Climate action and human rights: Practical pathways for financial institutions

In celebration of International Human Rights Day, this webinar brings together voices from financial institutions, civil society, international organizations, trade unions, and academia to explore how climate action and respect for human rights can, and must, go hand in hand. In July 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a landmark advisory opinion affirming that the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment stems from the interdependence between human rights and environmental protection. This means that climate action, encompassing all efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change, is a cornerstone of the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. In recent years, the message has grown louder and clearer: without inclusion and respect for human rights, there can be no just transition to sustainable societies. As financial institutions increasingly recognize this connection, the challenge now lies in translating principles into concrete action across governance, policy, risk management, and impact. Building on recent resources such as the UNEP FI Human Rights Toolkit, this session will offer practical guidance and real-world examples to help financial institutions integrate human rights into their climate strategies, advance a just transition, and deliver positive outcomes for people and planet. Speakers: - Angela Asuncion, Senior Advisor on Transition Minerals and Just Energy Transition, Bantay Kita Inc. - Fernanda Hopenhaym, United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights - Jessica Wan, Social Lead, Redwheel - Joana Pedro, Social and Human Rights Lead, UNEP FI - Paloma Muñoz Quick, Human Rights Standards Director, BSR - Moderator: Magdalena Garcia Elorrio, Social Specialist and Project Coordinator, UNEP FI