Social Impact & Human Rights

Advising businesses to uphold human rights and champion social impact to meet the needs of all people within the means of a living planet, building an equitable and resilient future.

Insights Services Guidance

Building an Equitable and Resilient Future for All

The global human rights and social impact landscape is moving towards increased regulatory oversight, due diligence, and mandatory reporting on the impacts organisations have on workers, suppliers, communities, and consumers. Our suite of services in Social Impact & Human Rights is designed to help corporates, funds, public administrations, and international institutions comprehensively address these challenges by assessing human rights and human capital risks, remediating issues, monitoring and measuring impact and designing bespoke social impact programs.

Our diverse team combines broad and deep human rights and social subject matter expertise with commercial and operational capabilities to help organisations at different stages transition to new models of sustainable performance and deliver meaningful social impact.

Social Impact and Human Rights Services

Empower your organisation to realise the business value of social performance by leveraging our Social Impact and Human Rights Services. From human rights due diligence and social impact assessment to ethical trade and just transition, our services empower organisations to thrive while contributing to a world where ethical values and social responsibility take centre stage.

Our recommendations align with the UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights, ILO Fundamental Conventions, OECD Due Diligence Guidance and Guidelines, the World Benchmarking Alliance’s Social Transformation Framework, and Just Transition Initiative.

Click through the Social Impact and Human Rights Services menu items on the left to learn more.

Just Transition

We support organizations to integrate a just transition in their decarbonization journey. We do this by helping to prioritize stakeholders that are most affected by the transition to a low-carbon economy, create decent work opportunities, identify opportunities for public-private collaboration and leaves no one behind.

We can help integrate a just transition into our clients’ sustainability commitments, policies and practices, bridging the various agendas that exist at the nexus of environmental sustainability and social justice and impact.

Modern Slavery Compliance and Reporting

The Australian Modern Slavery Act 2018 requires businesses and organizations above a certain size to annually report on the risks of modern slavery in their operations and supply chains. This includes assessing and addressing those risks, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of their response. We have a team of human rights experts passionate about supporting organisations on their counter-modern slavery journey.

Learn more about the modern slavery act

Social Impact and Human Rights Insights

colored stones - modern slavery act australia

Insights

What is the Modern Slavery Act Australia and how to comply?

Global estimates of modern slavery are at 50 million, meaning nearly one in every 150 people in the world is in some form of forced labour or forced marriage. The International Labour Organisation estimates that in Australia there are 15,000 people in slave-like conditions. To address this, in 2018, Australia introduced the Modern Slavery Act…

modern-slavery-in-your-business-human-rights

Insights

How to Address Modern Slavery in your Organisation

Global estimates of modern slavery suggest on any given day, around 50 million people – or nearly one in every 150 people in the world, are in some form of forced labor or forced marriage. In Australia, the 2023 Global Slavery Index estimates that there are over 40,000 people living in modern slavery. These figures…

human rights grievance mechanisms - man making phone call - anthesis

Insights

Evolving Mandatory Due Diligence Laws are Demanding Better Human Rights Grievance Mechanisms and Remediation Pathways in Asia-Pacific

Effective grievance mechanisms and remediation protocols are essential tools for organisations to be aware of to help address and correct their negative human rights and environmental impacts. Ensuring these mechanisms work well is crucial as due diligence regulations tighten and begin extending into the Asia-Pacific region, where globalisation pressures and diverse economic, social, and legal…

modern slavery act reporting – people on train

Insights

Modern Slavery Act Reporting – how to get into a rhythm

Many Australian organisations submitted their first modern slavery statement in March 2021, in line with the Australian Modern Slavery Act (the Act). This is a big milestone and those who made it should be applauded for their progress. It’s now tempting to park this issue until December when the next statements are due, but no rest for the…

Insights

Understanding Anti-Slavery Contract Clauses

Anti-slavery contract clauses are becoming commonplace in supplier contracts and there is no doubt that they can be an effective tool in the anti-slavery toolkit. But the obligations imposed by these clauses can significantly, and sometimes unrealistically, increase the contractual and commercial burdens on suppliers. Often these clauses attempt to pass obligations further down the…

Insights

How To Use Modern Slavery SAQs Effectively

Modern slavery is not a problem that can be solved in the abstract. You have to get to the real humans behind all the risk assessments, slavery statements, and policy updates. Collaborating down chains of supply is a way most organisation’s can take action to help those at risk or in need, and contribute towards…

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