Global Council for Responsible Transition Minerals’ Post

On September 11, a UN-convened panel released key recommendations to guide governments and industry in ensuring that the global energy transition, driven by the demand for critical minerals, is pursued with equity, justice, and sustainability. The recommendations aim to support fair value chains for essential minerals like copper, lithium, and cobalt, which are vital for clean energy technologies. Key Points: - The report emphasizes fairness and justice across mineral value chains to foster sustainable development and respect human rights. - It proposes a global framework for transparency, accountability, and traceability to ensure responsible mining and mineral use. - Developing countries with large mineral reserves are encouraged to seize the opportunity to create green jobs and diversify their economies. The UN Secretary-General called for these principles to be discussed with member states ahead of COP29. Follow Global Regulatory Insights for more updates on global energy and sustainability policies now! #EnergyTransition #Sustainability #CleanEnergy #RenewableEnergy #CriticalMinerals #UN #ClimateAction #GRI #COP29

🔍 The EU's pursuit of critical minerals raises significant concerns about fairness and sustainability. 🤔 Instead of addressing its overconsumption issue, the EU is seeking unequal trade deals with resource-rich countries in the Global South. This approach to trade partnerships needs a thorough rethink. 🌎 🤝 The EU must move beyond a supply-focused perspective and consider global justice, the #greentransition, and the rights of #indigenouspeople. Simply phasing out the fossil-fuel-based economy is not enough to halt the multiple planetary crises we face. Did you know? ⭕ Global resource extraction and processing account for 60% of #climatechange impacts. ⭕ They are responsible for 40% of #airpollution. ⭕ And they contribute to 90% of water stress and land-related #biodiversityloss. It's time for a more equitable and sustainable approach. Learn more about how the EU can have a trade policy on #rawmaterials that truly supports a green and #justtransition 👉 https://lnkd.in/eyB5RJNa Building on this discussion, join our roundtable next week at the OECD - OCDE Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains to address inequalities in resource use ➡ https://lnkd.in/egYnXX9z SOMO Publish What You Pay Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Fern NGO AFREWATCH African Resources Watch

📣 Harnessing Critical Energy Transition Minerals for a Sustainable Development 📣 At COP29, a key discussion highlighted the role of critical energy transition minerals in creating a sustainable global energy future. The UN Secretary-General’s Panel presented Global Guiding Principles to guide the energy transition, focusing on sustainability, governance, and equitable development. 📑 Key Insights: 1. Chile's Role in Energy Transition Minerals Chile emphasized the importance of strengthening institutions and ensuring community involvement in mineral extraction. Early integration of environmental and social concerns into legal frameworks is essential for sustainable resource management. 2. Africa’s Efforts for Sustainable Mineral Value Chains The African Mining Vision aims to build equitable mineral value chains. Initiatives like the DRC-Zambia Electric Vehicle Battery Initiative focus on keeping value within Africa and improving regional cooperation to support a fair energy transition. 3. Human Rights and Governance in Mineral Policies Human rights must be a central focus in mineral policies, ensuring equitable access, environmental protection, and community benefits. Tools like the EITI ensure transparency and accountability in the mining process. 4. Mozambique’s Renewable Energy Approach Mozambique is working to improve governance and local participation in renewable energy projects, with a focus on transparency and international compliance. 5. Collaboration and Funding for a Just Transition The success of these principles relies on regional ownership, local participation, and funding mechanisms aligned with sustainability goals. Multilateral collaboration is essential to maximize the benefits of critical minerals for all. 🔎 Looking Forward The conversation at COP29 emphasized the need for strong governance, local engagement, and global cooperation to ensure that the extraction of critical minerals contributes to a sustainable and fair energy transition. By working together, we can create a resilient, equitable, and sustainable future for all.   #COP29 #ClimateAction #Sustainability #ClimateSummit #GlobalClimateAction #SustainableFuture #BakuClimateSummit #GreenFuture #ClimateChange

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥-𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐀𝐒𝐌) 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐍 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬 Artisanal and small-scale miners (ASMs) are often unfairly stigmatized by Hollywood portrayals, such as those seen in "Blood Diamond," which fail to reflect the complexities and potential of these essential players in the global supply chain. It’s time to change this narrative and ensure that responsible ASMs do not face unnecessary barriers to participating in OECD markets. 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐁2𝐁 platforms provide a powerful means to drive this change. Unlike current practices that are often opaque and exploitative, these platforms offer ASMs better market values by enhancing transparency, traceability, and providing direct access to a wider range of buyers. These are typically certified to #fairtrade, #fairmined, or equivalent standards. By using AI to analyse traceability data and financial transactions, these platforms can link sustainable actions to economic incentives, such as access to capital, buyback guarantees, better market rates, and modern technology tools. As highlighted in the 𝐔𝐍’𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, "𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘌𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘛𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘌𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦," digital platforms can empower ASMs to: • 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐘𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐀𝐝𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Promote sustainable mining practices that increase production efficiency by 10-25%. • 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬: Ensure fair wages, safer working conditions, and greater financial stability. • 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭: Facilitate responsible sourcing and resource management, aligning with global climate goals. • 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬: Ensure all stakeholders are informed and empowered in the marketplace. By following the 7 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬 outlined by the UN, we can ensure that ASMs are not just part of the energy transition but active, respected participants in a more equitable and sustainable global supply chain. At #Sabi, we support this initiative by empowering the traders and aggregators working closely with ASMs mining critical minerals across West and South Africa. Through our 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦, we provide end-to-end solutions for trading, logistics, finance, #traceability, and #sustainability. “By integrating ASMs into transparent digital supply chains, we are not only transforming markets but also breaking down the barriers that have long hindered their growth and sustainability. Sabi is proud to support our partners and miners in becoming vital contributors to the global #energytransition." — James Murray, Head of Critical Minerals, Sabi

Colombia and Brazil have launched a push for a new binding global treaty on traceability for the critical minerals needed for the clean energy transition along their entire supply chain – from mining to recycling. The two countries announced the initiative on the sidelines of the COP16 UN biodiversity summit in the Colombian city of Cali this week. Their plan is to come up with a proposal for the pact by the COP30 UN climate conference to be held in Belém, Brazil, in November 2025. The initiative picks up on one of the recommendations issued by a UN panel on critical minerals in September, which urged countries to create such a transparency platform to help ensure fair and sustainable extraction of minerals for clean energy supply chains.

🌍 Yesterday, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals (CETM) Report was officially launched during COP29 at a high-level meeting on Resourcing the Energy Transition with Justice and Equity. As part of this launch, the Secretary-General announced the formation of a high-level expert group to advance key recommendations around benefit sharing, value addition, and economic diversification. This is an important milestone, particularly for developing countries, which will play a leading role. Indigenous Peoples, local communities, youth, civil society, industry, and trade unions will also be integral to this process, working closely with governments to ensure local resources foster greater equity and justice. The launch also marks a significant step forward in implementing a global traceability, transparency, and accountability framework for the entire mineral value chain—a critical piece in driving sustainable development and just transition practices. It’s encouraging to see progress since the UNSG CETM panel was announced at COP28 in Dubai. I’m incredibly proud to have worked alongside inspiring colleagues to shape the future of climate change and minerals in the energy transition. Yet, this is only the beginning. For #COP29 to achieve meaningful impact, we must push for concessional finance that supports transition mineral-producing countries in the Global South, addressing key challenges in value addition, energy, infrastructure, and skilled labor. A coalition of civil society organizations, including Natural Resource Governance Institute, Climate Action Network International , Publish What You Pay SIRGE Coalition, EU Raw Materials Coalition, EARTHWORKS, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre and Oxfam has issued a joint statement on the report. #COP29 #EnergyTransition #justice #equity #ClimateJustice #climatechange ##MineralValueChain #UN

Researchers from the University of Cape Town have developed a new set of tools to support mine closure planning. In South Africa, where unemployment is high – and many people rely on the fossil fuel industry for their livelihood – rapid mining divestment would impact millions. These new tools from UCT enable the ethical closure of mines, limiting social impact and adding to a growing body of global research with a uniquely South African perspective. Balancing the green energy transition with socially sustainable business practices is an important ESG principle. Learn more about the importance of sustainable investment: https://lnkd.in/dRhqg9zq

At #COP29, NRGI president & CEO Suneeta Kaimal spoke alongside UN Secretary-General António Guterres, heads of state and other international leaders as they discussed next steps for the Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals. The event explored the panel's guidance and actions for securing the minerals needed for the energy transition while ensuring a fair and inclusive approach. Kaimal highlighted three key dimensions for making mineral supply chains more just and equitable: 🔹Advancing value addition, benefit-sharing and economic diversification. 🔹Addressing how corruption harms both people and the planet. 🔹The centrality of human rights and multi-stakeholder participation in shaping a new mining paradigm. 📹 Watch the recording and read her full remarks here: https://lnkd.in/eBjBdgXC

🌍 As the world focuses on a sustainable future at #COP29 in Baku, the energy transition and its critical mineral demands are at the forefront. 🌱 Yesterday, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals launched new guidance to help shape responsible, secure supply chains. 🔹 UNICRI’s Strategic Framework supports this mission by addressing the complex risks of illegal mining, environmental harm, and human rights abuses across the mineral value chain. ➡️ 🔗 Click the link to learn more about our framework in detail! bit.ly/3zwOXt6 #COP29 #SustainableMining #EnvironmentalProtection #CriticalMinerals #Illegalmining Matthew Burnett-Stuart, Maëlle Délen, Marco Musumeci

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