In the fourth episode of the PRI’s human rights podcast series, Nikolaj Pedersen speaks to biomedical researcher, health rights advocate, and Head of Policy at the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, Els Torreele and Peter Hughes, fund manager at AXA Investment Managers about COVID-19 vaccine ownership and distribution and what investors can do to promote fair and equal access.

As of July this year, more than 80% of vaccine doses globally had been given to individuals in high and upper-middle-income countries. Only 1% of people in low-income countries at the time had had at least one dose. 

The United Nations commissioner on human rights has stated that "affordable, non-discriminatory access to the vaccine is a human right" and because of the failure to provide fair and equal access to the vaccine the World Health Organisation has stated that the world "is on the brink of a catastrophic moral failure".

The economic consequences are also grave with an estimated $9.2 trillion lost if governments fail to ensure that developing economies have access to COVID-19 vaccines

What is wrong with the current research and development system? Why does ownership of IP, know-how and technology matter? And what can investors do?

Listen to this episode as we explore these questions with our esteemed guests.

Find a trascript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/3CqbNhN

Interested in the resources discussed in this episode?

Investors issue urgent call for “fair and equitable” global response to COVID-19: https://accesstomedicinefoundation.org/news/investors-issue-urgent-call-for-fair-and-equitable-global-response-to-covid-19

Study shows vaccine nationalism could cost rich countries US$4.5 trillion: https://iccwbo.org/media-wall/news-speeches/study-shows-vaccine-nationalism-could-cost-rich-countries-us4-5-trillion/

Campaigners warn that 9 out of 10 people in poor countries are set to miss out on COVID-19 vaccine next year: https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/campaigners-warn-9-out-10-people-poor-countries-are-set-miss-out-covid-19-vaccine

In the third episode of the PRI’s human rights podcast series, the PRI’s Elena Espinoza speaks to two members of Grenfell United, a group of survivors and bereaved families of the Grenfell Tower fire, and Simon Whistler, real assets lead at the PRI. 

The Grenfell Tower fire occurred early in the morning of Wednesday 14 June 2017 in North Kensington, London. It spread quickly through the tower block’s 24 stories, taking the lives of 72 people and injuring many more.

After the disaster, it emerged that the cladding that was put on the tower during its refurbishment fuelled the fire.

As a result of mounting pressure from bereaved families, investors have been selling shares in Grenfell Tower cladding firm Kingspan.  

In this episode, Grenfell United speak about the ways in which they raised concerns before the fire and how they have engaged with investors who are tied to companies linked with the tragedy.

The PRI's Simon Whistler then reflects on Grenfell United’s testimony, outlining how investors can strengthen their due diligence processes and describing the lessons that investors internationally can learn.

Interested in the resources discussed in this episode?

Grenfell United

Investors sell of shares in Grenfell Tower insultation firm Kingspan

US judge allows lawsuit against Grenfell Tower cladding firm

In this episode of the PRI’s human rights podcast series, the PRI’s Nabylah Abo Dehman speaks to Jennifer Bates, an Amazon worker who played a key role in organising the union drive in Bessemer, Alabama and Corey Klemmer, Director of Engagement at Domini Impact Investments.  

In this episode, Ms Bates reflects on her experiences of working for Amazon, the recent union drive and the result of the vote. In the second part of the podcast, Ms Klemmer shares her reaction to Ms Bates’ testimony, the allegations of union-busting at Amazon and describes how investors can engage with Amazon on current practices.

Interested in the resources discussed in this episode?

Ohman and Folksam letter to Amazon

CWC Statement for Investors on the Union Election At Amazon’s Facility in Bessemer, AL

Union Files NLRB Election Objections

NBC New Report on Amazon Union Avoidance

All expressions of opinion of Ms. Klemmer reflect her judgement as of the date of this podcast and are subject to change. They do not constitute any form of investment advice. Domini Impact Investments does not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. None of her comments should be considered a recommendation concerning the merits of any noted company, or an offer of sale or solicitation of an offer to buy shares of any such company.

In this episode of the PRI podcast, the PRI’s Nikolaj Halkjaer Pedersen engages in a dynamic human rights focused conversation with Chris Newton, Executive Director of Responsible Investment at IFM Investors and

Akiko Sato, Human Rights Lawyer and Japan Programme Coordinator at the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre.

The podcast begins by grounding an investor’s understanding of human rights through analysing what human rights are, where they exist in relation to fiduciary duty and how they can be integrated into ESG considerations. It then explores the ways in which human rights are regulated across different geographies, how human rights considerations can be incorporated across asset classes and the importance of investor responsibility to enable and provide access to remedy. It concludes with the guests expressing their hopes and desires for the future of human rights in institutional investment.

Read the PRI's flagship paper, Why and how investors should act on human rights

In the last episode in our series of modern slavery podcasts, the PRI's Head of Social Issues, Bettina Reinboth speaks with Anders Stromblad, Head of Alternative Investments and External Management at AP2.

There are currently 40.3 million people in modern slavery today.

To bring this number close to zero by 2030, and reach the Sustainable Development Goal target 8.7, we would need to reduce the number of individuals affected by 10,000 a day.   

The risks of modern slavery are increasing due to changes such as climate change, automation and migration, as they disrupt global labour markets and value chains.  

In this episode, Bettina and Anders discuss how AP2 is addressing modern slavery and human trafficking across its investments, and what private equity investors can do to tackle the issue.

Interested in the resources discussed in this podcast?

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

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

In this episode of the PRI podcast, published on International Human Rights Day, the PRI’s Head of Social Issues is joined by Anne-Maree O’Connor, Head of Responsible Investment at the New Zealand Superannuation Fund. Anne-Maree is also 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.

In this episode, Bettina and Anne-Maree discuss the role investors can play in combatting modern slavery, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 8.7.

As Anne-Maree notes, "Freedom from slavery is a fundamental human right and a financial system cannot be sustainable if it undermines these basic human rights that we all hold so dear." 

Read the Blueprint for Mobilizing Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking here: unpri.org/blueprint-slavery-trafficking

Olivier Van Hirtum and Jaideep Singh Panwar join the PRI’s Nabylah Abo Dehman to discuss the role of cobalt in battery technology and the human rights risks associated with the sourcing of cobalt. They explore the impact of electric vehicles growth on the demand for cobalt and the key role that investors can play in pushing for the adoption of more responsible sourcing practices of cobalt.

Phil Bloomer, Executive Director of the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, joins the PRI's Felicitas Weber to discuss the the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 and it's implications for companies and investors.