Australia should approach its renewable energy transition with caution, experts say, amid concerns of labour exploitation in the production of solar panels.
Polysilicon is the most common material used to produce solar panels, and around 45 per cent of the world’s supply comes from Xinjiang, China.
The United Nations says China may be committing crimes against humanity in Xinjiang, with experts accusing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) of exploiting its Uyghur Muslim minority into forced labour to make products including solar panels.
China strongly denies allegations of human rights abuses against its Uyghur Muslim population.