Climate Home News’ Post

Critical minerals are - as the name suggests - critical to the clean energy transition. But their supply chains are often rife with human rights abuses and local environmental destruction. ⚠️ It's a complex dilemma, that leads to confusion over whether renewable tech and EVs are truly the sustainable choice due to these impacts. (They are absolutely 100% better than the fossil fuel alternative, but the minerals issue is still a huge problem). I've been thinking about supply chains a lot recently, for two different client projects. It's such a huge issue. So it's really encouraging to hear about this critical minerals traceability pact being developed by Colombia for discussion at COP30 next year. This is more needed than ever as the world's major economies aim to triple renewable capacity by 2030, which will triple the global demand for many critical minerals. We need careful and responsible stewardship of these minerals- and that starts with traceability as the first step. What do you think? https://lnkd.in/eyaEKdis

Déjà vu in the energy transition?! As we dig up critical minerals, there’s more at stake than ever. If COP keeps missing the mark on Indigenous rights and local ecosystem, we are just mining old mistakes! My latest opinion piece breaks down why we need to get it right this time to truly achieve a sustainable energy transition - give it a read to see what’s on the line! The Energy Network timely piece with our event on social impact of energy transition next week!

🔌 Energy Day at COP29 Azerbaijan – the energy transition paradox and lithium mining ⛏️ As the largest contributor to #GHGemissions, energy is a key priority for global #climateaction. Building on the outcomes of the previous year, #COP29 aims to move towards implementation of existing agreements and provide an opportunity for stakeholders to make collective progress.     Jan Brusselaers, ASI Member and an Assistant Professor at the Environmental Economics department at IVM Institute for Environmental Studies, co-authored a paper with Leander Wolters on the topic of energy transition that was published earlier this year by The Extractive Industries and Society Journal.   🔋 Their research explores the socio-environmental impacts of lithium mining in the context of the EU’s #energytransition, identifying key leverage points to mitigate the tension between energy security and justice concerns. The study highlights the need to rethink the transport system and reduce demand for lithium to mitigate its negative impacts on the environment and local communities, emphasizing the importance of good governance and stakeholder involvement in the lithium value chain. ♻️ The importance of good governance is emphasized to avoid issues associated with resource extraction, such as geopolitical tension and corruption. The authors conclude that a circular economy scenario, where lithium is recovered from used batteries, is the most favorable.     Read the full article here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dxR_JdnS Find out more about Jan’s research here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dK76E8XE 

Join me at this NY Climate Week event next month! https://lnkd.in/gK8m3KUM Addressing the Human and Environmental Costs of Mining for EVs NYC #ClimateWeek Event Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2 p.m. EST The Peoples’ Forum 320 W 37th St As governments and companies transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, minerals and other physical materials are needed to build new technologies, such as solar panels, electric vehicle batteries, and windmills. While the transition is essential, if not carried out in a rights-respecting way, the extraction, transportation, and processing of transition minerals threatens human rights and the environment. Mining, including open-pit mining, can permanently damage ecosystems, make air unbreathable and water undrinkable, forcibly displace local communities, and threaten the rights of Indigenous Peoples, whose lands are home to a majority of transition mineral projects. A just, sustainable transition to renewable energy should fully respect human rights and international law, including the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. This panel event will discuss the human and environmental costs of mining and processing transition minerals, with a focus on the impacts on Indigenous Peoples, as well as key solutions to advance environmental and climate justice. Speakers: Moderator: Krista Shennum, Climate Rights International Alejandro Gonzalez, SOMO Payal Sampat, EARTHWORKS Galina Angarova, SIRGE Coalition Don Clemente Flores For examples of work on transition minerals and human rights, see the Climate Rights International report, “Nickel Unearthed: The Human and Climate Costs of Indonesia’s Nickel Industry” http://%20Unearthed:%20The%20Human%20and%20Climate%20Costs%20of%20Indonesia’s%20Nickel%20Industry

Launched at #COP16, Colombia’s proposal for new framework for traceable and transparent mining is a significant milestone, placing producing countries at the forefront to address critical economic, social, and environmental challenges. It also demands global accountability. As highlighted by NRGI’s Suneeta Kaimal, the agreement presents a unique opportunity to ensure that climate action translates into tangible benefits for communities while preserving our environment and biodiversity. A holistic and multi-stakeholder approach will be vital in designing this framework, ensuring that it meets the needs of those most affected by the mining sector. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e3jF4uYU

#Environment | It is an unbelievable time. Despite COP28’s commitment to phase out fossil fuels, there are no signs that we will stop extracting oil and gas, and we continue to extract greater quantities of minerals for development and the energy transition. In the process, we run rough-shod over local communities, indigenous peoples and the environment. In this article Simon Taylor, Saswati S., Mike McCormack, Patrick Bond, and Rahul Basu explain how the current system is clearly unfair and relates to a deeply moral issue: What kind of planet and society are we leaving our children and future generations? Read here to learn more. https://lnkd.in/dhfYeDYz

A few quick takeaways from the roundtable hosted yesterday by UN SG António Guterres Critical Energy Transition Minerals: 💪 The SG expressed unwavering support for the Panel’s work in full: “We are totally committed to, in the context of all of the intergovernmental processes and initiatives we can take, to move forward with all of your recommendations.” 📝 Selwin Hart noted that consultations are underway to set up the High Level Advisory Group on value addition, benefit sharing and economic diversification in the first quarter of 2025. 🌐 Brazil pledged to “elevate critical minerals on the COP30 agenda” – providing a valuable pathway for future work. See my full remarks here:  https://lnkd.in/eT9wENWw Astounded by the number of transition mineral events at every turn and more to come...

Big win for sustainability today! 🌍🙌 The High Court has just halted the UK's first new coal mine in three decades planned for Whitehaven, Cumbria. This landmark decision puts a full stop to West Cumbria Mining's project, ensuring no net increase in greenhouse gas emissions. As Mr Justice Holgate rightly pointed out, the assumption of it being a net zero mine is legally flawed. This ruling comes on the heels of the Supreme Court's critical decision requiring thorough climate impact assessments for fossil fuel projects. Friends of the Earth's senior lawyer, Niall Toru, stated that this could have global repercussions, given similar cases abroad. It's a clear signal that the tide is turning against fossil fuel projects. For those of us committed to a sustainable future, this is a major step forward! 🌱 Let's discuss! What are your thoughts on this judgement and its possible international impact? Visit netzeroevolution.com to learn more about how we can support your sustainability goals. ✅#Sustainability ✅#ClimateChange ✅#CleanEnergy

#NRGI President and CEO #SuneetaKaimal at #COP29 in Baku: “And here in Azerbaijan authorities have wrongfully imprisoned advocates for fair and transparent governance of natural resources. We call for their immediate and unconditional release.” Setting an example for what moral courage and leadership looks like, for the many political leaders and others with influence gathered in Baku - #UNFCCC and member states, #EU, #UK, #US, #EBRD, #WorldBank, and companies with business interests in Azerbaijan to follow! #DemandRightsatCOP #FreeGubad

In this article I explore lithium as a critical mineral in the energy transition. However, its extraction in host communities is marred with human rights violations, environmental degradation and is driving social inequality. For a truly "just" energy transition there is need for policies that promote all forms of justice, equity and human rights.Without stringent policies, monitoring and transparency the production of transition minerals will simply add to the "resource curse" for Zimbabwe. Yet, Zimbabwes Mines and Minerals Act falls short in addressing these concerns.