UN Initiates Effort to Protect Vital Minerals Amid Energy Transition

Saturday 27 April 2024 - 12:00

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, announced on Friday the establishment of an Expert Group on Essential Minerals for Energy Transition.

This groundbreaking initiative brings together a diverse group of governments, organizations, and UN bodies to develop a set of common and voluntary principles aimed at protecting environmental and social standards while integrating justice into the energy transition, the international organization stated in a press release.

Speaking at the group's launch, Mr. Guterres emphasized that "a world powered by renewable energy is a world hungry for essential minerals."

For developing countries, this new demand presents a significant opportunity to create new jobs, diversify economies, and significantly increase revenue, he continued, underscoring the need for effective management.

"The renewable energy revolution is underway, but we must ensure that it is pursued in a manner that leads us towards justice," he insisted.

Guterres had announced his intention to establish this group during the Climate Summit COP28, held in Dubai last December. It is expected to provide initial recommendations ahead of the high-level week of the United Nations General Assembly in September.

According to the UN, as the climate emergency worsens, the demand for essential minerals used in renewable energy technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles (EVs) is skyrocketing.

According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the demand for lithium, for example, which is crucial for battery production, electronic devices, and high-performance electric vehicles, is projected to increase by over 1,500%.

A similar surge in demand is predicted for nickel, cobalt, and copper, according to the same source.