As climate change accelerates and the global demand for natural resources intensifies, the United Nations (UN) is once again urging the international community to address the urgent need for sustainability. Secretary-General António Guterres has sounded the alarm, emphasizing that the future of the planet depends on collective action. During his recent address at the launch of a crucial report by the UN High-Level Advisory Board on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, Guterres outlined the growing need for responsible and equitable management of these resources, particularly as they play an essential role in the global shift toward renewable energy.
The report, titled Resourcing the Energy Transition: Principles to Guide Critical Energy Transition Minerals Toward Equity and Justice, provides a comprehensive roadmap to ensure that the global drive toward clean energy is grounded in fairness, justice, and sustainability. The document not only highlights the need to accelerate the transition but also underscores the importance of ensuring that resource-rich developing countries benefit from this transformation. Guterres called the report “a how-to guide to help generate prosperity and equality alongside clean power,” highlighting the dual goals of economic growth and environmental stewardship.
The rising demand for critical minerals in renewable energy technologies
One of the key points the report makes is the growing demand for minerals essential for renewable energy technologies, such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements. These minerals are the backbone of clean energy technologies, including wind turbines, solar panels, electric vehicles, and battery storage. As the global push for renewable energy intensifies, so too does the demand for these minerals. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the demand for minerals critical to clean energy applications is expected to almost triple by 2030 if the world is to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
This surge in demand creates both opportunities and challenges for the global community. Resource-rich developing nations, in particular, stand to benefit from the energy transition, but only if their resources are managed responsibly. Guterres cautioned that without proper oversight, the rush to secure these minerals could lead to environmental degradation, human rights abuses, and economic inequality.
Ensuring equity and justice in the renewable energy transition
At the heart of the report are seven guiding principles designed to ensure that the global energy transition is carried out in a manner that promotes justice, equity, and sustainable development. Ambassador Nozipho Mxakato-Diseko, Co-Chair of the Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, stressed the need for international cooperation, noting that “we either sink together or rise together” in tackling the climate crisis. The panel highlighted that the pursuit of renewable energy should not come at the cost of the environment, human rights, or economic equity.
The report’s recommendations call for greater transparency, fairness, and investment across the entire mineral value chain, from extraction to recycling. This includes ensuring that mining activities are carried out in a way that protects local communities and the environment, and that resource-rich nations benefit from the development of their natural resources. It also emphasizes the importance of ensuring that those involved in the mining and processing of these minerals are paid fair wages and work in safe conditions.
The panel also recommended the establishment of a high-level expert advisory group housed within the UN to facilitate multistakeholder policy dialogue and coordination on economic issues in mineral value chains. This group would be responsible for addressing the challenges that arise as countries scale up their renewable energy capacity, including issues related to labor, environmental protection, and human rights.
The role of governments and the private sector
The UN’s report emphasizes that governments have a critical role to play in ensuring that the energy transition is both equitable and sustainable. This includes enacting policies that promote responsible mining practices and providing financial support to countries that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The report also stresses the importance of the private sector in driving innovation and investment in renewable energy technologies.
Director-General Ditte Juul Jørgensen, Co-Chair of the Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, noted the importance of turning these principles into actionable strategies, stating, “We must now seize the opportunity to grow our economies, protect our societies, preserve our environment, and share benefits more justly while we tackle the climate crisis.” She added that the transition to renewable energy represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create shared benefits for all, but only if it is done responsibly.
One key recommendation is the creation of a global traceability, transparency, and accountability framework. This would ensure that the sourcing and use of critical minerals are done in a manner that respects human rights and environmental standards. Such a framework would also help prevent the exploitation of workers and communities in resource-rich nations and ensure that profits from the extraction of these minerals are fairly distributed.
Addressing legacy issues and empowering artisanal and small-scale miners
The report also touches on the importance of addressing legacy issues associated with the mining industry. Many mining operations have left behind a trail of environmental damage, abandoned mines, and derelict infrastructure. To address these issues, the UN panel recommends the creation of a dedicated fund to rehabilitate abandoned mines and other damaged sites. This would not only help to restore ecosystems but also provide employment opportunities for local communities.
The report also advocates for the empowerment of artisanal and small-scale miners, who often work in precarious conditions with little oversight or support. The panel called for policies that would help these miners become agents of transformation in the renewable energy transition, including access to training, financial support, and better working conditions. By formalizing artisanal mining operations and providing them with the tools they need to succeed, countries can foster sustainable development and promote environmental stewardship.
The need for circularity and material efficiency
Another key point in the report is the need to strengthen material efficiency and promote circularity in the use of critical minerals. The transition to renewable energy will require vast amounts of raw materials, and the panel emphasized the importance of reusing and recycling these materials to reduce waste and minimize the environmental impact of mining. By promoting the circular economy, countries can reduce their reliance on new mining operations and ensure that the transition to renewable energy is as sustainable as possible.
The panel called for stronger international cooperation on recycling technologies and the establishment of policies that encourage the reuse of materials in renewable energy technologies. This includes incentivizing companies to design products that are easier to recycle and providing financial support for research and development into new recycling technologies.
Looking ahead to COP29: A critical moment for climate action
As the world prepares for COP29, the UN is pushing for stronger commitments from world leaders to accelerate the energy transition and address the challenges posed by climate change. The report calls on governments to strengthen their commitments under the Paris Agreement and take concrete steps to reduce carbon emissions. Guterres has asked the Co-Chairs and the panel to socialize the report and its recommendations with Member States and other stakeholders ahead of the upcoming climate summit.
The stakes have never been higher. With demand for critical energy transition minerals expected to triple by 2030, the global community must act quickly to ensure that the transition to renewable energy is carried out in a manner that promotes equity, justice, and sustainability. The UN’s report provides a clear roadmap for achieving these goals, but it will require bold leadership, international cooperation, and a commitment to shared values.
As Guterres noted, “The decisions we make today will determine the future of our planet for generations to come.” The world stands at a crossroads, and the choices made in the coming years will have a lasting impact on the environment, human rights, and global development. The path ahead requires collective action and a shared commitment to building a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
The UN’s latest report on the energy transition serves as a crucial reminder that the shift toward renewable energy must be grounded in justice and equity. By implementing the recommendations outlined in the report, countries can ensure that the benefits of the energy transition are shared by all, while protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development. As the world moves toward COP29, the need for bold and decisive action has never been more urgent. The time to act is now, and the future of the planet depends on it.
 is once again urging the international community to address the urgent need for sustainability. Secretary-General António Guterres has sounded the alarm, emphasizing that the future of the planet depends on collective action. During his recent address at the launch of a crucial report by the UN High-Level Advisory Board on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, Guterres outlined the growing need for responsible and equitable management of these resources, particularly as they play an essential role in the global shift toward renewable energy.){kind=link}