At the same time, from November 24 to 26, the 14th Business and Human Rights Forum will take place in Geneva, to which our Responsible Value Chain experts will attend. Since its first edition in 2012, the annual UN Forum on Business and Human Rights has brought together governments, businesses, civil society and academia from around the world. The Forum is centred on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). These serve as the authoritative global framework for States and business responsibilities to assess and address human rights, in their operations and value chain. The Forum provides a unique multi-stakeholder platform where key trends and challenges in implementing and advancing the UNGPs are discussed.
The Business and Human Rights Forum confirms an important fact: the urgency of transparency and proactive engagement in value chains was never about compliance. It’s about building a stronger, sustainable economy in the long term, with respect for the people and ecosystems on which we depend. The UNGPs and related guidelines, such as the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, offer a strategic lens for contributing to a sustainable economy while strengthening value chains, improving decision-making, and unlocking long-term value.
Rather than waiting on regulatory requirements, companies can use these principles to build systems that reflect their own business priorities and deliver tangible benefits. From operational efficiency to stronger supplier partnerships. Here’s why working with your value chain remains a necessity and opportunity for future-proofing your business.
The biggest impacts, risks and opportunities for your company are often found in your value chain, beyond your own operations. At the same time, value chains often remain a blind spot. Yet they are where the greatest leverage lies for reducing negative impacts, improving social outcomes, and achieving long-term sustainability goals. Understanding your upstream and downstream partners unlocks the data and relationships needed to manage challenges and improve impacts effectively. For example, read in this case study how Stedin invests in value chain responsibility to identify supply chain risks and circular opportunities.
Businesses are operating in an increasingly volatile landscape, with regular political, economic and environmental shocks affecting the upstream value chain. In such cases, transparent value chains and strong supplier relationships serve as your safety net. Companies that understand their value chains can identify risks more effectively, respond more quickly to crises, and maintain business continuity when disruptions occur.
Working closely with suppliers doesn’t just mitigate risk; it can improve efficiency and drive innovation. From developing new materials to reducing waste in logistics, value chain responsibility can translate directly into cost savings and new business opportunities. For example, as a recent report by UNDP and supported by the World Benchmarking Alliance found, companies that improved their human rights practices saw a statistically significant boost in operational efficiency, showing that collaboration and responsible practices can pay off in tangible financial gains.
We help businesses navigate the complexity of sustainability regulations without losing sight of their core values and business goals. While due diligence may seem daunting, there are still no-regret actions you can take. These actions will allow you to reap the benefits of understanding your value chain. Our team combines strategic, legal and implementation expertise to help you assess your value chain for risks of negative impacts and address them, improving your resilience and long-term value creation.
Get in touch with one of our experts to learn more about what we can do for your business.
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