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/

In this episode of the PRI podcast, the second in our series on modern slavery, the PRI’s Head of Social Issues, Bettina Reinboth, speaks with Mark Eckstein. Mark is Director of Environmental and Social Responsibility at CDC Group. He was a commissioner of the Liechtenstein Initiative, a partnership between the governments of Liechtenstein, Australia and the Netherlands, as well as Liechtenstein public-private sector actors and foundations, to put the financial sector at the heart of global efforts to end modern slavery and human trafficking.  

Bettina and Mark discuss how to move the Liechtenstein Initiative recommendations forwards from a DFI perspective.

Interested in the projects mentioned in this episode? Find out more:

• New private sector guidance on tackling modern slavery risks: https://www.cdcgroup.com/en/emerging-markets-investment/new-private-sector-guidance-on-tackling-modern-slavery-risks/
• A Blueprint for Mobilizing Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking: https://www.unpri.org/social-issues/a-blueprint-for-mobilizing-finance-against-slavery-and-trafficking/5156.article