The conflict in Gaza, alongside growing concerns about AI governance and geopolitical tensions, reflects a deeper crisis one that transcends borders and industries. At the heart of it lies a fundamental question: will global rules and rights endure, or will they be replaced by unchecked power and impunity?

A World Where Rules Are at Risk

Across multiple regions and sectors, shared norms that once underpinned international cooperation are being challenged. While the global rules-based order has historically favored Western powers and often applied unevenly, today’s risk is more existential—the potential collapse of those norms altogether. Some actors are no longer trying to reform the system; they are attempting to bypass it entirely.

Why This Matters to Business?

In such a volatile landscape, companies cannot remain neutral. Though engaging with politically sensitive crises may feel risky, inaction carries even greater long-term consequences. Business success depends on stable societies governed by the rule of law. Disregarding that foundation is not only a moral lapse, but a strategic miscalculation.

Many companies claim sustainability leadership through environmental pledges. Yet climate action, while urgent, is often treated as a shortcut to reputational virtue—an easy proxy for “doing good.” That framing is flawed. Environmental goals are not about abstract planetary salvation, but about safeguarding the communities, markets, and ecosystems businesses rely on. When these communities are being destroyed, turning a blind eye undermines the very foundation of sustainability.

Gaza: A Case That Demands Clarity

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza poses an uncomfortable but necessary test for business commitments. Thousands of civilians have been killed. Essential infrastructure has been obliterated. The International Court of Justice and other leading legal bodies have raised alarms over possible violations of international law.

A recent report by UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese named several businesses whose operations may be embedded in what she describes as an “economy of genocide.” While legal interpretations may vary, and facts are often contested, the scale of civilian harm is undeniable.

Responsibility in Uncertain Terrain

Navigating such complexity is undoubtedly challenging, especially when states themselves disagree over international legal standards. But ambiguity is no excuse for indifference. Companies must examine whether their products, services, or financial support are contributing to human rights violations or undermining basic civilian protections.

Remaining passive in the face of such abuses is not a neutral act it’s complicity. Worse still is when businesses exploit chaos for profit. Such behavior chips away at the already fragile norms that protect all market actors from volatility and violence.

The Quiet Anxiety of Boardrooms

In private, many board members express growing alarm over the global rise of authoritarianism and the weakening of democratic institutions. Yet this concern rarely translates into action. Executives often fear commercial backlash or political isolation if they speak out, especially when competitors seize the opportunity to stay silent and gain ground.

This creates a collective action dilemma. No one wants to go first. The concern is that early movers will face penalties while others benefit. But this fear underestimates the growing expectations of investors, consumers, and employees for responsible corporate behavior and the influence that businesses wield in shaping markets through example and leadership.

Read more: Hunger Crisis in Gaza and Sudan Amid Global Climate Challenges

Learning from the Past

There are encouraging precedents. In the past, businesses have taken decisive action on complex issues such as child labor, corruption, and conflict minerals. These efforts were not always profitable in the short term, but they played a vital role in stabilizing markets, building public trust, and safeguarding long-term viability.

The same is now needed when it comes to defending the rule of law and universal human rights. This means aligning operations with ethical standards, conducting rigorous due diligence, and collaborating with peers to build a united front.

Time to Act Before It’s Too Late

The message is clear: if business leaders wish to preserve the conditions that allow free markets to thrive, they must take responsibility for defending them. That requires more than statements it calls for tangible operational decisions, transparent risk management, and collective action.

Waiting until threats arrive at your doorstep may be too late. By then, the institutions that protect markets and liberties may be too hollowed out to respond.

Explore ESG Solutions on our marketplace - OneStop ESG Marketplace.

Keep abreast of the top ESG Events on OneStop ESG Events.

OneStop ESG Educate: Your go-to source for top ESG courses and training programs tailored to your needs.

Stay informed with the latest insights on OneStop ESG News.

Discover meaningful career opportunities on OneStop ESG Jobs.