Previous findings

2020 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark

On 21 November 2020, the World Benchmarking Alliance published the fourth iteration of the Corporate Human Rights Benchmark. We assessed 230 companies. For the first time, we assessed companies from the automotive sector - 30 in total. Given the COVID-19 pandemic and associated impacts on companies globally, we chose to only assess companies from the agricultural products, apparel, extractives and ICT manufacturing sectors on a part of, rather than the full methodology. The results show that there has been progress on previous years. A number of companies are meeting the fundamental expectations of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), with strong commitments and rigorous procedures in place. However, two significant challenges have emerged. The first is that only a minority of companies demonstrate the willingness and commitment to take human rights seriously. The second challenge is arguably more pernicious and relates to the disconnect between commitments and processes on the one hand and actual performance and results on the other. If we are to achieve the SDGs by 2030, we need to ensure that strong commitments and management systems deliver their intended effects. Additionally, we need all companies to participate in this effort and to place people and planet above the pursuit of profit at all cost.