Corporate Due Diligence in Human Rights and Environmental Protection: Navigating the Regulatory Frameworks

Abstract

Corporations have immense latitude to conduct business all over the world, but the standards that hold them accountable and responsible have not kept up. Complex corporate structures and supply chains allow them to reduce expenses while increasing profits by operating in countries where laws are not followed and human rights are not respected. Half of Europe's largest corporations have been linked to negative human rights and environmental effects all over the world, and global forced labor earns $150 billion in annual earnings. Corporations such as clothing firms, food manufacturers, electronics manufacturers, and mining companies are among those benefiting. It is past time for the government to update the laws to ensure tha companies everywhere respect human rights and the environment. The solution is to make human rights due diligence a legal requirement.[