Human rights and sustainable finance: exploring the relationship

This working paper explores the critical intersections between human rights and sustainable finance. Commissioned in November 2014 by the UNEP Inquiry on the Design of a Sustainable Financial System and co-produced with the Institute for Human Rights and Business, the document aims to support the Inquiry's broader agenda of shaping an inclusive, green financial future. It examines how human rights considerations are being addressed by key actors across the global financial system, while also identifying unexplored linkages between finance and human rights. The paper contributes to the "inclusive" dimension of sustainable finance by advancing targeted policy recommendations and highlighting areas for further research. Through a multi-level analysis—systemic, client, and consumer—it underscores the potential of human rights to enhance financial ethics, governance, risk management, and social outcomes. Ultimately, it calls for a paradigm shift where financial systems not only avoid harm but actively support the realization of rights, reinforce accountability, and align with the broader goals of sustainable development.