Recommendation 30

Agree 30. The Government has a clear vision for a prosperous Arctic where economic and commercial development is achieved in a way that is safe, responsible and sustainable. We welcome UK business looking to invest in the Arctic and encourage them to engage through the Arctic Economic Council. The Council has endorsed and taken ownership of the Arctic Investment Protocol which sets out guidelines for responsible investment in the Arctic to which the Council seeks to give effect. It is important that commercial development does not damage the Arctic’s natural environment or destabilise peaceful co-operation both of which are fundamental to the prosperity of many Arctic communities, and that the people who live in the Arctic can benefit from increasing prosperity that comes from changes in the region. 31. The UK government has consistently supported the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) which are widely regarded as the authoritative international framework to steer practical action by Governments and businesses worldwide on this important agenda. Implementation of the UNGPs will support access to justice and remedy for victims of business-related human rights abuses, wherever these occur, and encourage businesses to voluntarily adopt due diligence approaches to respecting human rights. In response to the UNGPs, the UK was the first State to produce a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. The UK Government is clear that it expects all UK businesses to respect human rights throughout their operations, in line with the UNGPs.