as the european union The (EU) prepares to vote on the landmark Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), with nearly 30 Finnish NGOs making a compelling appeal to the Finnish government to uphold the directive. Ta. This comes amid concerns that Finland could abstain from voting, potentially derailing a directive aimed at forcing corporate accountability for human rights and environmental impacts in global supply chains. There is sex.
The Finnish government’s sudden reluctance to support the directive, which had previously been supported by Finland itself, has caused disappointment and confusion among civil society groups. Outi HakkalainenFingo’s sustainable economy experts expressed regret that the government is willing to jeopardize a directive that has been the subject of many years of negotiations and is crucial in promoting corporate responsibility at EU level. .
The directive, which has been under consideration for some time, proposes imposing obligations on large companies to identify, address and reduce negative environmental and human rights impacts within their operations and supply chains. . It also requires companies to develop and implement transition plans that align with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
A grand committee of the Finnish parliament is expected to decide on Finland’s official position on the directive on the eve of the EU vote, following a written appeal from 28 organizations urging MPs to support the directive. NGOs argue that the Directive will strengthen the competitiveness of companies that prioritize sustainability and provide a uniform framework that reduces uncertainty regarding expected corporate responsibility standards across the EU.
Critics of the Finnish government’s stance Sonya Finner, FinWatch’s executive director, argues that not supporting the CSDDD would be a retreat from efforts to regulate corporate responsibility for human rights and environmental standards. The government is reportedly concerned about certain aspects of the directive that are seen as essential to ensuring access to justice for victims of human rights abuses by corporations, such as the right to class action and the expansion of discovery obligations. It is said to be centered around.
Meanwhile, the German Institute for Human Rights called on the German government and other EU member states to support the CSDDD, underscoring the importance of harmonizing due diligence regulations to prevent fragmentation of national laws. The directive is seen as crucial for protecting human rights and the environment, but it faces the risk of being blocked due to disagreements within EU member states, including Germany.
As the vote approaches, the outcome remains uncertain and Finland’s decision could have a major impact on the fate of the directive. The situation highlights broader debates within the EU about corporate responsibility, the need for concerted action to protect human rights and the environment, and the role of national governments in shaping international corporate governance standards.
HT