As climate disruption, biodiversity loss, pollution, and toxic exposure intensify worldwide, the need for stronger corporate accountability is more urgent than ever. Despite growing international human rights and environmental frameworks, transnational corporations often enjoy stronger protections under trade and investment agreements than the communities affected by their operations.
The FIAN International, with the support of Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung and contributions from Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), Franciscans International, International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR-Net), and International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) “Time to Act: Securing a sustainable future through corporate accountability,” calls for translating the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment (RtHE) into enforceable obligations for both states and corporations. It highlights the importance of the UN Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights to regulate corporate conduct, prevent environmental harm, and ensure access to justice for affected communities.
Read the briefing: English, French, and Spanish
Published on March 11, 2026