Why corporate responsibility and a human rights approach are essential for a just energy transition

THE climate emergency poses a huge threat to human rights. In order to address this emergency, a transition to an economy in harmony with the planet is an urgent necessity.

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As part of this transition, and for the energy transition to contribute to the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals and human rights, the renewable energy sector must also be sustainable in itself.

Recognising climate change as a human rights issue means that integrating human rights-based principles into climate change policies and projects may lead to more holistic, sustainable outcomes.

The UN Human Rights Council stated in a resolution on climate change that “human rights obligations, standards and principles have the potential to inform and strengthen international, regional and national policymaking in the area of climate change, promoting policy coherence, legitimacy and sustainable outcomes.

Therefore, addressing the climate crisis by employing a rights-based approach in this transition to renewable energy is crucial.

The energy transition and human right imperative

With growing political support for clean energy and the increasing volume of investment into renewable energy projects on a global scale, the intersection between human rights and the renewable sector is becoming increasingly critical.

Having worked in the human rights sector for over 15 years, I am constantly surprised by the lack of integration of human rights-based principles in environmental policies, projects and processes – an area that is quite advanced in the socioeconomic domain.