Supply chains and the climate transition: Navigating forced labor, sanctions, and compliance requirements

The clean energy transition depends on global supply chains that are subject to an evolving regulatory landscape. Forced labor regulations, export controls, and sanctions frameworks continue to develop across the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, China, and Australia, with implications for companies sourcing the minerals, components, and materials needed for decarbonization. At the same time, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and other environmental pressures have created new risks to the resilience, availability, and cost of supply chain inputs. The session will also explore how environmental and climate-related supply chain risks, from physical impacts to evolving sustainability requirements, are affecting sourcing strategies and supply resilience. It will offer strategies for diligence, sourcing, and supplier relationships, particularly when the legal requirements of key markets directly conflict.