UN convenes Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals

The panel responds to calls from developing countries for global guidance to ensure responsible, fair and just value chains.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres is convening a group of governments and stakeholders in the minerals value chain to develop global principles to safeguard environmental and social standards in the energy transition.

The Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals will address issues relating to equity, transparency, investment, sustainability and human rights.

The list of panel members includes 24 countries including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as 14 non-state actors, including the World Bank, the International Energy Agency and the International Council on Mining and Metals.

'A world powered by renewables is a world hungry for critical minerals,' says Guterres, 'For developing countries, critical minerals are a critical opportunity - to create jobs, diversify economies, and dramatically boost revenues. But only if they are managed properly.'

The UN says that limiting global warming to 1.5°C depends on sufficient, reliable and affordable minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare-earth elements, which are essential for clean energy technologies such as wind turbines, solar panels, electric vehicles and battery storage.