In this episode, Nathan Fabian, Chief Sustainable Systems Officer at the PRI, is joined by Elisabeth Andvig, Senior Investment Stewardship Manager at Norges Bank Investment Management, and Robert Lewenson, Head of Responsible Investment at Old Mutual Investment Group, to mark 15 years since the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) were endorsed.
Together, they reflect on how investor practice has evolved, the progress companies have made in embedding human rights due diligence, and the challenges that remain as investors navigate geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain disruption and the transition to a more sustainable global economy.
Overview:
15 years after the adoption of the UN Guiding Principles, human rights have become a core consideration for responsible investors. Yet implementation remains uneven, particularly when it comes to due diligence, access to remedy and adapting to an increasingly complex global environment.
This episode explores how investors can strengthen human rights stewardship, support a just transition and help ensure long-term value creation while respecting the rights of people across global supply chains.
Detailed coverage:
How investor practice has evolved
The guests reflect on how awareness of the UNGPs has grown over the past 15 years, with human rights moving from a niche sustainability issue to an increasingly integrated part of investment stewardship and corporate governance.
Human rights due diligence in practice
The conversation explores the progress companies have made in embedding due diligence processes, alongside the challenges investors face in assessing risks across large, global portfolios and complex supply chains.
A changing policy landscape
Nathan, Elisabeth and Robert discuss the impact of geopolitical fragmentation, evolving regulation and shifting global supply chains on responsible investment and human rights implementation.
Access to remedy and investor responsibility
The episode examines why access to remedy remains the least developed pillar of the UNGPs and considers how investors can use stewardship and engagement to encourage more effective corporate responses.
Human rights, inequality and the just transition
The discussion explores the relationship between human rights, economic inequality and the transition to a low-carbon economy, highlighting the importance of ensuring communities benefit alongside investors.
Looking ahead
The guests share their priorities for the next five years, from strengthening implementation and celebrating good practice to ensuring the UNGPs remain relevant in a rapidly changing investment landscape.
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction: 15 years of the UN Guiding Principles
04:48 – How human rights due diligence has evolved
11:55 – The challenges of implementation and global policy change
21:37 – Access to remedy: the forgotten pillar
31:40 – Human rights, inequality and economic inclusion
39:12 – The just transition and responsible mining
47:18 – Why long-term thinking matters for investors
53:46 – Celebrating leadership and sharing best practice
57:45 – Looking ahead: priorities for the next five years
01:01:32 – Final reflections
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