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Introduction

This Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement relates to actions and activities during the financial year ending 31 December 2024 onwards.

Gaia Energy Brokers Limited (“Gaia Energy Brokers Limited,” “we,” “us,” “our”) takes a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and human trafficking in all its forms. We strive to act with integrity and transparency in all business dealings and to put in place effective systems and controls to safeguard against any form of modern slavery taking place in our churches, in our business and in our supply chains. We all have a duty to be alert to risks, however small. Everyone in Gaia Energy Brokers Limited has an obligation to report their concerns so that management can address them.

There are several types of modern slavery. Human trafficking, forced labour, debt bondage and bonded labour, slavery based on descent (where people are born into it), child slavery, early and forced marriage, and domestic servitude are the most prevalent. Slavery comes in numerous forms, but they all involve the coercive exploitation of the most defenceless individuals. Most often, this is due to their exclusion and poverty, and when legal systems break down and fail to adequately protect the vulnerable.

People can be particularly vulnerable to modern slavery when external circumstances push them into taking risky decisions in search of opportunities to provide for their families, or when people find they are simply pushed into jobs in exploitative conditions. Anyone could be pressed into forced labour, but people in vulnerable situations – such as being in debt, or not having access to their passport – are particularly at risk. Crises like the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change can make people even more vulnerable to exploitation.

According to the 2021 Global Estimates, there are 49.6 million individuals in modern slavery on any given day; of these, 27.6 million are involved in forced labour, and 22 million are in forced marriages.

The Global Slavery Index estimates that 122,000 people in the UK are victims of modern slavery. Only 3,998 of these potential victims were referred to the Home Office between April and June 2023 (National Referral Mechanism).

Our Organisational Structure

Gaia Energy Brokers Limited is a Limited Company Registered in England & Wales. No. 08454140. This statement covers the business activities of all Gaia Energy Brokers Limited activities.

Our Policies

We are dedicated to identifying and preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in our supply chains and business dealings. We have essential policies in place to help us put effective processes and controls in place to lessen the likelihood that modern slavery may occur within our business or in our supply chain.

The following policies set down our approach to the identification of modern slavery risks and steps to be taken, to prevent slavery and human trafficking in our operations:

  • Whistleblowing policy: We encourage the reporting of suspected wrongdoing as soon as possible, including instances of modern slavery and human trafficking.
  • Anti-Bribery, and Fraud policy: Our policies outline our position on bribery, corruption, and fraud as well as how we will prevent, identify, report, and investigate such crimes.
  • HR and Employment Policies: We commit to being a Real Living Wage Employer.
  • Procurement Policy: Gaia Energy Brokers Limited is developing a policy to establish the factors which must be followed when selecting suppliers to assist in ensuring that a good business partner is selected and includes supplier reputation and compliance with relevant laws and ethical procedures. 
  • Modern Slavery Policy: Gaia Energy Brokers Limited will implement a policy overseeing the approach and process towards managing and minimising the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking from occurring in our supply chain

Training

We recognise that it is everyone’s responsibility to safeguard others and we need to ensure that people holding specific roles and responsibilities are specifically equipped to protect vulnerable groups.

Due Diligence processes for slavery and human trafficking

To help identify and monitor the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking in our supply chain, we commit to reviewing our existing suppliers in accordance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Gaia Energy Brokers Limited’s due diligence process includes building long-standing relationships with suppliers and making clear our expectations of business partners. We commit to include anti-slavery and human trafficking provisions in all our contracts with suppliers. Where we discover we have been engaging in business with a supplier in support of modern slavery and/or human trafficking, all ties will be immediately cut.

Actions and future commitments

To reduce the possibility of modern slavery or human trafficking occurring in our organisation and supply chain, we plan to implement the additional steps listed below:

  • Continue to uphold related polices aforementioned and implement a Gaia Energy Brokers Limited Modern Slavery policy, ensuring we undertake training and awareness raising.
  • Review existing contracts, to improve the visibility of our key supplier relationships and terms.
  • Ensure that new contracts have relevant modern slavery clauses included in them.