ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, NATURAL RESOURCES & CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY
INTRODUCTION
Protecting People. Safeguarding the Environment. Promoting Responsible Governance.
Human rights, environmental protection, and responsible governance are deeply interconnected. Around the world, environmental degradation, unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, climate change, pollution, land disputes, and irresponsible business practices continue to affect the lives, health, livelihoods, cultures, and dignity of millions of people. Communities living near mining operations, extractive industries, large-scale agricultural projects, forests, rivers, and coastal areas often experience disproportionate impacts, while environmental human rights defenders frequently face intimidation, criminalisation, violence, and other forms of retaliation for protecting their communities and natural resources. At the Confederation for Democracy and Human Rights (CDDH), we believe that every person has the right to live in a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, and that governments, businesses, and other actors share responsibilities to respect, protect, and fulfil human rights while ensuring responsible stewardship of natural resources. Sustainable development cannot be achieved without environmental justice, meaningful community participation, transparency, accountability, and respect for internationally recognised human rights standards.
The Environmental Justice, Natural Resources & Corporate Accountability Programme is dedicated to promoting human rights-based approaches to environmental governance, responsible natural resource management, and corporate accountability. Guided by the principles of sustainability, participation, inclusion, transparency, accountability, equity, and respect for international human rights and environmental standards, the programme supports efforts to strengthen environmental justice, protect affected communities, and encourage responsible business conduct. Our work encompasses environmental governance, business and human rights, natural resource management, community participation, environmental and social impact monitoring, advocacy, research, policy development, documentation, protection of environmental human rights defenders, support for access to accountability mechanisms, and collaboration with specialised partners working in environmental protection, sustainable development, and responsible business practices.
The programme also promotes cooperation among communities, civil society organisations, public institutions, independent experts, academic institutions, responsible businesses, development partners, regional organisations, and international bodies to strengthen environmental governance, encourage dialogue, improve transparency, and support peaceful, rights-based solutions to environmental and resource-related challenges. By promoting environmental justice, strengthening responsible governance, supporting affected communities, and encouraging corporate accountability, the Environmental Justice, Natural Resources & Corporate Accountability Programme contributes to a future where economic development, environmental sustainability, and human rights reinforce one another, ensuring that present and future generations can live with dignity, security, and respect for both people and the planet.
OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Advancing Environmental Justice Through Rights-Based Governance and Responsible Stewardship
The Environmental Justice, Natural Resources & Corporate Accountability Programme is committed to advancing environmental justice by promoting responsible governance, protecting the rights of affected communities, encouraging sustainable natural resource management, and strengthening accountability for environmental and human rights impacts. CDDH recognises that environmental protection, economic development, and respect for human rights must be pursued together through transparent, inclusive, and accountable decision-making. Our strategic priorities are designed to strengthen community participation, reinforce environmental governance, encourage responsible business conduct, improve access to accountability mechanisms, and promote long-term environmental sustainability while protecting the rights and dignity of present and future generations.
Our priorities include:
- Promoting the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment by encouraging policies, practices, and governance systems that respect internationally recognised human rights and environmental standards.
- Supporting responsible governance of natural resources by promoting transparency, accountability, equitable benefit-sharing, sustainable management, and meaningful public participation in decisions affecting land, water, forests, minerals, energy resources, and other natural assets.
- Encouraging responsible business conduct in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) by promoting human rights due diligence, environmental responsibility, corporate accountability, ethical supply chains, and responsible investment practices.
- Strengthening the rights of communities affected by extractive industries, infrastructure projects, agricultural developments, pollution, environmental degradation, forced displacement, and other activities with environmental and social impacts by promoting participation, access to information, access to remedy, and inclusive dialogue.
- Supporting the protection of environmental human rights defenders, journalists, researchers, indigenous peoples where relevant, rural communities, women, youth, and other individuals and groups who face risks while advocating for environmental justice and sustainable resource governance.
- Promoting climate justice, environmental resilience, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development approaches that recognise the disproportionate impacts of climate change and environmental degradation on vulnerable communities.
- Integrating Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Impact (MEL), research, knowledge management, organisational learning, and evidence-based policy development into environmental and business and human rights initiatives to strengthen effectiveness, accountability, and long-term impact.
- Encouraging innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, responsible use of technology, scientific research, and strategic partnerships that improve environmental governance, strengthen corporate accountability, and promote sustainable, rights-based development.
Through these strategic priorities, CDDH seeks to transform environmental challenges into opportunities for justice, responsible governance into sustainable development, and corporate accountability into stronger protection of people, communities, and ecosystems. By combining human rights, environmental stewardship, responsible business practices, community participation, institutional learning, and an unwavering commitment to justice, the Environmental Justice, Natural Resources & Corporate Accountability Programme contributes to a future where development is inclusive, accountable, environmentally sustainable, and fully respectful of human dignity and fundamental rights.
AREAS OF ACTION
Protecting Communities. Promoting Responsible Stewardship. Advancing Environmental Justice.
The Environmental Justice, Natural Resources & Corporate Accountability Programme operates across a comprehensive range of environmental governance, business and human rights, community participation, research, advocacy, accountability, and resilience initiatives designed to strengthen the protection of people, communities, and ecosystems affected by environmental and natural resource challenges. Through rights-based approaches, evidence-informed action, trusted partnerships, and constructive engagement, CDDH contributes to more transparent, accountable, and sustainable environmental governance.
Our principal areas of action include:
Environmental Justice and Human Rights
Promoting the recognition and protection of the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment while advancing policies and practices that integrate environmental protection with the respect, protection, and fulfilment of human rights.
Natural Resource Governance
Supporting transparent, accountable, and sustainable governance of land, water, forests, minerals, energy resources, fisheries, and other natural resources by encouraging public participation, responsible stewardship, equitable benefit-sharing, and sound environmental governance.
Business and Human Rights
Promoting responsible business conduct in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) through advocacy, research, awareness-raising, human rights due diligence, responsible investment, ethical supply chains, and corporate accountability initiatives.
Community Rights and Participation
Strengthening the rights of rural communities, indigenous peoples where relevant, local populations, women, youth, and other affected groups by promoting meaningful participation, access to information, community consultation, dialogue, and access to grievance and accountability mechanisms.
Environmental Human Rights Defenders
Supporting the protection of environmental human rights defenders, journalists, researchers, lawyers, community leaders, and civil society organisations through advocacy, protection coordination, documentation, referrals, and engagement with national, regional, and international protection mechanisms.
Climate Justice and Sustainable Resilience
Promoting climate justice, climate adaptation, environmental resilience, disaster risk reduction, sustainable livelihoods, and community preparedness to strengthen resilience against climate-related and environmental challenges affecting human rights.
Research, Policy and Accountability
Conducting research, documentation, policy analysis, environmental and social impact monitoring, Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Impact (MEL), knowledge management, and evidence-based advocacy to strengthen environmental governance, improve public policy, and encourage accountability for environmental and human rights impacts.
Together, these areas of action enable CDDH to transform environmental challenges into opportunities for sustainable development, community participation into stronger governance, responsible business practices into greater accountability, and institutional learning into long-term environmental resilience. Through environmental stewardship, community leadership, strategic partnerships, responsible business engagement, evidence-informed advocacy, and continuous learning, the Environmental Justice, Natural Resources & Corporate Accountability Programme contributes to a future where human rights, environmental sustainability, responsible governance, and inclusive development advance together for the benefit of present and future generations.
OUR APPROACH
A Rights-Based, Community-Centred and Accountability-Driven Approach
The Environmental Justice, Natural Resources & Corporate Accountability Programme adopts a rightsbased, community-centred, evidence-informed, and accountability-driven approach to addressing the intersection of human rights, environmental protection, natural resource governance, and responsible business conduct. CDDH recognises that sustainable development depends upon transparent governance, meaningful community participation, responsible stewardship of natural resources, and respect for internationally recognised human rights throughout public and private decision-making. Our approach combines research, documentation, community engagement, policy dialogue, advocacy, institutional cooperation, capacity building, and continuous learning to strengthen environmental governance while promoting responsible business practices and protecting the rights of affected individuals and communities. We work within our mandate and collaborate closely with specialised environmental organisations, academic institutions, technical experts, public authorities, businesses, development partners, and civil society organisations to encourage practical, rights-based solutions.
Through this programme, we:
- Promote meaningful participation by supporting inclusive dialogue, community consultation, access to information, and transparent decision-making processes that enable affected communities to participate effectively in matters affecting their environment, livelihoods, and natural resources.
- Conduct evidence-informed research, documentation, policy analysis, and environmental and social impact monitoring that strengthen public understanding, support advocacy, and contribute to informed decision-making and accountability.
- Encourage responsible governance of natural resources by promoting transparency, ethical stewardship, equitable benefit-sharing, and accountability in the management of land, water, forests, minerals, energy resources, fisheries, and other natural assets.
- Support responsible business conduct in accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) by encouraging human rights due diligence, environmental responsibility, stakeholder engagement, responsible supply chains, and access to effective grievance and remedy mechanisms.
- Strengthen protection and support for environmental human rights defenders, community leaders, journalists, researchers, lawyers, and civil society organisations through advocacy, documentation, protection coordination, referrals, and engagement with national, regional, and international human rights mechanisms.
- Promote climate resilience, environmental sustainability, disaster risk reduction, and community preparedness by encouraging locally led adaptation strategies, environmental awareness, and collaborative approaches to emerging environmental and climate-related risks.
- Integrate Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Impact (MEL), knowledge management, organisational learning, scientific evidence, and continuous improvement into programme implementation to strengthen quality, accountability, and long-term effectiveness.
- Foster interdisciplinary cooperation, innovation, responsible use of technology, and strategic partnerships that encourage collaborative solutions, strengthen environmental governance, and improve the protection of both people and ecosystems.
Our work is guided by the principles of human dignity, environmental sustainability, participation, transparency, accountability, equity, inclusion, precaution, do no harm, and respect for international human rights and environmental standards. We are committed to strengthening—not replacing—the roles of communities, public institutions, businesses, and specialised organisations by promoting dialogue, cooperation, shared responsibility, and lasting solutions. Through this integrated approach, CDDH transforms environmental challenges into opportunities for justice, community participation into stronger governance, responsible business conduct into greater accountability, and continuous learning into more resilient communities, healthier ecosystems, and sustainable development that benefits present and future generations.
ADVANCING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, NATURAL RESOURCES & CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY
Protecting Communities. Promoting Responsible Development. Securing a Sustainable Future.
At the Confederation for Democracy and Human Rights (CDDH), we believe that environmental protection, responsible natural resource governance, and respect for human rights are inseparable foundations of sustainable development. Economic growth should never come at the expense of human dignity, healthy ecosystems, or the rights of communities. Governments, businesses, investors, and all other stakeholders share responsibilities to ensure that development is transparent, accountable, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable. The Environmental Justice, Natural Resources & Corporate Accountability Programme is designed to strengthen environmental governance, promote responsible business conduct, protect affected communities, and encourage sustainable management of natural resources. Through research, documentation, advocacy, policy engagement, community participation, and strategic partnerships, CDDH seeks to contribute to development models that respect human rights, safeguard the environment, and generate equitable benefits for present and future generations.
Through this programme, we seek to:
- Promote the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment through rights-based advocacy, policy dialogue, public awareness, and support for effective environmental governance.
- Strengthen transparent, accountable, and sustainable governance of land, water, forests, minerals, energy resources, fisheries, and other natural resources by encouraging public participation, equitable benefit-sharing, and responsible stewardship.
- Encourage responsible business conduct in accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) by promoting human rights due diligence, environmental responsibility, ethical supply chains, stakeholder engagement, and access to effective grievance and remedy mechanisms.
- Support communities affected by extractive industries, infrastructure projects, pollution, environmental degradation, land disputes, forced displacement, climate-related impacts, and other activities that may affect human rights by promoting participation, dialogue, access to information, and coordinated advocacy.
- Strengthen the protection of environmental human rights defenders, journalists, researchers, lawyers, community leaders, and civil society organisations through documentation, advocacy, protection coordination, referrals, and engagement with national, regional, and international human rights mechanisms.
- Promote climate justice, environmental resilience, disaster risk reduction, sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity protection, and community-led adaptation strategies that strengthen resilience to environmental and climate-related challenges.
- Integrate Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Impact (MEL), research, knowledge management, organisational learning, scientific evidence, and evidence-based policy development into programme implementation to strengthen quality, accountability, innovation, and long-term impact.
- Encourage interdisciplinary cooperation, responsible innovation, constructive dialogue, and strategic partnerships among governments, businesses, communities, academic institutions, development partners, and civil society to advance sustainable, rights-based development.
Our impact extends beyond environmental protection alone. By strengthening environmental governance, encouraging responsible business practices, supporting affected communities, and promoting accountability, CDDH contributes to societies where economic development, environmental sustainability, and human rights reinforce one another rather than compete. Through community participation, responsible stewardship, strategic partnerships, continuous learning, evidence-informed advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to human dignity, the Environmental Justice, Natural Resources & Corporate Accountability Programme works toward a future where natural resources are managed responsibly, businesses respect human rights, ecosystems are protected, and every community can pursue sustainable development in safety, dignity, and justice.
WORKING WITH PARTNERS
Building Sustainable Solutions Through Strategic Partnerships
The Confederation for Democracy and Human Rights (CDDH) believes that environmental justice, responsible natural resource governance, and corporate accountability can only be achieved through meaningful collaboration, shared responsibility, and inclusive dialogue. Addressing environmental and human rights challenges requires the combined expertise of communities, public institutions, businesses, civil society, researchers, and international organisations. By working alongside trusted partners, CDDH helps strengthen collective action while promoting sustainable, rights-based solutions that benefit both people and the environment. The Environmental Justice, Natural Resources & Corporate Accountability Programme works with a broad network of local, national, regional, and international partners to improve environmental governance, strengthen corporate accountability, reinforce community participation, and support sustainable development grounded in respect for human rights.
We collaborate with:
- Community-based organisations, rural communities, environmental human rights defenders, grassroots movements, women's organisations, youth networks, and local leaders.
- Human rights organisations, environmental organisations, civil society organisations, victims' associations, and advocacy networks.
- Government institutions, environmental protection agencies, National Human Rights Institutions, independent oversight bodies, and local authorities where appropriate.
- Academic institutions, universities, research centres, environmental scientists, legal experts, economists, and technical specialists.
- United Nations entities, regional organisations, development partners, international cooperation agencies, and international financial institutions where appropriate.
- Responsible businesses, industry associations, investors, sustainability initiatives, and private sector partners committed to responsible business conduct and respect for human rights.
- Journalists, investigative media, transparency initiatives, open data platforms, and organisations promoting access to information and public participation.
Together with our partners, we:
- Promote transparent, accountable, and inclusive environmental governance by encouraging dialogue, public participation, access to information, and collaborative decision-making on matters affecting natural resources and communities.
- Strengthen implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) by encouraging human rights due diligence, environmental responsibility, stakeholder engagement, responsible supply chains, and access to effective grievance and remedy mechanisms.
- Support communities affected by extractive industries, infrastructure projects, pollution, environmental degradation, climate-related impacts, and other development activities by promoting coordinated advocacy, community participation, documentation, and access to appropriate accountability mechanisms.
- Protect and support environmental human rights defenders, journalists, researchers, lawyers, community leaders, and civil society organisations through coordinated advocacy, protection referrals, documentation, and engagement with national, regional, and international human rights mechanisms.
- Encourage climate resilience, environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, disaster risk reduction, and responsible natural resource management through interdisciplinary cooperation and locally led initiatives.
- Share lessons learned, Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Impact (MEL) findings, research, scientific evidence, good practices, and organisational knowledge to strengthen programme quality, policy development, coordination, and continuous learning.
- Foster innovation, responsible technology, multi-stakeholder dialogue, and cross-sector partnerships that generate practical, evidence-informed, and sustainable solutions to environmental and human rights challenges.
Every partnership is guided by the principles of human dignity, transparency, accountability, participation, inclusion, equity, environmental sustainability, integrity, mutual respect, and shared responsibility. CDDH values partnerships that empower communities, encourage constructive engagement, strengthen public trust, and contribute to development that respects both people and the environment. By working alongside trusted partners across sectors and disciplines, CDDH transforms collaboration into environmental stewardship, shared expertise into stronger governance, and collective responsibility into sustainable solutions that protect human rights, preserve natural resources, and promote resilient communities for present and future generations.
LOOKING AHEAD
Advancing Environmental Justice for Future Generations
The Confederation for Democracy and Human Rights (CDDH) remains committed to advancing a future where environmental sustainability, responsible natural resource governance, human rights, and economic development reinforce one another. As climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, resource scarcity, environmental degradation, and large-scale development projects continue to reshape societies, CDDH will strengthen its efforts to ensure that environmental policies and business practices respect human dignity, protect ecosystems, and promote equitable and sustainable development. Looking ahead, the Environmental Justice, Natural Resources & Corporate Accountability Programme will continue expanding partnerships, strengthening community participation, promoting evidenceinformed policymaking, and encouraging responsible governance that benefits both people and the environment. By combining human rights, scientific knowledge, community leadership, innovation, and constructive engagement, CDDH seeks to contribute to resilient societies capable of addressing emerging environmental and development challenges.
Our future priorities include:
- Strengthening environmental governance through greater transparency, accountability, public participation, and evidence-based decision-making in the management of land, water, forests, minerals, energy resources, fisheries, and other natural resources.
- Expanding implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) by promoting human rights due diligence, responsible investment, ethical supply chains, environmental responsibility, and effective access to grievance and remedy mechanisms.
- Reinforcing support for communities affected by extractive industries, infrastructure projects, climate change, environmental degradation, pollution, forced displacement, and other activities with significant environmental and human rights impacts through coordinated advocacy, community engagement, and policy dialogue.
- Promoting climate justice, biodiversity conservation, sustainable natural resource management, disaster risk reduction, environmental resilience, and locally led adaptation strategies that strengthen the capacity of communities to respond to environmental change.
- Supporting the protection and recognition of environmental human rights defenders, journalists, researchers, lawyers, indigenous peoples where relevant, rural communities, women, youth, and other actors contributing to environmental protection and sustainable development.
- Integrating Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Impact (MEL), scientific research, community feedback, organisational learning, knowledge management, and evidence-based adaptation into programme implementation to strengthen effectiveness, accountability, innovation, and long-term impact.
- Encouraging responsible innovation, green technologies, digital tools, interdisciplinary cooperation, and strategic partnerships that improve environmental governance, strengthen corporate accountability, and promote sustainable development.
- Investing in strategic foresight, policy innovation, professional development, and knowledge sharing to prepare communities, institutions, and partners for emerging environmental challenges, including climate transition, critical minerals, renewable energy development, and evolving international sustainability standards.
Our vision is a future where communities actively participate in decisions affecting their environment, businesses operate responsibly and transparently, governments manage natural resources in the public interest, and development is guided by respect for human rights, environmental sustainability, and intergenerational equity. We aspire to contribute to governance systems that protect both people and the planet while ensuring that future generations inherit healthy ecosystems, resilient communities, and inclusive opportunities for sustainable development. Through community leadership, strategic partnerships, continuous learning, responsible innovation, evidence-informed advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to human dignity, CDDH will continue advancing environmental justice that safeguards natural resources, strengthens accountability, protects vulnerable communities, and contributes to a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient world.
CONTINUE EXPLORING
Continue Exploring Environmental Justice, Natural Resources & Corporate Accountability
The Environmental Justice, Natural Resources & Corporate Accountability Programme reflects CDDH's commitment to protecting both people and the environment through rights-based governance, responsible stewardship of natural resources, meaningful community participation, and corporate accountability. By promoting sustainable development, evidence-informed advocacy, responsible business conduct, and environmental justice, we contribute to a future where economic progress, environmental sustainability, and human rights advance together. Environmental justice is inseparable from broader efforts to protect human dignity, strengthen resilience, and promote sustainable societies. Communities affected by environmental degradation, climate change, pollution, irresponsible resource exploitation, and unsustainable development often require emergency support, protection, rehabilitation, humanitarian assistance, and long-term institutional reform. We invite you to explore our related programmes and discover how they work together to build comprehensive, rights-based solutions to today's most pressing human rights and environmental challenges.
Continue Exploring
Emergency Response & Rapid Action
Discover how CDDH coordinates timely, rights-based responses to urgent human rights and humanitarian crises through preparedness, rapid coordination, emergency monitoring, strategic advocacy, and trusted partnerships.
Protection & Assistance
Explore how CDDH strengthens the safety of individuals and communities at risk through protection planning, coordinated referrals, digital safety, advocacy, and access to national, regional, and international protection mechanisms.
Victim Support, Rehabilitation & Recovery
Learn how CDDH supports survivors of human rights violations through survivor-centred accompaniment, coordinated referrals, trusted partnerships, and long-term recovery pathways that restore dignity and strengthen resilience.
Humanitarian Action & Community Resilience
Discover how CDDH promotes rights-based humanitarian action, strengthens disaster preparedness, supports community leadership, and reinforces resilience before, during, and after humanitarian crises.
Together, these programmes form an integrated framework that transforms emergency response into protection, protection into recovery, recovery into resilient communities, and resilience into sustainable development. By connecting humanitarian action, environmental stewardship, responsible governance, corporate accountability, institutional learning, and strategic partnerships, CDDH strengthens its ability to protect people, safeguard natural resources, and promote lasting justice for present and future generations. Protecting human rights also means protecting the environments in which people live, work, and build their futures. Through collaboration, evidence-informed action, responsible governance, continuous learning, and an unwavering commitment to human dignity, CDDH works alongside communities, institutions, businesses, and partners to build a future where development is inclusive, ecosystems are protected, natural resources are managed responsibly, and every person can enjoy their rights in a safe, healthy, and sustainable environment.