Addressing hidden modern slavery in building materials

The rapid growth of the built environment presents challenges and opportunities for achieving sustainability. This growth can involve hidden modern slavery within the supply chains of building materials. Recent legislation aims to end imports made with forced labor, but enforcement is challenging due to supply chain opacity. This project will explore the geochemical "fingerprints" of imported cement and natural stone to verify their origin and assess risks of forced labor and environmental degradation. The framework will guide industry toward more responsible and transparent sourcing of building materials.