNGPs provide useful and valuable guidance to States and business enterprises to deal with the impacts of climate change on human rights.

The Working Group has produced an Information Note on Climate Change and the UNGPs. This explains how the UNGPs can assist States, business enterprises and other actors to integrate the actual and potential impacts of climate change with other human rights related impacts caused by, contributed to or linked with business activities. It also provides a range of non-exhaustive recommendations under each pillar of the UNGPs. This Note should be read as a complement to the growing body of guidance and regulations aimed at addressing climate change.