The project aims to enhance the protection of human rights and the environment with a special focus on business operations’ impact on them.

It is guided by COE Committee of Minister’s recommendations: CM/Rec(2016)3 on Human Rights and Business built on 2011 UN Guiding Principles, and CM/Rec(2022)20 on Human Rights and the protection of the environment.

Project objectives

1. Equip member states with tools to design and implement measures that enhance human rights, social rights, and environmental compliance in business operations

2. Strengthen human rights, social rights, and environmental protection within businesses processes

Expected outputs and results
  • Businesses have strengthened capacity to consider potential negative impacts (due diligence) on human rights and environment and to eliminate and/or remedy such impact
  • Member states are supported in developing/improving policies and are informed about good practices that help integrate human rights and environment considerations into business operations
  • Those affected by business’ negative impact on human rights and environment have better access to the remedies and the respective institutions (judicial and non-judicial) are better equipped to provide such remedies
Key activities
  • Pilot a knowledge platform that compiles key resources, including case law from the European Court of Human Rights, Council of Europe’s and other standards
  • Facilitate peer discussions, training, and knowledge sharing among member states to align national practices on human rights, social rights, and environmental issues in business
  • Develop/upgrade tools to help member states provide access to judicial and non-judicial remedies for victims of business-related human rights and environmental abuses
  • Conduct a comparative analysis of laws and best practices for protecting human rights and the environment in business across several member states
  • Establish an academic forum for researchers focused on human rights, the environment, and business
  • Design communication and awareness actions and simplified explanation of available remedies in selected member states
  • Support businesses and due diligence professionals in understanding human rights, social rights, and environmental standards through a dedicated knowledge platform
Key beneficiaries & stakeholders
  • Public officials and representatives of the relevant institutions of the participating states
  • Business associations, individual businesses, civil society organisations and national institutions dealing with human rights and business

Project information

  • Duration: 15 months (1 October 2024 – 31 December 2025)
  • Countries (multilateral)
  • Funding: Human Rights Trust Fund
Events
12 December 2025

Academic Forum on Human Rights and Business

Online
2 october 2025

The roundtable on Human Rights, Environment and Business: Compliance and responsible conduct as competitive advantages

Paris and Online
18 June 2025

Workshop Human Rights and Environmental Aspects in Mining: state obligations and business opportunities

Yerevan, Armenia
17 June 2025

International Conference Business and Human Rights: Corporate Social Responsibility

Yerevan, Armenia
Project news

Back The Project Hosted Human Rights and Business Academic Forum with 100+ Global Attendees

The Project Hosted Human Rights and Business Academic Forum with 100+ Global Attendees

On 12 December 2025, the Council of Europe hosted an Online Academic Forum on Business and Human Rights as part of the Human Rights and Environmentally Responsible Business Practices project. The speakers presented how academic work can strengthen policy development, inform corporate practices and drive progress at the intersection of business and human rights.

Through three thematic sessions, the forum produced valuable reflections on current standards, research trends and capacity-building tools and materials. The first session underscored the practical impact of the Council of Europe’s legal instruments and European Court of Human Rights case law in shaping corporate responsibility expectations. The second session highlighted how academic research contributes to balancing competitiveness with human rights compliance and supports the design of effective compliance and contractual tools. The third session identified training resources and academic networks for strengthening knowledge on the topic and reinforcing human rights education in the business sector.

The discussions collectively pointed to the need for continued collaboration between academia and practitioners to advance responsible business conduct. The forum reaffirmed the Council of Europe’s role in shaping the human rights and business agenda and an international platform for cooperation between policymakers, academia and businesses.

online 12 december 2025
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