The OECD Guidelines and Environmentally Responsible Business Conduct

What does environmentally responsible business conduct look like?

Can businesses be held accountable to address the environmental impacts of their activities?

The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (OECD Guidelines) are internationally agreed standards for responsible business conduct, which address environmental impacts as well as human rights, labour relations, consumer interests and other areas. Australia is one of 50 countries which has joined the OECD Guidelines, encouraging multinational enterprises to observe these standards; and establishing a National Contact Point (the Australian National Contact Point – within the Commonwealth Department of the Treasury).

Join NELA (WA) and Curtin Law School for a workshop which provides an overview of the application of the OECD Guidelines to cases involving environmental issues, and examines the practicalities of a complaint to the Australian National Contact Point (AusNCP) regarding the environmental chapter of the OECD Guidelines.

1.5 CPD points are available (0.5 in CA 2 – Professional Skills, 0.5 in CA 3 – Ethics or Professional Responsibility; and 0.5 in CA 4 – Substantive Law)

This workshop is free for NELA members and NGO sector attendees, and $20 for non-members.

Speakers

John Southalan – Independent Examiner, AusNCP for Responsible Business Conduct

John is a mediator, barrister and academic with extensive experience in responsible business conduct and dispute resolution. He has a part-time role as an Independent Examiner with the AusNCP for Responsible Business Conduct, dealing with complaints against companies about the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.

Jo Feldman – Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright

Jo is an arbitration and litigation lawyer; with over 17 years’ experience working with government and the private sector.  She has broad experience in disputes under national laws and international law, and has acted for and against States in investment treaty arbitrations.

Jo is also experienced in human rights law, and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues. She was Australia’s lead on human rights at the United Nations in New York, and was Vice Chair of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, chairing the negotiation of the Political Declaration to mark the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

Joseph Wilde-Ramsing – Senior Advisor, OECD Watch

Joseph is a researcher, advisor and advocate with broad experience and expertise in corporate accountability across a wide range of sectors, including energy, extractives, manufacturing and finance. Joseph frequently assists communities and workers in documenting human rights and environmental violations, asserting their rights and seeking remedy for corporate abuse. Joseph is on the Advisory Board of the Dutch National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines.