Critical minerals or ‘energy transition minerals’ are the minerals the world needs to rapidly decarbonise our economies if we are to meet our ambitions of limiting global heating by 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Minerals, like lithium, copper, cobalt and nickel are essential to manufacturing the clean energy technologies, such as solar panels, electric vehicles and wind turbines.
The shift towards clean energy technologies is a major driver of the growing global demand for minerals across all commodities.
Global decarbonisation efforts and the transition to net zero can bring important opportunities, including the achievement of climate goals and new revenue streams for governments. But at what costs?
While this growing demand brings significant opportunities for economic growth, increased mining activity worldwide exacerbates existing and poses new governance, environmental, human rights and social risks
Ensuring strong governance frameworks is an urgent and crucial task to ensure that the energy transition is achieved without further costing the Earth and the local communities at the sites of extraction.
Transparency International’s Accountable Mining Program collaborates with mining companies, governments, and communities to enhance business integrity and mitigate corruption risks through strengthening the governance of the mining sector.
Our focus on critical minerals is designed to support companies, governments and communities working with this rapidly growing and dynamic market.
