The Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC) is delighted to invite you to our Climate Change, Business and Human Rights Roundtable. This event will take place from 13:30 - 15:30 UK time (GMT) in room B55, Law and Social Sciences (LASS) building on Tuesday, 21st of March 2023.
Human-induced climate change has become one of the most pressing issues of our time, and businesses, such as those in the fossil fuel and transportation industries, significantly contribute to it. However, the effects of climate change are not limited to the environment; it also threatens the enjoyment of a wide range of human rights, including the right to life, respect for private and family life, health, food and an adequate standard of living. In fulfilling their obligation to respect human rights and ensure that their operations do not lead to human rights violations, businesses therefore have an essential role to play in addressing climate change.
This expert roundtable will explore the link between business operations, climate change and human rights, the responsibilities of businesses in relation to climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as accountability mechanisms (and barriers to accountability) for corporate failure to take adequate climate action.
All welcome.
Programme
The event will be chaired by Klara Polackova Van de Ploeg, Assistant Professor in Law at the University of Nottingham and Head of the HRLC's Business, Trade and Human Rights Unit.
1:30 -1:40pm - Introduction by Dr Klara Polackova Van de Ploeg
1:40 - 2:40pm - Expert Presentations
- 'A view from the Working Group on Business and Human Rights', Professor Robert McCorquodale, United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights.
- 'Mapping Climate Change Litigation against Corporations', Dr Ekaterina Aristova, Bonavero Institute of Human Rights, University of Oxford.
- TBC, Dr Monika Feigerlová, Centre for Climate Change Law and Sustainability, Czech Academy of Sciences.
- 'Imported deforestation: Challenges on the regulation of deforestation-free products', Dr Maria Augusta Paim, School of Law, University of Nottingham
- 'Cascading disasters and marginalised voices: meaningful engagement in conflict zones', Dr Lara Bianchi, University of Nottingham Business School.
2:40pm - 3:30pm - Discussion
The roundtable will be followed by an Afternoon Tea, served in the Atrium of the Law and Social Sciences Building from 3:30-4:00pm.