Climate Change as a Business and Human Rights Issue: A Proposal for a Moral Typology

Kristian Høyer Toft

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

211 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

To explore the emerging and contested issue of business and human rights in the area of climate change, this article provides a critical discussion from the viewpoint of moral philosophy. A novel typology of businesses’ human rights duties (‘duty’ is considered synonymous with ‘responsibility’ here) is proposed. It claims that duties are both forward- and backward-looking. Cases of human rights litigation seeking remedy for climate-related harms are backward-looking, and duties should be determined on the basis of proportion of historical emissions, culpable knowledge and counter-acts to abate climate harms. Businesses’ forward-looking duties, however, depend on their power, privilege, interest and collective abilities. The typology is then assessed against the background of recent legal principles and instruments. It is concluded that moral duties of business reach beyond mere respect for human rights and national jurisdictions in the context of climate change.
Original languageEnglish
JournalBusiness and Human Rights Journal
Volume5
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)1-27
Number of pages27
ISSN2057-0198
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2020

Keywords

  • Climate justice
  • Corporate duties
  • Corporate citizenship
  • Historical responsibility

Cite this