Thriving individuals, resilient communities and equitable societies are essential to tackling climate change, reversing biodiversity loss and reducing pollution. These pillars of human dignity are fundamental to building sustainable economies throughout the globe.
There are many ways that financial institutions can contribute to the long-term promotion of human rights, including aligning policies, processes and practices with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), integrating social and human rights considerations into strategy, and establishing processes and practices to identify, prevent, mitigate, and remediate negative impacts on social and human rights in their portfolios.
UNEP FI is committed to exploring the connection between human rights and financial sector practices, particularly in the context of increasing environmental and social challenges. Through frameworks such as the Principles for Responsible Banking and the Principles for Sustainable Insurance, UNEP FI supports members to integrate human rights into their strategies and practices, helping them manage associated risks, unlock new opportunities, and enhance long-term impact through a human-rights led approach.
Resources and opportunities
To help financial institutions align with international human rights standards and integrate human rights into their decision-making processes, UNEP FI has developed a Human Rights Toolkit. With tailored advice across specific industry sectors and geographies, it helps businesses understand the unique challenges they face when it comes to human rights and take meaningful action.
Explore the Human Rights Toolkit
For UNEP FI members
UNEP FI members are invited to join the Human Rights Community of Practice, a forum for discussion and peer learning on human rights-related topics. The group also contributes to the development of sustainable finance and human rights resources.
For more information on UNEP FI’s human rights work, please contact us.