Against the background of more frequent and numerous calls for a new international legal instrument in the field of business and human rights, the ICJ has conducted consultations and research with a view to assessing and drawing conclusions as to the need for such an instrument. The present report analyses the need for an international instrument, or instruments, and available options to that end...[T]his report first reviews recent developments in international instruments since the adoption of the Guiding Principles, and then analyses the remaining gaps (both normative as well as those concerning implementation) that need to be filled to improve protection of human rights in the context of the operations of business enterprises. The second part focuses on the available options.