Human Rights in the Context of Climate Change: Emerging investment-related responsibilities in law and policy

Claire Methven O'Brien; Nelson Goodnews Ologhadien

doi:10.4337/9781035310098.00010

Human Rights in the Context of Climate Change: Emerging investment-related responsibilities in law and policy

Claire Methven O'Brien
, Nelson Goodnews Ologhadien

Dundee Law School

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review

Abstract

This chapter examines the implications of human rights standards for investment activity in the context of climate change. It explores three key domains: the responsibility of businesses and investors for the human rights impacts of climate change, the role of climate change laws in regulating business and investment activities, and the ‘greening’ of human rights norms. These areas intersect to shape the responsibilities of investors in climate change mitigation. The chapter maps the evolution of these norms and their interaction, highlighting how they inform investment-related responsibilities, and delves into the implications of these evolving standards for investors. By examining these dimensions, the chapter provides insights into the emerging duties of investors within the framework of human rights and climate change.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Human Rights and Investment Law for Climate Change
Subtitle of host publication	Trends and Prospects
Editors	Beatriz Martinez Romera, Alessandro Monti, Linnéa Nordlander, Jens Elo Rytter
Publisher	Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd.
Chapter	4
Pages	47–69
Number of pages	22
ISBN (Print)	9781035310081
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035310098.00010
Publication status	Published - 21 Oct 2025
Event	EnAct Conference: Human Rights and Investment Law for Climate Change: Trends and Prospects - Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark Duration: 20 Mar 2023 → 21 Mar 2023 https://jura.ku.dk/cilg/calendar/2023/enact-conference-human-rights-and-investment-law-for-climate-change/

Conference

Conference	EnAct Conference: Human Rights and Investment Law for Climate Change: Trends and Prospects
Country/Territory	Denmark
City	Copenhagen
Period	20/03/23 → 21/03/23
Internet address	https://jura.ku.dk/cilg/calendar/2023/enact-conference-human-rights-and-investment-law-for-climate-change/

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG 13 Climate Action

Keywords

Business and human rights
Corporate social responsibility
Human rights law
Investment law
Climate change law
Climate change mitigation

Access to Document

10.4337/9781035310098.00010

https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/human-rights-and-investment-law-for-climate-change-9781035310081.html?srsltid=AfmBOorbiyvoogbxPkW9t5t-eRc2io_w-628riFmma63FTNIFPAu9U7B

Embargoed Document

Author Accepted Manuscript
Accepted author manuscript, 515 KB
Licence: CC BY-NC-ND
Embargo ends: 21/10/2026 00:00 BST

Cite this

Methven O'Brien, C., & Ologhadien, N. G. (2025). Human Rights in the Context of Climate Change: Emerging investment-related responsibilities in law and policy. In B. Martinez Romera, A. Monti, L. Nordlander, & J. E. Rytter (Eds.), Human Rights and Investment Law for Climate Change: Trends and Prospects (pp. 47–69). Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd.. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035310098.00010

Methven O'Brien, Claire ; Ologhadien, Nelson Goodnews. / Human Rights in the Context of Climate Change : Emerging investment-related responsibilities in law and policy. Human Rights and Investment Law for Climate Change: Trends and Prospects. editor / Beatriz Martinez Romera ; Alessandro Monti ; Linnéa Nordlander ; Jens Elo Rytter. Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd., 2025. pp. 47–69

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abstract = "This chapter examines the implications of human rights standards for investment activity in the context of climate change. It explores three key domains: the responsibility of businesses and investors for the human rights impacts of climate change, the role of climate change laws in regulating business and investment activities, and the {\textquoteleft}greening{\textquoteright} of human rights norms. These areas intersect to shape the responsibilities of investors in climate change mitigation. The chapter maps the evolution of these norms and their interaction, highlighting how they inform investment-related responsibilities, and delves into the implications of these evolving standards for investors. By examining these dimensions, the chapter provides insights into the emerging duties of investors within the framework of human rights and climate change.",

keywords = "Business and human rights, Corporate social responsibility, Human rights law, Investment law, Climate change law, Climate change mitigation",

author = "\{Methven O'Brien\}, Claire and Ologhadien, \{Nelson Goodnews\}",

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booktitle = "Human Rights and Investment Law for Climate Change",

publisher = "Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd.",

address = "United Kingdom",

note = "EnAct Conference: Human Rights and Investment Law for Climate Change: Trends and Prospects ; Conference date: 20-03-2023 Through 21-03-2023",

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Methven O'Brien, C & Ologhadien, NG 2025, Human Rights in the Context of Climate Change: Emerging investment-related responsibilities in law and policy. in B Martinez Romera, A Monti, L Nordlander & JE Rytter (eds), Human Rights and Investment Law for Climate Change: Trends and Prospects. Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd., pp. 47–69, EnAct Conference: Human Rights and Investment Law for Climate Change: Trends and Prospects, Copenhagen, Denmark, 20/03/23. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035310098.00010

Human Rights in the Context of Climate Change: Emerging investment-related responsibilities in law and policy. / Methven O'Brien, Claire; Ologhadien, Nelson Goodnews.
Human Rights and Investment Law for Climate Change: Trends and Prospects. ed. / Beatriz Martinez Romera; Alessandro Monti; Linnéa Nordlander; Jens Elo Rytter. Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd., 2025. p. 47–69.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review

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N2 - This chapter examines the implications of human rights standards for investment activity in the context of climate change. It explores three key domains: the responsibility of businesses and investors for the human rights impacts of climate change, the role of climate change laws in regulating business and investment activities, and the ‘greening’ of human rights norms. These areas intersect to shape the responsibilities of investors in climate change mitigation. The chapter maps the evolution of these norms and their interaction, highlighting how they inform investment-related responsibilities, and delves into the implications of these evolving standards for investors. By examining these dimensions, the chapter provides insights into the emerging duties of investors within the framework of human rights and climate change.

AB - This chapter examines the implications of human rights standards for investment activity in the context of climate change. It explores three key domains: the responsibility of businesses and investors for the human rights impacts of climate change, the role of climate change laws in regulating business and investment activities, and the ‘greening’ of human rights norms. These areas intersect to shape the responsibilities of investors in climate change mitigation. The chapter maps the evolution of these norms and their interaction, highlighting how they inform investment-related responsibilities, and delves into the implications of these evolving standards for investors. By examining these dimensions, the chapter provides insights into the emerging duties of investors within the framework of human rights and climate change.

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KW - Corporate social responsibility

KW - Human rights law

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KW - Climate change law

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BT - Human Rights and Investment Law for Climate Change

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Y2 - 20 March 2023 through 21 March 2023

ER -

Human Rights in the Context of Climate Change: Emerging investment-related responsibilities in law and policy

Abstract

Conference

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

Embargoed Document

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Cite this