Podcasts
Listen to the Discussions on BHR issues
Latest episode
🔹 Ep. 40 — Human Rights and Competitiveness: Reframing the Business Case for Human Rights
Host: Claire Bright
Date: February 2026
Summary: This episode explores the findings of the recent Council of Europe–commissioned study Human Rights and Competitiveness: Reframing the Business Case for Human Rights. It examines the distinction between positive and negative business cases, weighs the short-term costs against the long-term value of human rights due diligence, assesses the economic risks of inaction, and considers the impact of mandatory due diligence laws, as well as the Council of Europe’s role in fostering a more sustainable and competitive business environment.
Previous episodes
🔹 Ep. 39 — Responsible Mining in Practice
Host: Malindi Assubuji
Date: December 2025
Summary: A timely conversation on what responsible mining looks like on the ground. The episode explores IRMA’s approach to responsible mining, the pratical obstacle companies. face, the value of third-party audits for the industry, and what gives hope for the future of responsible practises in mining.
🔹 Ep. 38 — Human Rights vs Competitiveness
Guests: Olena Uvarova & Yann Wyss
Host: Claire Bright
Date: November 2025
Summary: The discussion explores the key findings of the recent UNDP study Human Rights vs. Competitiveness – A False Dilemma? and offers valuable insights for businesses, policymakers, and all stakeholders committed to promoting responsible and competitive corporate practices.
Special Series of Podcasts on "Omnibus Proposal"
🔹 Ep. 37 — Perspectives on the Omnibus Proposal: Lessons from Norway and Germany
Host: Claire Bright
Date: July 2025
Summary: A comparative discussion on the implementation of due diligence legislation in Norway and Germany, and insights for EU-level frameworks.
🔹 Ep. 35 — Enforcement Mechanisms in the CSDDD under the Omnibus Proposal
Host: Claire Bright
Date: May 2025
Summary: Analyses civil liability, administrative enforcement, and access to remedies under the revised Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).
🔹 Ep. 34 — EU Omnibus Package: What the New Changes Mean for Corporate Responsibility
Host: Claire Bright
Date: April 2025
Summary: Examines narrowed due diligence obligations and implications for corporate accountability and legal harmonisation.
🔹 Ep. 32 — Unpacking the European Commission’s Omnibus Proposal
Guests: Heidi Hautala & Richard Gardiner
Host: Claire Bright
Date: March 2025
Summary: Provides insights into the political and legal ramifications of the EC’s proposed changes to the CSDDD
🔹 Ep. 36 — Business and Affected Communities: A Human Rights-Based Approach
Guests: Alancay Morales Garro & Céline da Graça Pires
Host: Luís Prata Castro
Date: June 2025
Summary: Explores the importance of meaningful stakeholder engagement under the CSDDD and CSRD, with a focus on rights-based approaches.
🔹 Ep. 33 — Os Planos de Ação Nacional sobre Empresas e Direitos Humanos no Brasil
Guests: Muriele Boscatto, Jânia Saldanha & Pedro Witschoreck
Host: Luís Prata Castro
Date: April 2025
Summary: Discusses Brazil’s national strategies to implement the UN Guiding Principles and promote responsible business conduct.
🔹 Ep. 31 — Impacto do Mercado Agrobioquímico nos Direitos Humanos
🔹 Ep. 30 — Navigating Corporate HREDD: Impacts on Sustainable Finance
Summary: Assesses challenges and synergies around implementing the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D) and aligning it with Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) within sustainable finance regulation.
🔹 Ep. 29 — Piece‑Rate Payment Systems in Garment & Agricultural Sectors
Summary: Investigates widespread piece‑rate wage systems, their links to labour violations, and corporate strategies to protect workers in global supply chains.
🔹 Ep. 28 — O Papel do Ponto de Contacto Nacional Português (PCN PT)
🔹 Ep. 27 — Access to Remedy via Grievance Mechanisms
Guest: Liselotte Goemans (Fair Wear Foundation)
Host: Maria Ana Lourenço
Date: March 2024
Summary: Discusses how grievance mechanisms help deliver remedy in cases of corporate human rights abuses, using a multi‑stakeholder apparel initiative as case study.
🔹 Ep. 26 — Lithium Mining & Its Impact on Human Rights
Guests: Helle Abelvik‑Lawson & Catarina Alves Scarrott
Host: Matilde Carreira
Date: March 2024
Summary: Focuses on lithium extraction in South America and Portugal and its implications for indigenous and community rights.
🔹 Ep. 25 — Implementing CSDDD: Sustainability in Portuguese SMEs
Guests: Bernardo Ivo Cruz & Claire Bright
Host: Ana Duarte Santos
Date: April 2024
Summary: Addresses the rollout of the EU due diligence directive in Portugal, with a focus on supporting small and medium enterprises in sustainable compliance.
🔹 Ep. 24 — The New EU Forced Labour Regulation
Guest: Maria Manuel Leitão Marques, MEP
Host: Luís Prata Castro
Date: April 2024
Summary: Offers expert commentary on the scope and expected impact of the EU’s upcoming Forced Labour Regulation.
🔹 Ep. 23 — The Nevsun Ruling & Corporate Liability
Guest: Errol Mendes
Host: Luís Prata Castro
Date: March 2024
Summary: Examines the Canadian Supreme Court’s Nevsun decision and its significance for transnational corporate liability for human rights violations.
🔹 Ep. 22 — Protecting Children’s Rights in Business (UNICEF Mozambique)
Guest: Irina Matos (UNICEF Mozambique)
Host: Claudia Baptista
Date: January 2023
Summary: Highlights the integration of children’s rights into due diligence frameworks and corporate responsibility in Mozambique.
🔹 Ep. 21 — Model Contractual Clauses in Supply Chains
Guests: Martijn Scheltema & Daniel Schönfelder
Host: Luís Prata Castro
Date: December 2023
Summary: Reviews the use of EU model contractual clauses to embed human rights protections in global supply contracts.
🔹 Ep. 20 — Responsible Business Conduct in Armed Conflicts
Guest: Jonathan Kolieb (RMIT University)
Host: Claudia Baptista
Date: November 2023
Summary: Explores corporate responsibilities under International Humanitarian Law in conflict zones and implications for business operations.
🔹 Ep. 19 — Child Labour in Global Supply Chains
Guests: Odete Severino & Inês Poeiras
Host: Maria Miguel Oliveira da Silva
Date: May 2023
Summary: Focused dialogue on child labour worldwide, with particular emphasis on the situation in Portugal and eradication strategies.
🔹 Ep. 18 — French Duty of Vigilance Law Framework
Guest: Paul Mougeolle
Host: Cláudia Baptista
Date: April 12, 2023
Summary: Breaks down corporate obligations under France’s vigilance law and recent jurisprudence in climate and due diligence contexts.
🔹 Ep. 17 — Sustainable Fashion & Circular Business Models
Guests: Francisco Granja de Almeida & Salomé Areias
Host: Raquel Burgoa Dias
Date: February 3, 2023
Summary: Examines how circular economy approaches are reshaping sustainability compliance in the textile and apparel industry.
🔹 Ep. 16 — Qatar’s World Cup & Human Rights
Guest: Antoine Duval
Host: Cláudia Baptista
Date: December 15, 2022
Summary: Discusses migrant labour, regulatory accountability and human rights concerns surrounding the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
🔹 Ep. 15 — Energy Sustainability & Human Rights
Guests: Lucila de Almeida & Eduardo Moura
Hosts: Raquel Burgoa Dias & Cláudia Baptista
Date: November 2022
Summary: Considers legal frameworks for energy sustainability, corporate due diligence, and social equity in energy transition.
🔹 Ep. 14 — Model Contract Clauses & BHR in Supply Chains (PLMJ partnership)
Guests: Sarah Dadush & Claire Bright
Host: Inês Crispim
Date: September 2022
Summary: Discusses US-developed model clauses for global supply chains and their relevance within EU due diligence directives.
🔹 Ep. 13 — Conversation on Children’s Rights & Due Diligence
Date: June 2022
Summary: Dialogue on integrating children’s rights perspectives into corporate due diligence frameworks.
🔹 Ep. 12 — Impact of the Draft Directive on Finance and Banking Sector
Guest: Bruno Ferreira
Hosts: Dussu Djabula & Raquel Burgoa Dias
Date: April 2022
Summary: Explores implications of the EU’s draft due diligence directive for financial institutions and their risk strategies.
🔹 Ep. 11 — Lobbying for Social Impact
Date: March 2022
Summary: Explores corporate lobbying’s role and “democracy footprint” in shaping sustainable business regulation.
🔹 Ep. 10 — EU Draft Directive on Corporate Due Diligence & Sustainability
Date: March 2022
Summary: Introduces the proposed EU directive on corporate due diligence and its impact on Portuguese business compliance strategies.
🔹 Ep. 9 — BHR and Migrant Workers from Women’s Rights Lens
Guests: Aintzane Márquez Tejón & Carolina Jiménez Sánchez
Host: Laura Iñigo Álvarez
Date: October 2021
Summary: Explores gender-sensitive perspectives on migrant worker rights within business and human rights frameworks.
🔹 Ep. 8 — A European Perspective on the UN Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights
Guest: Claire Methven O’Brien
Host: Dr. Laura Íñigo Álvarez
Date: September 2021
Summary: Analyses the EU’s position on the proposed UN treaty and how it aligns with existing European regulatory frameworks on business and human rights.
🔹 Ep. 7 — Addressing Racism in Business and Human Rights
Guests: Mame Mandiaye Niang, Tatiana Innocenti & Lucila de Almeida
Host: Ana Duarte
Date: July 2021
Summary: Discusses how racism and discrimination manifest in corporate structures and legal systems, and how BHR frameworks can address structural inequality.
🔹 Ep. 6 — Renewables and Human Rights
Guests: Céline da Graca Pires & Roberta Pinamonti (BSR)
Hosts: Ana Duarte & Alice Milheiras
Date: June 2021
Summary: Discusses the renewable energy sector’s responsibility to uphold human rights in the value chain.
🔹 Ep. 3 — Corporate Criminal Liability in Brazil
Guest: Eduardo Saad-Diniz
Hosts: Athina Sachoulidou & Julia Garcia
Date: April 2021
Summary: Evaluates Brazilian legal frameworks on corporate crime and their human rights implications.
🔹 Ep. 2 — Corporate Social Responsibility (Responsabilidade Social das Empresas)
Guest: Prof. Dr. Catarina Serra
Host: Ana Duarte
Date: March 2021
Summary: Explores the development of corporate social responsibility in Portugal and its legal significance.
🔹 Ep. 1 — An Introduction to Business, Human Rights and the Environment
Guest: Dr. Laura Íñigo Álvarez
Hosts: Ana Duarte & Alice Milheiras
Date: February 2021
Summary: Provides a foundational overview of how business practices intersect with human rights and environmental responsibility.
🌿 Special Series – Decoding Sustainable Finance (DSF)
🔹 DSF Ep. 6 — Strategic Litigation and Sustainable Development
Guest: Ivano Alogna
Summary: Discusses how legal action can be used to promote environmental goals and hold corporations accountable.
🔹 DSF Ep. 5 — Climate Justice
Guest: Daria Shapovalova
Summary: Explores the intersection of environmental law and social equity in global climate governance.
🔹 DSF Ep. 4 — Sustainable Finance and Fintech
Guest: André Castro Silva
Summary: Examines how technology and data can advance ESG investment strategies and compliance.
🔹 DSF Ep. 3 — Climate Transition and Physical Risk
Guest: Tiago de Melo Cartaxo
Summary: Analyses financial risks related to climate change and policy transition frameworks.
🔹 DSF Ep. 2 — The Green Taxonomy
Guest: Paula Redondo Pereira
Summary: Introduces the EU Green Taxonomy and its role in guiding sustainable investment.
🔹 DSF Ep. 1 — Finance, Investing and Sustainable Development
Guest: Nicoletta Centofanti
Summary: Frames the broader sustainable finance landscape and its global regulatory evolution.
with the support of:
