Author: Aida Ortiz Fernández
Programme: Doctoral Programme on the Information and Knowledge Society
Language: Spanish
Supervisor: Dr Víctor M.Sánchez Sánchez
Faculty / Institute: UOC Doctoral School
Key words: public international law, CSR, human rights,extractive oil and gas sector,voluntary initiatives
Abstract:
International relations have undergone significant changes in recent decades, largely due to the proliferation of non-state actors, such as multinational enterprises, which act in an international legal order still defined for states. In this context, the problem of their regulation in the international context remains under debate, especially in relation to international human rights law. To address the challenges posed by companies, corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been identified as a solution that can work as an alternative to the law but also complement it. To explore this, this research has focused its analysis on companies in the hydrocarbons sector and has examined whether the main sectoral CSR tools are addressing the most significant risks to human rights derived from the companies' activity. In particular, the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, whose mission is to promote transparency and improve accountability, has been exhaustively examined through two of the initiative's member countries (Nigeria and Colombia).