Supply chain justice within environmental law

Fighting for justice across global supply chains

From the timber in our homes to the food on our plates, many products are linked to hidden environmental harm and human rights abuses.

We work to strengthen laws and hold companies accountable, fostering supply chains that uphold human dignity, protect our communities, and safeguard nature.

Why do we need to transform supply chains?

Because global markets should not hinge on exploitation and harm. The laws governing supply chains are crucial in ensuring that trade respects human rights and nature.

Someone is paying the price

Whether it’s fast fashion, chocolate, or cheap seafood, our products often come at a hidden cost. Many of today’s global business relationships exist because their true costs are externalised onto the surrounding environment and communities.

Unjust supply chains exploit ecosystems for global demand, driving environmental destruction and leaving people to suffer the consequences of pollution, land loss, threats to their health and livelihoods, financial and economic ruin, and more. Global markets should not hinge on harm.

No community is disposable

Every person has the right to health, safety, and dignity regardless of where they sit in a supply chain. Many of today’s global business relationships mirror the patterns of extraction and exploitation from centuries ago when global trade went hand in hand with violent conquest and colonialism.

Entire communities still bear the environmental and social costs of production while enjoying few benefits. Often described as “sacrifice zones”, these places show what happens when economic interests are prioritised over people and nature.

Human rights and environmentalism go hand in hand

When ecosystems are exploited and damaged, communities lose access to the natural resources they depend on, as well as the cultural identities and heritage connected to the land. Protecting nature means protecting human rights. Companies should be obliged to ensure they are not rewarding or facilitating these impacts through their business relationships.

Companies must be held accountable

Businesses and investors profiting from destructive supply chains are responsible for the impacts linked to the products they source and sell. Strong supply chain laws, mandatory due diligence, and effective enforcement can help prevent environmental harm and human rights abuses globally, while ensuring companies and financiers are held accountable when they cause or finance harm through their business relationships.

Our economic security depends on protecting nature

An economic model that is dependent on a stable climate, free ecosystem services, and abundant biodiversity while simultaneously exploiting, harming and damaging the environment cannot survive forever. This is now mainstream economic consensus, yet few businesses are willing to bear the cost of voluntarily cleaning up their supply chains. Clear and ambitious laws are necessary to drive this essential transformation.