Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 25
25
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 85
Statutory evaluation of due diligence system lacks explicit human rights impact assessment.
Conclusion
Schedule 17 requires the Secretary of State to evaluate the effectiveness of the due diligence system in the third year following its full entry into force. The Act requires an evaluation of the impact of the regime on deforestation activity, but does not explicitly require an evaluation of the impact of the system on the human rights of indigenous peoples.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the crucial role of indigenous peoples and is exploring how the impact of the due diligence system on their human rights could be addressed within the independent evaluation of Schedule 17, while noting statutory reviews will focus on deforestation.
Paragraph Reference:
85
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
As the objective of our due diligence legislation is to reduce deforestation linked to UK commodity supply chains, statutory reviews of Schedule 17 will focus on evaluating the scheme’s effectiveness in meeting this objective. However, we are aware of the crucial role of indigenous peoples in the preservation of forests and appreciate the relevance of this issue to our core policy objectives. We are exploring how it may be possible to address this within the independent evaluation of the scheme.