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Rebuilding with Children in Mind

As businesses return from the summer slowdown, one thing is clear: the conversation around corporate responsibility is changing.

Across Europe, new sustainability reporting obligations under the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) are taking hold. At the same time, global headlines on child labour—from the cocoa farms of West Africa to manufacturing hubs in Asia—are once again reminding us that children remain among the most vulnerable in global supply chains.

And yet, despite these urgent realities, many companies are becoming quieter about their social commitments. The political climate in parts of the world has made ESG and human rights topics more contested, with some businesses fearing that public statements will invite scrutiny, criticism, or political pushback.

When it comes to children’s rights, silence is not safe.

Children are present in every link of the global economy: as family members of workers, as consumers, and—tragically—in some cases, as labourers. Publicly committing to protect and respect their rights sends a clear message to employees, investors, partners, and customers that your business understands its responsibilities and is prepared to act on them.

At Global Child Forum, we believe that integrating children’s rights into corporate strategy is not only a moral imperative—it’s also smart business. It strengthens brand trust, aligns with global frameworks like the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and ensures compliance with evolving requirements like the ESRS.

That’s why, together with the LEGO Group, we developed The Corporate Playbook: Embedding Children’s Rights into ESRS Reporting—a practical guide to help companies move from principles to action. It sets out clear steps to address critical issues such as responsible supply chains, eliminating child labour, and ensuring children’s well-being is part of every decision-making process.

With ESRS compliance approaching and global attention once again turning to supply chain abuses, this is the moment to move beyond compliance and box-ticking.

Headlines continue to expose the many ways children are affected by business—from unsafe products and environmental harm to online risks. In this landscape, silence is not an option.

Use your ESRS reporting not just to meet legal obligations, but to demonstrate leadership, strengthen trust, and drive meaningful change that protects children—wherever your business touches their lives.