We joined the recommendations made by more than 200 civil society organisations, including Indigenous Peoples groups, unions and labour activists, and climate, environmental justice, child rights, and human rights organisations, in describing how a transformative approach to transition minerals can contribute to a more just global energy system.

The recommendations aim to inform the work of the recently established UN Secretary-General's Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals. The panel was established earlier this April to develop global principles to ensure that supplying the minerals needed to phase out fossil fuels advances justice, equity, and human rights.

The panel has thirty-eight members, and 24 countries and 14 other organizations are working across the critical transition mineral value chain. Its main objective is strengthening international standards to embrace justice and establishing social and environmental safeguards in the energy transition.

At the panel's launch, the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres declared that "a world powered by renewables is a world hungry for critical minerals. Critical minerals are a critical opportunity for developing countries to create jobs, diversify economies, and dramatically boost revenues. But only if they are managed properly. The race to net zero cannot trample over the poor. The renewables revolution is happening – but we must guide it towards justice."

Together with the group of civil society organisations, we will monitor the panel's outcomes and advocate for the adoption of the recommendations that would allow the panel to deliver on its mandate. 

You can read civil society’s recommendations here.