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ARTICLE · 19 SEPTEMBER 2023

ESG Policy Update–Australia

K&L Gates
K&L Gates
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As the modern slavery risks in the supply chains of renewable energy producers and markets come into focus (ABC|GreenBiz), the office of the New South Wales Anti-Slavery Commissioner...

AustraliaEnergy and Natural Resources
Clive Cachia
Clive Cachia
Adam Levine
Adam Levine
Lisa Lautier
Lisa Lautier
Nathan Bodlovich
Nathan Bodlovich

AUSTRALIAN UPDATE

Addressing Modern Slavery Risks in Renewable Energy Supply Chains

As the modern slavery risks in the supply chains of renewable energy producers and markets come into focus ( ABC|GreenBiz), the office of the New South Wales Anti-Slavery Commissioner recently released the discussion paper  A Code of Practice on Managing Modern Slavery Risks in Renewable Energy Value-Chains (Discussion Paper). The Discussion Paper outlines, in particular, the risks of forced labour in the supply of polysilicon (which is used in photovoltaics) from Xinjiang, China and evidence of illegal child and forced labour in the mining of cobalt (used in lithium-ion batteries) from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The paper proposes the development of a Code of Practice on Managing Modern Slavery Risks in Renewable Energy Value-Chains (Renewables COP). The Discussion Paper proposes that compliance with the Renewables COP will initially be voluntary. The Paper is currently

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