In collaboration with the Basque Innovation Agency (Innobasque), we at The Rights Factory have implemented a project aimed at strengthening the capacities and due diligence systems with regard to human rights in the energy sector in the Basque Country. Among the various activities set out in the project, we have developed a tool for the evaluation and auditing of the supply chain in the sector, designed in a collaborative process in which five companies from the Basque energy sector with different profiles have taken part. The tool accompanies a Code of Conduct, which lays down minimum standards in order to guarantee that the practices and operations in the energy industry supply chain respect fundamental freedoms and human rights, as part of their corporate social responsibility policy.
Innovation and human rights in the energy sector supply chain in the Basque Country
CHALLENGE:
The welfare of the people, the competitiveness of industry and the general functioning of society depend on safe, guaranteed, sustainable and affordable energy. With the globalization of markets and the relocation of production, the use of codes of conduct for the control of labour, environmental and human rights practices throughout the value chain of the company is becoming increasingly frequent, above all those aimed at controlling the behaviour of suppliers and contractors. Codes of conduct are a formal declaration of the behaviour expected of a company in its relations with its employees, shareholders, consumers, the environment, society and other stakeholders.
Businesses also require other practical tools that help them with the selection and evaluation of their suppliers, guaranteeing not only that they subscribe to these codes of conduct, but also that their business management and behaviour conform to them.
ACTION:
Applying a methodology of co-design and co-creation, the team at The Rights Factory have developed a Code of Conduct for the Basque energy sector as a distinctive, competitive landmark in local industry, which seeks compliance with internationally recognized human rights standards in order to advance in social and environmental responsibility, in business ethics and in their co-responsibility.
We have also devised a tool for the Auditing and Evaluation of Suppliers, which will be very useful in ensuring that companies in the sector have all the key information in human rights when it comes to selecting and evaluating their suppliers.
For more information about these tools, download this document.
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BENEFITS:
The corporate social responsibility of the energy sector in the Basque Country contributes to the realization of fundamental human rights in its sphere of influence.
Positioning of the energy sector, and by extension of the Basque Country, as an international and innovative point of reference regarding human rights impacts.
New perspective on current business management models: co-responsibility, shared value for all the stakeholders and responsible internationalization.
Strengthening of capacities and of due diligence systems with regard to human rights in the supply chain of the energy sector in the Basque Country.
Promoter
Innobasque and The Rights Factory
Date
2013-2014
Category
CSR and Human Rights Management, Responsible Internationalization