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We are witnessing a convergence of crises that are undermining global stability, including ecological degradation driven by consumption and the hegemony of the capitalist system, deep economic divides, social tensions manifested in exclusion, and democratic setbacks with the rise of authoritarianism. In this project, this situation is framed within the broad concept of an eco-social crisis, understood as a systemic phenomenon that encompasses both environmental degradation and social decline.
Acronym

CIGE/2026/65

Description

Of the multiplicity of approaches that could underpin research taking the ecosocial crisis as its starting point, this proposal will focus on its relationship with corporate power. The relationship between the ecosocial crisis and corporate power is one of direct and systemic causality. Large corporations, driven by the logic of profit maximization and infinite growth within a closed and finite system, are the main driving force behind both ecological degradation and social inequalities, which they simultaneously intensify.

These ideas underpin the diagnosis on which this research proposal is formulated. Its main objective, broadly defined, is to confront the expansion of corporate power in the context of the ecosocial crisis and to rebalance the scales in favour of human and environmental rights. To this end, the distinctive approach proposed here is the strategic recentring of International Law and International Human Rights Law as tools for rebalancing the scales in favour of human and environmental rights. The proposal advocates revitalising the language of human rights in the face of its erosion, in order to address the ecosocial crisis and corporate impunity.

The distinctive contribution lies in seeking to reverse the perceived hierarchy by asserting the primacy of human rights obligations as an interpretative guide for International Law as a whole, while reorienting the legal framework towards the need to strengthen States’ obligations to protect human rights and to guarantee access to justice.

Developers of the project
Human Rights Institute
Principal investigators:
  • Del Valle Calzada, Estrella
  • PDI-Ajudant Doctor/A
View details
Non-UV participating researchers

MARULLO, MARIA CHIARA, UNIVERSITAT JAUME I

IGLESIAS MÁRQUEZ, DANIEL,UNIVERSIDAD DE LA LAGUNA

ÍÑIGO ÁLVAREZ, LAURA, UNIVERSIDADE NOVA DE LISBOA

FRANZISKA INVESTIGADORA ME GERMAN INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN RIGTHS INDEFINIDO

CARDONA VALLÈS, MARIONA, UNIVERSITAT OBERTA DE CATALUNYA

BUENO, NICOLAS, UNIDISTANCE SUISSE

SMART, SEBASTIAN, SENIOR RSEARCHER ME ANGLIA RUSKIN UNIVERSITY

ZAMORA GÓMEZ, CRISTINA, UNIVERSIDAD PABLO DE OLAVIDE

Start date
2026 September
End date
2028 August
Project type
  • GVA - GE - Emerging research groups