Spotlight on Modern Slavery: Why Transparency Matters in the Built Environment

Earlier this month, District ESG Manager Vanessa Masson joined Jamie Hodgson (Hassell), Karlee Blackburn (NH Architecture), Kendall Claus (Introba/Perkins&Will) and Ro Coroneos (Praxis ESG) for the Architects Declare Materials Working Group's Spotlight on Modern Slavery event.

The discussion brought together architects, consultants and sustainability professionals to explore one of the built environment's most complex challenges: understanding and addressing modern slavery risks within global supply chains.

What became clear throughout the session was that this is a shared challenge, and one we're stronger for tackling together.

Looking Beyond Materials

When we talk about modern slavery, we're ultimately talking about people.

As Jamie Hodgson, Sustainable Business Leader at Hassell, outlined during the session, an estimated 28 million people globally are living in forced labour, with a significant proportion of cases linked to industries that support the built environment. Jamie shared insights from a recent project, highlighting the realities of tracing risk through complex supply chains, and reinforcing that responsible specification means looking beyond the finished product to how materials are sourced, processed and manufactured.

Three Actions You Can Take Today

Ro Coroneos from Praxis ESG provided an overview of the evolving global regulatory landscape, the growing push for supply chain transparency and due diligence, and shared three practical steps organisations can start now:

1. Ask suppliers for evidence of traceability, not just policy statements.
2. Prioritise suppliers who can demonstrate visibility across their supply chains.
3. Request evidence of due diligence before specifying products within high-risk categories.

These actions help move the conversation beyond compliance and towards meaningful transparency.

Lessons from Four Years of Reporting

Drawing on District's experience reporting under the Modern Slavery Act, Vanessa Masson shared several key lessons learned over the past four years.

Understand Where Risk Exists

Modern slavery risk varies significantly by country, sector and material category. Identifying where the highest risks sit helps focus investigation and engagement efforts where they can have the greatest impact.

Use Data, But Don't Stop There

Data provides an important foundation, but meaningful outcomes require ongoing supplier engagement. Since implementing the IPRO supplier engagement platform two years ago, District has increased supplier participation by 46%, improving visibility across the supply chain.

ESG Cannot Sit in a Silo

Responsible procurement requires organisational alignment. Environmental, social and governance considerations must be embedded into decision-making processes, with clear policies that act as gatekeepers when sourcing products and selecting suppliers.

Certifications Matter

Third-party certifications remain an important indicator when assessing social compliance and responsible sourcing. Certifications such as GECA, FSC and GOTS can provide valuable assurance when evaluating products and suppliers.

Events like these demonstrate the power of industry collaboration. Modern slavery is not an issue any one organisation can solve alone. Progress depends on sharing knowledge, challenging existing practices and improving transparency across the entire supply chain.

If you'd like to get involved with the Architects Declare Materials Working Group or support its ongoing advocacy work, contact materials@architectsdeclare.com.au.