Towards Equity by Rachel Castillo

For the last four years, the EU Comisssion, Parliament and Council of member states have negotiated about the ‘Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.’ And this process is still ongoing.

This law should establish the company’s responsibility to respect human rights and the environment. In order to meet this responsibility, companies should be required to exercise Human Rights Due Diligence along their entire corporate structure and supply chains.

Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) is a systematic process used by businesses to identify, prevent, and mitigate potential human rights impacts associated with their operations, including those related to the environment. It involves assessing risks such as environmental degradation, pollution, and climate change impacts on communities. By integrating environmental considerations into decision-making processes and taking measures to minimize negative environmental effects, HRDD helps companies fulfill their responsibility to respect human rights, promote sustainable development, and contribute to a healthier planet.

Companies sometimes create a transformation plan to make sure they're respecting human rights. This plan helps them review their actions and make improvements where needed. This can lead to changes in the way a company does business, which is personally existing to me. I like the idea of companies caring about more than just making money. It means they're trying to balance making money with caring about people, the environment, culture, and society. And most importantly, it can lead to more happiness and satisfaction for everyone.

In the meantime, since this law is being negotiated. My personal opinion is that an increasing awareness is essential. As we grow in awareness, we develop a deeper understanding of others' experiences, emotions, and needs. This understanding nurtures empathy and compassion, encouraging us to treat each other with greater respect and care. With this increased awareness, we also recognize our responsibility for the well-being of those around us, realizing the impact of our actions on them and the world. This sense of responsibility motivates us to interact with others in a considerate manner, always taking into account their welfare and interests. I believe that this will lead to a long term change which is not so dependent on external laws and regulations.