A/HRC/41/49 action, facilitated by the Centro Regional de Empresas y Emprendimientos Responsables (CREER) • Platform Living Wage Financials, an alliance of 11 financial institutions which holds monthly meetings aimed, among other things, at facilitating dialogue between investors and human rights defenders21 75. The Forum also featured the presentation by the Human Rights and Business Award Foundation of the first Human Rights and Business Award, recognizing the work of human rights defenders from the Global South, to the Brazilian NGO Justiça nos Trilhos. The award ceremony highlighted the courage of civil society organizations and advocates working at great risk to support affected communities and the importance of working collaboratively with local and regional organizations and networks, as well as continued efforts to engage with the private sector. C. Connecting the corporate responsibility to respect human rights and the environment 76. Despite increasing recognition of the links between climate change and human rights, climate change and business, and business and human rights, several Forum participants noted that there was a lack of action to ensure business accountability for climate change. 77. Forum sessions on environmental impacts of business activity included testimonies from different parts of the world, such as the impact caused in small island States such as Papua New Guinea or Fiji by business operations (i.e., in deep-sea mining); affirmation of the need for business engagement with local communities and for responsible practices; and an example of corporate action to address climate change grounded in a due diligence process carried out over two years that had led to the identification of a long list of risks of adverse impacts on people and the environment, some of which were previously unknown and over half of which were now being managed by the company. 78. Discussions were held on how to move towards a responsible transition to a green economy. Participants noted that if such a transition failed to take human rights into account, it could entail risks that might harm lives and livelihoods, as well as causing financial and legal costs for companies and investors. Participants explored what a “just transition” would imply, highlighting aspects such as leaving no one behind; maximizing climate protection while respecting the rights of workers and communities; the need for companies, investors and Governments to engage meaningfully with affected communities; and the need to avoid “greenwashing”. 79. In other discussions participants addressed environmental issues affecting workers around the world, such as the human rights impacts of toxic substances. Participants focused on the electronics industry at one session, where discussions revolved around inadequate standards of protection; protection of the most vulnerable; opacity of supply chains and traceability; deliberate efforts of certain businesses to delay implementation of standards; failure to realize the right to know, including the right to information about exposure; and failure to realize the right of workers to an effective remedy. 80. Participants at other sessions highlighted the need to respect indigenous communities’ rights and traditions, including with regard to renewable energies and sustainable development, and the importance of Governments and businesses working together in good faith with indigenous communities. D. Technology and corporate respect for human rights 81. Among the emerging issues addressed at the Forum was the impact of novel and disruptive technologies. At a session on artificial intelligence, participants examined the 21 18 See www.livingwage.nl/platform-living-wage-financials/.