New guidance and toolbox supports human rights impact assessment
The global focus on business respect for human rights and the role of business in the post 2015 sustainable development agenda has increased the need for hands-on support on how to better assess and address business related human rights impacts.
Only business that is done responsibly, with respect for human rights, will bring us closer to a sustainable future. Businesses, investors, governments, development agencies and civil society urgently need the tools to ensure this. This toolbox is intended to address that need.
Human rights impact assessments (HRIA) provide a valuable approach to assessing and evaluating the impacts of business activities on the human rights enjoyment of rights-holders, such as workers and communities.
"We now have 15 years to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals set out in the 2030 agenda. For this to happen we need investment, but not any kind of investment. Only business that is done responsibly, with respect for human rights, will bring us closer to a sustainable future. Businesses, investors, governments, development agencies and civil society urgently need the tools to ensure this. This toolbox is intended to address that need," says Allan Lerberg Jørgensen, DIHR’s Director for Human Rights and Development.
The assessment of human rights impacts of business activities is considered to be a key component of the corporate responsibility to respect, and human rights due diligence, as outlined in the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Providing comprehensive guidance
The Toolbox provides those who are involved in human rights impact assessments of business projects and activities with guidance and practical tools for conducting such assessments.
The content of the guidance and toolbox is based on the experiences of the Danish Institute for Human Rights conducting HRIAs with companies from various sectors, as well as over 25 impact assessment practitioners, company specialists, international NGOs and institutions, and others.
Answering key questions
The Toolbox is divided into five phases each containing information the purpose and content of the phase, as well as practical templates, checklists and other tools.
The guidance and toolkit provides you with guidance on key questions such as:
- What is a human rights impact assessment, and how does it differ and compliment other impact assessment (such as environmental and social assessments)?
- What are the key criteria to guide the process and content of a human rights impact assessment?
- What are the key human rights standards and principles?
- How do I identify and consult with key stakeholders, including rights-holders and duty-bearers throughout the assessment process?
- What should I consider when designing the impact assessment and developing the terms of reference?
- How should I conduct my data-collection and baseline development?
- How do I analyze my results in a human rights based way?
- What should be my mitigation measures?
- What should I consider when developing the final HRIA report?
An ongoing process
“Assessing and addressing the human rights impacts of business activities is an emerging practice. The toolbox provides support to those involved in assessments, but also provides a platform for dialogue about practice and standards on human rights and responsible business,” says Nora Götzmann, Project Manager, Human Rights and Development department.
Next steps for the toolkit will be to use it in practice, to gather and share learning on impact assessment process, impacts and reporting and to update the Toolbox based on experiences from practice.
The Danish Institute for Human Rights encourage all interested stakeholders, from companies and consultants to national human rights institutions, to get involved, by implementing and improving the Toolbox.