Instances of abuse of force by private and public security forces in artisanal, small-scale and large-scale mining operations around the world are increasingly being reported. Companies in mineral supply chains are expected to identify such risks and take action. DCAF, ICRC and OECD have developed a number of tools and initiatives to support this.
Behind every deforestation struggle is a global supply chain. The demand for commodities in one place can lead to the loss of forest in another, particularly when forest area is converted to other land uses such as agricultural production. This column looks at how the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and related due diligence guidance can help companies understand how they can help address biodiversity challenges, amongst other environmental risks, in their business operations, supply chains and relationships.
The rapidly increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is accompanied by a number of potential risks related to human rights. Focusing on relevant areas such as the right to privacy, non-discrimination, fair trials and freedom of expression, the OECD’s Rashad Abelson looks at how OECD guidance can be applied to AI systems throughout their lifecycle and provide a framework for considering these issues holistically.
As the world begins to re-build and re-design in the wake of the pandemic, OECD's Greg Medcraft and Allan Jørgensen look at the contribution OECD instruments on responsible business conduct can make to help drive responsible climate action.
Economies in the MENA region are striving to create a business environment that attracts foreign direct investment. The OECD’s Sarah Marion Dayan throws a spotlight on what governments can do to leverage investment and support development goals.
Over recent years, the artisanal and small-scale mining sector has received unprecedented levels of interest from producing governments, to consumer-facing companies sourcing components globally, to international NGOs calling for responsible sourcing of minerals used in batteries and electric vehicles. And with good reason. Artisanal and small-scale miners supply an increasing share of the world’s production of various commodities, such as construction minerals, precious stones, gold and cobalt. The industry employs an estimated 42.6 million people globally. To help maximise the contribution of the ASM sector to local economies, the OECD and the Extractive Industries Transparency initiative work together with actors from producing nations.
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing has grown considerably and is fast becoming mainstream. Yet market participants across the board are missing the relevant, comparable ESG data they need to properly inform decisions, manage risks, measure outcomes, and align investments with sustainable, long-term value. OECD's Greg Medcraft summarises the findings in the 2020 OECD Business and Finance Outlook.
The Covid-19 pandemic has caused a global humanitarian, social and economic crisis. Poverty will rise for the first time since 1998, with hundreds of millions of jobs lost and livelihoods affected. Many of the jobs affected by the pandemic depend on investments and operations of multinational enterprises (MNEs) and their buyers and suppliers in global value chains. But foreign direct investment (FDI) is estimated to fall by at least 30% in 2020 – meaning that fewer jobs than expected have been and will be created.
OECD’s France Chain and Daisy Pelham look at the critical role corporate compliance plays in the fight against bribery and corruption in the run-up to the launch of a new OECD Study on Corporate Anti-Corruption Compliance Drivers, Mechanisms, and Ideas for Change.
In this post Shivani Kannabhiran and Rena Hinoshita from the OECD Centre for Responsible Business Conduct look at the EU’s new Farm to Fork strategy and at how the OECD-FAO Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains can help companies build resilient and sustainable supply chains.
