Global leaders are increasingly focusing on the environmental and social risks associated with extracting and processing critical minerals, as the push for a low-carbon future accelerates. At this year’s United Nations climate negotiations in Belém, Brazil, draft language for the first time explicitly addresses the potential harms of expanding supply chains for essential minerals such as copper, cobalt, nickel, and lithium—key components in batteries, solar panels, and other clean energy technologies.
While the language is still under discussion and may not be finalized, it signals growing concern that the transition away from fossil fuels should not come at the cost of replicating environmentally destructive practices. Melissa Marengo, senior policy officer at the Natural Resource Governance Institute, emphasized that the extraction of these minerals often produces impacts that are costly, or even impossible, to remediate.
The draft text proposes a “just transition” approach, recognizing both the social and environmental risks of scaling up mineral supply chains. It also references recent UN recommendations, including the need for transparent supply chains, legacy funds for abandoned mines, and improved recycling and efficiency in mineral use.
Support for the provision comes from the EU and the UK, with backing from Australia, South Africa, Uganda, and Burkina Faso. Advocates aim to expand the language to highlight opportunities for economic diversification for mineral-producing countries, while ensuring that Indigenous peoples’ rights—including free, prior, and informed consent—are respected in projects affecting their lands.
Critical minerals have gained increased attention in capitals such as Washington and Brussels, amid concerns over reliance on supply chains dominated by China. The US and Australia recently agreed to invest jointly in mining and processing projects, while the G7 has launched initiatives to boost critical mineral allocations, with over $1 billion in investments already planned.
The demand for these minerals is expected to surge, potentially tripling by 2030 and quadrupling by 2040, according to the International Energy Agency. However, the environmental and human rights risks are significant, with reports of unsafe working conditions and ecological degradation in mining areas.
Activists and experts argue that without systemic reforms, the global energy transition could replicate the same social and environmental harms historically associated with fossil fuel extraction. Anabella Rosemberg, senior adviser at Climate Action Network International, stressed that the transition must benefit the communities living near mines, protect workers, respect Indigenous lands, and deliver real economic justice for the Global South—not just policy promises on paper.
