The UN wants to stop the race for key raw materials needed for the energy transition. A team of experts convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres estimates that demand will nearly triple by 2030. This suggests how sustainable and environmentally sound extraction of these raw materials and fair access for all countries can be ensured.
This is about the minerals needed for clean energy, whether it’s wind turbines, solar panels, electric cars or battery storage. These include rare earths, lithium, copper, nickel and cobalt.
Fairness and Human Rights
Our team of experts demonstrates how fairness, transparency, sustainability and human rights can be maintained throughout the entire value chain, including mining, refining, transport and recycling.
At the 2023 COP28 World Climate Conference, countries agreed to triple the capacity of renewable energy and double energy efficiency by 2030. That means reducing energy demand. This is to reduce the use of climate-damaging fossil fuels. The goal is to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, keeping the impacts of climate change as low as possible.
Opportunity for poor countries
Many important raw materials are found in poor countries. According to the team of experts, the energy transition should be an opportunity to further process natural resources, create jobs and stimulate the economy, rather than simply export raw materials.
In poor countries, many important raw materials are found as mineral resources. (Archive image) Photo: Jurgen Bätz/dpa
First of all, I recommend a mechanism within the UN to coordinate dialogue among all interest groups. Global standards should also be developed to trace the origin and processing of minerals. This fund is intended to provide funding for the professional decommissioning of abandoned mines. Small-scale entrepreneurs should be empowered to work in this field.
