UN expert warns Earth’s ‘life support system’ is being destroyed by global business paradigm

The UN unbiased expert on human rights and the setting on Wednesday known as for an pressing and radical shift in how business and the global financial system operates to forestall irreversible injury to Earth’s life support system and safeguard human rights.

In a hard-hitting report back to the Human Rights Council, Special Rapporteur David Boyd underscored that present business practices, notably giant coporations, pose a extreme risk to the planet’s ecological integrity.

‘Colossal impacts’ of the ultrarich

Boyd emphasised the “colossal impacts” on pure sources, that are being consumed six occasions quicker than the planet can maintain.

“Led by the ultrarich, with their non-public jets, yachts, huge mansions, house journey and hyperconsumptive existence, humanity is exceeding Earth’s carrying capability,” the report said in stark language, singling out the ecological footprint of the world’s most developed nations.

“If everybody consumed like the typical American, we would wish one other 4 Earths to provide the sources and take in the wastes,” it added.

Profound penalties

“We are sabotaging Earth’s life support system, with profound penalties for human rights,” he warned.

He added that States have did not adequately regulate, monitor, forestall and punish companies for his or her abuses of the local weather, setting and human rights.

“The scenario is additional exacerbated as States usually encourage, allow and subsidize harmful business actions.”

The Human Rights Council-appointed unbiased expert highlighted a number of the most harmful impacts of business enterprises on the suitable to a clear, wholesome and sustainable setting.

Among them are so-called “greenwashing”, the undermining of scientific reality, enabling corruption and the usage of lawsuits to silence debate and intimidate critics. The impacts are documented in a coverage temporary supplementing Boyd’s report.

“All companies are accountable for respecting human rights, together with the suitable to a wholesome setting,” he mentioned, stressing States’ responsibility to guard human rights from precise and potential hurt that companies might trigger, and their obligation to carry companies accountable.

A paradox

Boyd additionally highlighted a paradox confronting the worldwide group.

He cited the crucial of decreasing the ecological footprint to sluggish local weather change whereas additionally acknowledging the need for elevated power and materials use and availability within the Global South.

This, he asserted, is essential for attaining a snug lifestyle and making certain the complete enjoyment of human rights, calling on the developed world to spearhead efforts.

“Wealthy States should take the lead in decreasing their footprints and financing sustainable and equitable progress within the global South.”

Prioritise advantages, not earnings

The unbiased expert offered a number of suggestions to realize ecological sustainability, together with a shift away from measuring Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which places a financial worth on all financial exercise as the only indicator of progress.

He additionally known as for human rights due diligence laws, the adoption of rights-based local weather and environmental legal guidelines, imposing accountability on polluters and fostering new business paradigms which prioritize societal advantages over shareholder earnings.

“Paradoxically, companies have a essential function in supporting society’s quest for a simply and sustainable future. Therefore, we have to promote good practices and require all companies to shift to a paradigm that places folks and the planet earlier than revenue,” Boyd mentioned.

Special Rapporteurs will not be UN employees and are unbiased of any authorities or group. They serve of their particular person capability and obtain no wage for his or her work.