As the global community pushes forward with the energy transition, the spotlight is no longer solely on solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles. Increasingly, attention is turning to the raw materials that make these technologies possible: lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, and rare earth elements.
These critical minerals are the lifeblood of a decarbonized future. But extracting them comes with profound ethical, environmental, and geopolitical challenges — ones that the current patchwork of national regulations and voluntary standards may not be equipped to handle.
The Dilemma of Demand
According to the International Energy Agency, the demand for energy transition minerals is set to quadruple by 2040 under current climate pledges. For technologies like batteries and permanent magnets, this means a staggering increase in extraction and global trade.
Yet, much of this mining happens in countries with weak governance, limited labor protections, and fragile ecosystems. From cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo to lithium brine operations in South America, the rush for minerals often mirrors the worst aspects of the fossil fuel economy — local communities bearing the cost while the benefits flow elsewhere.
Is It Time for a Global Treaty?
This growing concern has prompted calls for a new kind of international agreement: a global treaty on energy transition minerals. Such a treaty would aim to harmonize standards for environmental protection, human rights, labor conditions, and transparency across the mining and supply chain.
Supporters argue that without global coordination, we risk undermining the very purpose of the energy transition — building a fairer, cleaner world — by replacing one form of environmental degradation with another.
A treaty could also help manage geopolitical tensions. As countries compete for access to strategic resources, especially in regions like Africa and Latin America, a cooperative framework could promote stability and equitable development.
Industry Pushback and Practical Hurdles
However, not everyone agrees. Mining companies and some resource-rich governments worry that a global treaty might slow down development, impose overly burdensome requirements, or infringe on national sovereignty. Others point out the challenges of enforcing such an agreement in a fragmented international landscape.
Still, the alternative may be worse: a disorderly scramble for resources that fuels inequality, corruption, and environmental damage — all under the guise of sustainability.
A Just Transition Begins at the Source
The global energy transition cannot be truly just unless it includes the communities where the transition begins — at the mine, not just the marketplace. Whether through a formal treaty or stronger regional cooperation, the world urgently needs robust mechanisms to ensure that our green future is not built on the backs of the vulnerable.
As we chart the course to net-zero, it’s time to ask hard questions about how we get there — and who pays the price along the way.
Read the full article here: https://www.climatechangenews.com/2025/05/26/does-the-world-need-a-global-treaty-on-energy-transition-minerals/