UN Responsible Investment Program publishes human rights benchmark for investors

On August 30, 2022, the United Nations’ (“UN”) Principles for Responsible Investment  (“PRI”) published a document identifying 18 methodologies for human rights benchmarks, aimed at assisting institutional investors in evaluating the human rights performance of investee companies.

The human rights benchmark data released by PRI encompasses 11 sectors and 24 industry groups. Each methodology takes into consideration numerous parameters, that range from gender and racial equality to freedom of speech, privacy and the battle against slave and child labor.

According to the PRI, the investors’ responsibility to act upon human rights when carrying out investments is formalized in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (“UNGPs”).

Each methodology described in the document brings the context and objective of the study, methodological approach, scope of the sector, scope of company operations, geographical coverage and focus points.

Demarest’s ESG team is available to provide further clarifications that may be necessary.