Decision Makers’ Pledge
I support a new law on business, human rights and the environment to protect people and planet from abuse.
I recognise that UK businesses, investors, the public and civil society groups support the call for a new UK law requiring the conduct of human rights and environmental due diligence by business and the public sector.
I agree that we can no longer leave these vital issues to voluntary initiatives, which businesses themselves now recognise do not provide adequate protection for human rights and the environment. A new law must include accountability mechanisms, including enforcement and the provision of access to justice for victims.
A new law would:
Demonstrate UK leadership on business and human rights
Ensure people and the planet are protected from human rights abuses and environmental destruction
Allow investors to identify the greatest risks to and impacts on people and the planet linked to portfolios
Align the UK with advances being made in many other countries
Provide a ‘level playing field’, including for responsible businesses at risk of being undercut by less scrupulous competitors
Sign the pledge
Businesses, people, civil society groups, individual states and groupings like the G7 are all demanding or committing to introducing new laws on business, human rights and the environment.
We invite all decision makers, in Westminster and in the devolved governments, to recognise this call and show your support by signing the pledge.
Please show your leadership on this issue and help secure the new law that we urgently need.
Key resources for supporters of new legislation:
provided by the Corporate Justice Coalition.
The clear case for a new law
A short briefing document explaining why new legislation is needed.
Bridging the gap: a case study report.
A set of 15 case studies demonstrating how UK companies, financial institutions and public bodies are connected to severe abuses around the world with analysis of how new legislation could have made a difference in each situation.
The environmental case for a new law
A short briefing document explaining why new legislation is needed to protect our environment from corporate harm.
The case for a gender-responsive approach.
A short briefing document explaining why gender-responsive corporate accountability legislation is needed to protect the rights of women and girls.
A model Business Human Rights and Environment Act.
Based on extensive consultation with legal experts civil society and rightsholders, this model proposal lays out what effective UK legislation could look like. This proposal has also been submitted to the House of Lords as a PMB by Baroness Lola Young.
A new law to protect labour rights everywhere.
An explainer document developed in collaboration with UNISON exploring why a new law is necessary and how it would strengthen labour rights and the UK economy.
© 2022 Corporate Justice Coalition. Charity number: 1179102.