UN FORUM SERIES – human rights due diligence is redefining investment opportunities in frontier markets

This post was contributed by Anna Bulzomi, Senior Associate, Sustainability & Responsible Governance, at PwC. In 2015, a number of developments in the human rights space have created momentum around the departure of business as usual. Last month saw the official launch of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which openly embrace private sector growth as a means for poverty reduction. Earlier this year, a survey from the Economist Intelligence Unit of over 850 senior business executives found that most businesses recognize that their operations have an impact on human rights and that their responsibilities go beyond abiding by local laws. Responsible investment is increasing at a steady rate, and institutional investors are starting to acknowledge the materiality of human rights issues.