Securing critical energy transition minerals for a net-zero future

Over half of critical mineral projects are on or near Indigenous Peoples’ land, and some 70 percent of cobalt resources are in areas with high environmental, social, and governance challenges.

Concerns include production concentrations, supply chain disruptions, and potential mineral depletion in the energy transition, necessitating a change in the demand curve through circularity.

This all means that long-term strategies are crucial for securing supplies, ensuring equitable clean energy transition, environmental sustainability, human rights protection, ending energy poverty, rebalancing demand, addressing water pollution, land degradation, Indigenous Peoples rights, and generating income for sustainable development.

Long-term resource efficiency and circular economy policies are crucial for maximizing the lifespan of energy transition minerals, benefiting host economies and local communities through infrastructure for reuse and recovery.