PLANNING & FINANCE

Planning is a critical starting point to embed human rights. So too is how a project is financed.

Investors and their expected returns will have a significant impact on whether a project or business prioritises positive social outcomes, including when governments are attracting private finance.

Click the overarching and stage-specific principles below to review the guiding questions across this stage. These questions will help you to identify the main human rights risks and opportunities and develop a tailored action plan.

Overarching
principles

All human rights standards are upheld

Everyone has the opportunity to participate and engage meaningfully

Trade unions and civil society can operate freely

All decisions are free from corruption

Environmental

stage specific
principles

The right to adequate housing is respected – including security of tenure, affordability and habitability.

Action on climate change emphasises participation and cohesion

All neighbourhoods have access to adequate infrastructure

All neighbourhoods have access to public space

All neighbourhoods have access to adequate transportation

All neighbourhoods have access to employment opportunities

Systemic and past injustices are taken into account

Environmental Impact Assessments

Environmental Impact Assessments (together with Social / Human Rights Impact Assessments) inform and drive development planning and decision-making.

Tackling climate change is essential for the fulfilment of human rights. Recognising the need for joint climate and social action, the Framework offers high-level environmental considerations but avoids details, given the abundance of existing climate and environmental frameworks, which include:

BREEAM
BREEAM Infrastructure (formerly CEEQUAL)
LEED
Passivhaus
DGNB
Envision
Circular Economy Principles
IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards
GRESB