Business, Human Rights and the Environment

Hosted by NOVA Centre on Business, Human Rights and the Environment

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Jun 2026

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This is the Podcast of the NOVA Centre on Business, Human Rights and the Environment. The main aim of this Centre is to promote multidisciplinary research aiming at fostering responsible and sustainable business conduct in Portugal, within Europe and beyond.

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52 recent

June 6, 202627 min

Ep. 46 Swiss Legislative Proposal on Mandatory Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence

Guests: Nicolas Bueno & Anina Dalbert Host: Claire Bright Coordination and editing: Gabriel AraújoDate: June 2026 In April 2026, the Swiss Government published a counterproposal to the new Responsible Business Initiative, launched in January 2025. The proposal would introduce a Swiss mandatory due diligence framework broadly aligned with evolving EU requirements. It is now open to public consultation until the begining of July 2026. In this episode, our Director, Claire Bright, speaks with Prof. Dr. Nicolas Bueno and Anina Dalbert of Public Eye to unpack the proposal’s key features, including the scope of companies covered, the reach of the due diligence obligations, and the enforcement mechanisms. They also discuss the role of a supervisory authority and, notably, the proposed civil liability regime.

May 24, 202632 min

Ep. 45 — The Yves Rocher Case and its Implications for the French Duty of Vigilance Law and Beyond

Guests: Clara Gerard Rodriguez & Céline da Graça PiresHost: Claire BrightCoordination and editing: Claire Bright & MariaKaizelerDate: May 2026Summary:What lessons can be drawn from the Yves Rocher case for the French Duty of Vigilance Law and, more broadly, for human rights due diligence?In March 2026, the Tribunal Judiciaire de Paris delivered the long-awaited judgment in the Yves Rocher case, a landmark decision with significant implications for corporate accountability and human rights due diligence across global value chains. In this episode, our Director, Claire Bright, speaks with Clara Gerard Rodriguez, corporate accountability lawyer at the Paris Bar, and Céline da Graça Pires, BHR expert and Research Associate at NOVA BHRE, to unpack the case’s key lessons: from the characterization of the Duty of Vigilance Law as an overriding mandatory provision, to the role of risk mapping and the conditions for establishing civil liability, as well as the broader implications of the case.

May 6, 202623 min

Ep. 44 — FPIC in Indigenous Territories: Challenges and Lessons for Extractive Industries

Guests: Joan Carling & Monica NdoenHost: Malindi AssubujiCoordination and editing: Malindi Assubuji & Maria Kaizeler Date: April 2026Summary: In this episode we explore the role of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) in the context of extractive industries operating on Indigenous territories. The discussion examines FPIC as both a process and a collective decision grounded in the right to self-determination, highlights the challenges companies face in implementation, and addresses the power imbalances between corporations, states, and Indigenous peoples. The discussion also reflects on the risks of “tick-box” approaches, the importance of culturally appropriate engagement, and the need for stronger accountability mechanisms to ensure respect for Indigenous rights.

April 14, 202644 min

Ep. 43 — Climate Justice in Court: The Pakistan and Pari Island Cases

Guests: Clara Gonzales & Annabell BrüggemannHost: Gabriel AraújoCoordination and editing: Gabriel Araújo & Maria KaizelerDate: March 2026How do you seek justice when you are severely affected by extreme climate events, when you have lost everything, yet have contributed little or nothing to global warming? This is the question we explore in this episode.We look at the Pakistan Climate Cost Case and the Pari Island Case, two strategic litigation initiatives supported by ECCHR. Together with our guests, we discuss how companies may be held accountable for their contribution to climate change, the challenges of linking emissions to specific harms, and recent developments in how courts are addressing transnational climate damage. We also explore the role of climate science and, more broadly, how climate litigation can contribute to advancing climate justice and strengthening corporate accountability.

April 1, 202632 min

Ep. 42 — Corporate Sustainability in the Client-Supplier Relationship

Guests: Eva Meunier & Clémence CalzaroniHost: Claire BrightCoordination and editing: Gabriel Araújo & Maria KaizelerDate: March 2026Summary:In this episode, we explore the findings of the 2025 Study on 'CSR in the Client-Supplier Relationship: Innovation and Resilience!', conducted by ORSE, PwC France and Maghreb, and Bpifrance. Together with Clémence Calzaroni and Eva Meunier from PwC France, our Director, Claire Bright explore how companies, and particularly SMEs, are integrating social and environmental considerations into their purchasing practices, and what this means in practice for suppliers. We also discuss how buyer–supplier relationships are evolving, the challenges companies face when implementing responsible procurement, and how regulatory frameworks, including the French Duty of Vigilance law, are shaping these developments.

March 23, 202652 min

Ep. 41 — Lessons Learned from HREDD Practices in India and Germany

Guests: Daniel Schönfelder & Rishi SinghCoordination and editing: Malindi Assubuji and Maria KaizelerDate: February 2026Summary:This episode explores lessons learned from the implementation of Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) practices in India and Germany. It examines how regulatory frameworks and voluntary standards shape corporate behaviour, compares practical challenges across different legal and economic contexts, and reflects on what effective due diligence looks like in practice. The discussion highlights key obstacles companies face, the role of local stakeholders, and the broader implications for strengthening responsible business conduct globally.

February 25, 202646 min

Ep. 40: Human Rights and Competitiveness: Reframing the Business Case for Human Rights

Guests: Nicola Bonucci, Katarina Nedeljkovic & Tigran KarapetyaHost: Claire BrightCoordination and editing: Malindi Assubuji and Maria KaizelerDate: February 2026Summary: This episode explores the findings of the recent Council of Europe–commissioned study Human Rights and Competitiveness: Reframing the Business Case for Human Rights. It examines the distinction between positive and negative business cases, weighs the short-term costs against the long-term value of human rights due diligence, assesses the economic risks of inaction, and considers the impact of mandatory due diligence laws, as well as the Council of Europe’s role in fostering a more sustainable and competitive business environment.

January 13, 202629 min

Ep. 39: Responsible Mining in Practice

Guests: Rebecca Burton & Jim WormingtonHost: Claire Bright and Malindi AssubujiCoordination and editing: Malindi Assubuji and Maria KaizelerRecorded: December 2025In this discussion, we explore what responsible mining really looks like on the ground and what it takes to get there. Rebecca Burton and Jim Wormington share insights on the realities companies face, the role of independent standards, and why credible third-party audits matter.Topics include:What responsible mining looks like in practice Key obstacles companies and the industry faceIRMA’s approach to responsible miningHow third-party audits benefit companies and the wider sectorThe possible impacts of mandatory due diligence lawsWhat gives hope for the future of responsible mining

November 24, 202530 min

Ep. 38: Human Rights vs Competitiveness

The episode features:🔹 Claire Bright (Founder & Director, NOVA BHRE) 🔹 Olena Uvarova, Human Rights and Rule of Law Specialist, UNDP 🔹 Yann Wyss, Global Head, Social Impact & Human Rights, NestléTogether, they explore key insights from the recent UNDP study “Human Rights vs. Competitiveness – A False Dilemma?”, including: ✅ What “human rights performance” really means in practice✅ Whether evidence of a link between human rights performance and financial results matters for companies ✅ Which financial indicators show correlation between human rights and financial performance ✅ How companies interpret these findings internally ✅ Whether strong human rights performance can still coexist with financial challenges due to HRDD investmentsThis discussion offers valuable perspectives for businesses, policymakers, and all those interested in responsible and competitive corporate practice.

July 10, 202537 min

Ep. 37: Perspectives on the Omnibus Proposal: Lessons from Norway and Germany

In this episode of the 'Perspectives on the Omnibus Proposal' series from the NOVA BHRE podcast, Claire Bright speaks with Kristel Tonstad, Policy Director at the Norwegian National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct, and Daniel Schönfelder, Legal Advisor at the Responsible Contracting Project and expert in Business and Human Rights. Together, they explore key lessons from the German and Norwegian due diligence laws. Daniel reflects on the strengths of the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, while also highlighting areas where future policymakers could build on and improve the German model. Kristel examines the Norwegian Transparency Act, emphasising its positive impact on corporate behaviour, particularly through its risk-based approach to due diligence. The episode concludes with both guests offering their views on whether the challenges identified in national frameworks have been addressed in the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, and presenting their recommendations—grounded in national experience—for the ongoing Omnibus Package discussions.