Allocating child labor in resource production to the global transport sector

Abstract

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8 targets the eradication of child labor by 2050. Despite this goal, approximately 160 million children globally are engaged in child labor, with 79 million involved in hazardous work and 16.5 million in industrial sectors. Over a million children work in mining, which exposes them to significant health and safety risks and deprives them of educational opportunities. The anticipated increase in demand for minerals used in electric vehicles and batteries by 2040 will further elevate social risks in supply chains. This study quantifies the responsibility pathways of child labor within the transport equipment sectors in China, Germany, Japan, and the United States to enhance the management of human rights due to diligence. A multi-regional input–output (MRIO) model was developed to analyze child labor across agriculture, industry, and service categories, incorporating newly collected data on mining-related child labor. They also highlighted a significant link between child labor and gold mining operations. These findings underscore the urgent need to improve due diligence practices and investments in technologies that promote fair-trade and ethical sourcing. By recognizing interindustry connections and prioritizing ethical practices, this study establishes a foundation for future efforts to enhance transparency and sustainability in the transport equipment sector.