The linkages between business, climate change and human rights

What are the linkages between business, climate change and human rights? For those on the frontlines, climate change is already eroding rights to food, water and sanitation, decent shelter, health, personal security and life itself.

Large-scale climate displacement threatens forcing millions of people into unsafe journeys, vulnerability and uncertainty. The UNFCCC (UN Framework Convention on Climate Change) has identified 1.47 billion jobs affected by climate change globally, in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, building and transport.

The risks to human rights from the transition to sustainable production are being recognised by businesses globally, with 75% of CEOs saying human rights informs their climate action initiatives (UN Global Compact). This is why sustainability and social factors are often discussed in tandem.