By Daniela Bisi, Human Rights Manager ROC & POC, Technip Energies
Daniela Bisi from Technip Energies
Technip Energies, a leading engineering and technology company for the energy transition, values human rights and believes they are crucial for a sustainable future to take care of people working with us. We implement standards and processes to identify, prevent, and address human rights risks. Collaboration with all stakeholders involved in our sector is essential to reach the goal in raising the bar on human rights due to the complexity and transversality of the topic.
Human Rights Due Diligence
Human rights principles at Technip Energies encompass a broad range of topics, including prohibiting any form of child labour, forced labour and modern slavery; prohibiting discrimination in all forms; creating a working environment free from any form of harassment or violence; promoting fair working conditions; promoting ethical recruitment and ensuring a grievance mechanisms to hear from the workers in our operations.
In 2023, Technip Energies issued a Global Human Rights Policy signed by our CEO and developed a comprehensive Human Rights Due Diligence Program. This program is considered into a Human Rights Due Diligence Standard, that applies to all departments and functions across the group to foster a better working environment for people working with us along all the value chain. To identify and mitigate potential human rights risks in our business, we use the steps of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business as our structural governance framework in the Due Diligence Program and structured a strong Governance, having also a dedicated Sustainability Human Rights function responsible for developing and implementing the company's sustainability strategy, policies, and programs related to human rights. We also took a clear external commitment under our ESG scorecard having a KPI for Human Rights mitigation in our eligible projects.
Risk-Based Approach in Operations and Supply Chain
We adopt a risk-based approach to identify and map human rights risks within our operations, implementing effective mitigation measures. To do so, during the tendering phase, we utilize a dedicated Human Rights Risk Mapping Tool. This tool allows us to proactively capture potential risks early in the process, enabling us to address them appropriately throughout project execution.
We expect our suppliers and subcontractors to follow the laws of each country they work in and they must commit to follow the principles of the Technip Energies Code of Business Conduct, the Global Human Rights Policy as well as the Technip Energies Supplier & Subcontractor Integrity Expectations policy when cooperating with us. We also incorporate human rights expectations in contractual clauses in agreements with our value chain to comply with the above. A supply chain monitoring is performed during the execution phase of the project, as a stakeholder engagement moment to assess the level of maturity and provide capacity building opportunity and support our value chain in understanding the importance of tackling human rights and working together to improve workers wellbeing.
Engagement with External Stakeholders – Building Responsibly
TECHNIP ENERGIES is committed to engaging with external stakeholders and actively participates in the Building Responsibly initiative at the industry level. We collaborate with leading companies to create and adopt common principles and guidance that promote workers’ rights. We share best practices and develop tools and resources to support the implementation of the Building Responsibly Principles, which are applied in our projects. We believe in engaging with our stakeholders to promote our vision and principles across the industry. By working together, we can create a more sustainable and responsible industry that benefits everyone involved.
Implementing Workers Welfare Principles on Projects
As part of our Human Rights Due Diligence Program during the execution phase, we appoint a Site Human Rights Officer on eligible projects. This officer is responsible for implementing and managing a Grievance Mechanism, as well as conducting supply chain and contractor monitoring. To provide workers with a safe and secure way to voice their concerns, we have introduced Social Toolbox meetings as an additional communication channel. These meetings are held weekly across the site areas with small group of workers allowing them to raise issues directly related to their working and living conditions, particularly regarding social and labor rights. Finally, Diversity and Inclusion Plans are implemented at the sites, recognizing the crucial role these initiatives play in promoting workers' well-being.
Maximizing Impact by Collaborating with Clients
In 2018 and 2022, Technip Energies was selected to undertake the Engineering, Procurement services and Construction management (EPsCm) contract for the expansion of Neste´s renewables refineries in Singapore and Rotterdam, respectively. The collaboration between Technip Energies and Neste, the leading producer of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), in the execution of both projects demonstrated the power of cooperation between EPC contractors and clients in driving positive change across the sector. By closely collaborating with Neste, Technip Energies was able to amplify its leverage in addressing and resolving issues on site, ensuring more effective and sustainable project outcomes.
Throughout the execution of the Sustainability Program on both projects, close collaboration with Neste proved invaluable, ensuring consistency and alignment on the importance of human rights topics from top down. This partnership enabled us to implement various measures to safeguard the rights of workers on site, including grievance mechanisms, worker inductions, social toolbox meetings, contractor monitoring and social audits, as well as DEI events. When implementing remedial action, our approach aimed at addressing root causes and working collaboratively with stakeholders to develop effective solutions that prioritize the welfare of workers.
The Power of Cooperation with Like-Minded Partners
Working with like-minded partners and clients who share our values and expectations is essential to promoting responsible practices and achieving sustainable outcomes. As part of Building Responsibly, Technip Energies is committed to promoting workers welfare and human rights by sharing Building Responsibly’s mission and principles with stakeholders to protect and enhance worker rights, dignity, and respect through collective business action. We recognize that no company or organization alone can make the change. By sharing our expectations with our stakeholders, we can influence them to improve their practices and promote responsible behavior.
Building Responsibly is a member-led initiative on a mission to protect and enhance worker rights, dignity and respect in the built environment and energy sector through collective business action.
For more information about Technip Energies visit www.ten.com.