A UN expert emphasized the critical need today to reconsider business and economic models that have propelled humanity beyond the planet's ecological limits.

In his report to the Human Rights Council, UN Special Rapporteur David Boyd underscores the critical need to overhaul current business and economic models that exceed ecological limits and undermine human rights. 

He condemns the inadequate regulation and oversight by states, which enable and subsidize destructive corporate practices harmful to the environment and human well-being. Boyd advocates for a paradigm shift towards holistic indicators of progress beyond GDP, stringent laws mandating human rights due diligence, and policies promoting environmental sustainability.

Highlighting the global disparity in consumption patterns, Boyd stresses the dual imperative for wealthy nations to shrink their ecological footprints while supporting sustainable development in less affluent regions. 

He emphasizes the pivotal role of businesses in fostering a just and sustainable future, urging a transition towards models prioritizing societal benefits over profits. Central to his recommendations is the enforcement of the recently recognized right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, which he believes holds transformative potential if rigorously upheld by both states and businesses alike.