Human rights and renewable energy companies: what role can investors play?

In this episode of the PRI podcast, the PRI's Nabylah Abo Dehman is joined by Steven Heim, Managing Director, Boston Common Asset Management, and Annie Signorelli, Project Manager for Renewable Energy and Human Rights at the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre.  

It is crucial that the transition to a net-zero economy happens fast. But the transition must be both fair and inclusive for workers and communities. As such, renewable energy companies should be expected to create decent jobs and respect the rights of communities around their operations.

Nabylah, Steven and Annie discuss, among other issues:

The main human rights risks associated with renewable energy companies How investors can play a role in ensuring that renewable energy companies can integrate human rights due diligence into their operations Recommendations for investors to ensure both climate and renewable energy investments respect human rights   What implications the risks associated with renewable energy companies can have on the transition to a low-carbon economy

Interested in the resources discussed in this episode? Find out more: 

Renewable Energy and Human Rights Benchmark Methodology: https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/renewable-energy-human-rights-benchmark-methodology

The Equator Principles: https://equator-principles.com/

Renewable energy investor briefing: Managing risks & responsibilities for impacts on local communities https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/renewable-energy-investor-briefing-managing-risks-responsibilities-for-impacts-on-local-communities

Fast and fair renewable energy: A practical guide for investors https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/fast-fair-renewable-energy-a-practical-guide-for-investors

First People Worldwide and University of Colorado questionnaire: https://www.colorado.edu/program/fpw/sites/default/files/attached-files/fpic_due_diligence_questionnaire-2.pdf

UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples.html

UN Global Compact business reference guide on UN declaration: https://www.unglobalcompact.org/library/541

RE 100: http://there100.org/