Conversations around a just climate transition tend to start with familiar feel-good stories. Yet the deeper challenge often lies in the unseen consequences of climate action. Environmental strategies can set off ripple effects that harm people – crop shifts that destabilize smallholder farmers, water reduction efforts that intensify local scarcity, or rapid decarbonization plans that close factories without safety nets for workers, for example.

This session will surface and analyze such overlooked dynamics. Drawing on SEDEX’s global supply chain data and industry experience, we’ll show how well-intentioned strategies can backfire when human rights are left out of the equation. Most importantly, we will share practical ways businesses can use the due diligence cycle to spot these types of risks early and design resilience strategies that protect workers, support communities, and strengthen business continuity.

Key takeaways:

• A sharper understanding of what a just climate transition means beyond energy jobs.
• Evidence of how environmental strategies can unintentionally lead to new vulnerable workers and assets.
• Practical steps to align climate goals with human rights, unlocking more resilient supply chains.