Norway – Environ

1. Global developments and CSR

1.1.Developing an international framework for CSR [page 13]

Promoting human rights is directly and indirectly linked with environmental protection, climate and anti-corruption efforts. For example, the right to health can be affected by hazardous substances and air, soil and water pollution. Measures to prevent deforestation and forest degradation can safeguard the climate and at the same time promote the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities.

1.3. CSR in the Norwegian business sector [page 14]

The Business for Peace Foundation promotes business practices that contribute to sustainable development.

2. The State Duty to Protect Human Rights

2.1 The State as legislator [page 18]

In 2014, a number of human rights were also enshrined in the Norwegian Constitution. The duty of business enterprises to respect human rights is set out in Norwegian legislation, for example in the Working Environment Act,… and the Environmental Information Act. In addition there are acts regulating other areas that may have consequences for human rights, such as the Nature Diversity Act, the Pollution Control Act and the Greenhouse Gas Emission Trading Act. These are intended to contribute to a stable climate and a healthy environment, and to help safeguard the right to health.

3. The Corporate responsibility to respect human rights

3.2 Responsible Business Conduct [pages 31-32]

The 13th principle clarifies what companies’ responsibility to respect human rights involves:

An enterprise may cause or contribute to adverse human rights impacts if for example …the living conditions of the local community that are directly affected by the company’s operations decline without prior explanation from or dialogue with the relevant parties, including the local authorities. Impacts on the climate and the environment resulting from the enterprise’s activities, for example through land use, exploitation of natural resources, greenhouse gas emissions or releases of hazardous substances, may also have adverse impacts on a broader range of human rights, such as minority and indigenous people’s rights or the right to life, health, food, water or adequate housing. If a company is responsible for such impacts, it is also responsible for addressing them.