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The UK government has moved to prevent its state-owned energy provider from utilizing solar panels associated with forced labor practices in China, promising an amendment to align GB Energy’s operations with ethical standards.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is set to introduce this legislative change, ensuring that GB Energy’s supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking.
This decision comes on the heels of a recent rejection by ministers of a proposal aimed at restricting GB Energy’s purchasing efforts based on credible links to modern slavery within solar panel supply chains.
Concerns have arisen regarding solar panel manufacturing practices in China’s Xinjiang province, where reports indicate significant exploitation of Uyghur Muslims.
China is a key player in the global renewable energy sector, especially in the production of polysilicon, an essential ingredient in solar panels, raising challenges for the UK as it imports a considerable number of these panels from the region.
The debate over this legislation intensified as several Labour MPs abstained from voting on an amendment proposed by crossbench peer Lord Alton while the Great British Energy Bill was being deliberated in the House of Lords.
According to a government source, there has been recognition that GB Energy should take a leading role in promoting ethical practices within the industry.
While the specific details of the new amendment are still pending release, it is expected to clearly outline GB Energy’s commitments to ensuring the absence of forced labor in its supply chains.
Supporters of the initiative within the Labour Party view this as a notable achievement in advancing human rights within the industry.
Sir Iain Duncan Smith, former leader of the Conservative Party and an advocate for a more assertive UK policy towards China, noted that the government had to address this issue to avoid significant dissent within parliamentary ranks.
He expressed hope that the government acknowledges the severity of allowing products associated with slave labor to enter the UK market.
In light of emerging reports in 2023 regarding the British Army’s use of solar panels from companies linked to forced labor in China, the urgency of addressing these supply chain issues has become increasingly apparent.
Luke de Pulford, executive director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (Ipac), emphasized the systemic problem of state-sponsored forced labor affecting the entire renewables sector.
When questioned about the challenges of expanding the UK’s renewable energy usage without resorting to Chinese suppliers potentially involved in forced labor, de Pulford remarked on the need for a strategic transition. China’s predominant role in polysilicon production complicates efforts to diversify supply chains quickly.
Nonetheless, government representatives asserted that this shift would not undermine the UK’s net zero targets, affirming that alternate capacities within solar supply chains exist.
A spokesperson from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero stated, “No industry in the UK should rely on forced labor. Through Great British Energy, we aim to establish supply chains that foster a new era of clean domestic energy, generating jobs and investment.”
They also highlighted ongoing government efforts to combat forced labor in solar supply chains and the establishment of the revived Solar Taskforce, which is dedicated to fostering sustainable and ethical supply chain practices.
The government is taking feedback from MPs and peers into account and is working on strategies to ensure that Great British Energy becomes a leader in upholding ethical standards in the renewable sector.
Source
www.bbc.com