Submission in Support of Petitioners Case No. CHR-NI-2016-0001 judicial and other redress mechanisms.”138 Further reinforcing the idea that courts and other tribunals should exercise jurisdiction over disputes involving climaterelated human rights violations caused by non-state actors, OHCHR has recommended that civil society “bring appropriate actions to human rights mechanisms and courts to flesh out State and business obligations related to climate change.”139 The core international human rights treaties do not directly address the obligations of private parties to respect human rights, but there are some emerging standards for non-state actors that countries are beginning to incorporate into domestic law, and that are under active discussion in international fora. These standards are set forth in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (the “Ruggie Principles”), proposed by UN Special Representative John Ruggie and endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council in June 2011. 140 The Ruggie Principles provide guidance to countries on how to fulfill their obligations in this context, and principles that are directly applicable to private actors. The foundational principles for private actors include: 1. Businesses should respect human rights by avoiding infringing on the human rights of others and addressing any adverse human rights impacts with which they are involved. 2. The rights that must be respected by businesses include, at minimum, the rights recognized in the International Bill of Rights (UDHR, ICCPR, ICESCR) and the principles concerning fundamental rights set out in the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. 3. To meet their human rights responsibilities, businesses should implement policies and processes appropriate for their size and circumstances, so as to safeguard human rights in all aspects of their operation. 138 OHCHR, Draft Summary of Recommended Actions on Human Rights and Climate Change from OHCHR Expert Meeting of 6-7 October, ¶¶ 49, 54 (2016). 139 Id. ¶ 48 (emphasis added). See also id. ¶ 56 (“the courts should promote business accountability” with respect to climate-related harms). 140 UNHRC Res. 17/4, Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises, UN Doc. A/HRC/Res/17/4 (July 6, 2011). Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia Law School 26