We seek to identify and prevent potential adverse human rights impacts in our operations, and we are committed to remediating impacts should they occur. Our due diligence process includes implementing social impact assessments at all site locations to understand community-focused environmental and social risks, including those related to human rights, and developing mitigation and management plans based on the results of these assessments.
We undertake meaningful consultation with potentially affected groups, and other relevant stakeholders, to understand risks and concerns. We follow stakeholder engagement plans at each site, and conduct regular, proactive engagement and consultation with various stakeholder groups to understand their concerns and provide relevant project information. We have a grievance mechanism in place at all site locations, including procedures to respond to and address stakeholder concerns, from the beginning of project planning and throughout the project life cycle. We log and track community feedback and strive to address concerns in a timely and transparent manner.
We respect the sovereignty, rights and culture of Indigenous peoples. Proactive engagement with these communities, when relevant based on the locations of our operations, is an important element of our overall stakeholder engagement, consultation and grievance processes.
Fair labor: We prohibit the use of forced labor in our operations, in compliance with applicable laws. We do not employ child labor and comply with the employment age requirements set forth in the laws applicable to our operations. We review documentation for all new employees to ensure they are of legal working age. Risks of child labor are relatively low in our own operations, because they are located primarily in the U.S., where strong oversight and protections are in place. We apply due diligence and monitoring processes to attempt to avoid these risks in our supply chain.
Environmental justice: Environmental justice is also an important element of our approach to respecting human rights. In alignment with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Justice, we believe in the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin or income, with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies.
Cheniere is committed to respectfully listening and responding to the concerns of our stakeholders to understand their unique values and interests, including those on environmental issues. We strive to understand and mitigate the impacts of our operations, engage with affected stakeholders and contribute to meaningful economic community development.
We consider environmental justice issues throughout the project life cycle. Our site-specific social impact assessments consider community-focused environmental and social impacts of our operations, including the impact on minority and economically disadvantaged populations and other relevant environmental justice issues. These assessments are guided by international best practices, including the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability and the Equator Principles. Considering and attempting to address potential environmental impacts is included in our targeted stakeholder engagement efforts and grievance processes.
Suppliers and contractors: We strive to work with suppliers, contractors and vendors who promote and comply with our values on human rights, fair labor and environmental protection. Our Supplier Code of Business Conduct outlines our commitments and expectations for suppliers on human rights, fair labor, anti-discrimination, ethics and anti-corruption, and environmental protection, among other topics