- International industry bodies should seek to promote the vital importance of critical minerals and the mining sector for meeting climate targets to ensure mining is part of relevant conversations, including at COP29. Being present in climate-related forums may enable the industry to better engage with the climate policy space and other key stakeholders such as multilateral development banks (MDBs) on the need for the critical mineral production to meet the demands of the green transition. Highlighting the industry’s role in the green transition and promoting its efforts to decarbonise and address ESG concerns could also help improve public and political perceptions of mining. Developing relevant taxonomies could also help further this narrative.
- The term ‘critical minerals’ is inherently competitive which enhances geopolitical tensions and potentially undermines efforts to cooperate internationally. As climate change and the green transition are global issues the term should be reconsidered to facilitate collaborative working. The UN Secretary General has adopted the term ‘critical energy transition minerals’[3] and ‘transition minerals’ was suggested as a more appropriate expression that emphasises their importance for the green transition.
- A wider discussion about what is meant by renewable versus green energy would help ensure all options that lower emissions whilst not necessarily being renewables-based are included in the conversation.
