Responsible business and human rights

Responsible business and human rights—content

Content on responsible business and human rights in this subtopic includes the following Practice Notes, Checklists and Precedents:

Corporate responsibility and environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG)

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ESG—new starter guide—which provides practitioners new to environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues with an overview of what ESG is, how it has developed and the key drivers and legislation behind it. It provides key practical tips useful to practitioners talking to clients about ESG implementation; whether for an ESG strategy generally or focussing on specific aspects of the E, S and G
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ESG and sustainability—biodiversity and nature-related risks—which provides guidance on biodiversity and business and why this area is rising up the corporate agenda, alongside climate change. It provides details on a natural capital approach, nature-based solutions (NbS) and how a whole value chain approach is relevant. The Practice Note also provides information on the business risks and opportunities associated with biodiversity loss, as well as details on future reporting frameworks such as the Taskforce on nature-related Financial Disclosure (TNFD), Science-Based Targets (SBTs) for Nature (SBTN) and any requirements stemming

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Latest Environment News

Environment weekly highlights—24 July 2025

This week's edition of Environment weekly highlights includes: news analyses on the UK's Modern Industrial Strategy 2025, Commons progress with the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and Lords amendments, the draft Finance Bill 2026, the Supreme Court's approach to public interest exemptions under FIA 2000, a Market Insights Trend report on trends in sustainability disclosures in corporate reporting and the Inter- American Court of Human Rights Advisory Opinion OC-32/25 of 29 May 2025. In addition this week, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published responses to three consultations on proposed expansions of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS), the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced plans to halve sewage pollution from water companies by 2030, the Independent Water Commission has published its final report on water sector regulatory reform and the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has confirmed it will conclude its investigation into combined sewer overflow (CSO) regulation.

Defra publishes principles for identifying compensatory MPAs linked to offshore wind developments

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a policy paper outlining principles for identifying and selecting compensatory marine protected areas (MPAs) to provide strategic compensation for the likely environmental effects of certain offshore wind developments on seabed habitats. The principles apply to Secretary of State waters, including offshore areas around Northern Ireland—though no compensatory MPAs will be proposed there. The designation process will follow six stages: data collation, options development, advice drafting, public consultation, ministerial designation and site management. The process will also be guided by ecological, policy, social and economic factors, with decisions informed by evidence and stakeholder engagement. Designation options include extending the boundaries of existing MPAs, adding new features within existing sites or designating new MPAs.

ICJ publishes advisory opinion on States’ climate change obligations

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has published its advisory opinion on the obligations of States in respect of climate change. The ICJ unanimously held that climate change treaties, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement, impose binding obligations on States parties to protect the climate system and the broader environment from anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. It further concluded that under international human rights law, States must respect and ensure the effective enjoyment of human rights by taking necessary measures to safeguard the climate and environment. The ICJ emphasised that any breach of these obligations by a State constitutes an internationally wrongful act that entails State responsibility. The responsible State remains under a continuing duty to fulfil the breached obligation. Legal consequences of such wrongful acts may include: (a) cessation of the wrongful actions or omissions, if ongoing; (b) provision of assurances and guarantees of non-repetition of wrongful actions or omissions, if required by the circumstances; and (c) full reparation to affected States through restitution, compensation or satisfaction, provided that the general conditions of the law of State responsibility are met.

Defra publishes policy paper on NCEA programme

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a policy paper outlining the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) programme. The policy paper details the purpose of the NCEA which is to survey England’s land, freshwater and coastal ecosystems and produce a baseline assessment of the country’s natural assets by 2029. The NCEA is a science innovation and transformation programme that supports the government’s wider goal of restoring and enhancing the environment. In addition to the baseline, the NCEA is investing in Defra’s long-term environmental monitoring capabilities to enable the adoption of a natural capital approach to policy and decision-making. The paper also sets out the key objectives underpinning this work and highlights the strategic partnerships formed to support delivery of the programme.