Critical minerals, international policy and a just energy transition

IIED Debates

Join us to explore the international policy processes that are shaping critical mineral activities in the context of the energy transition.

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1-2.30pm GMT
Online, via Zoom
Last updated 8 January 2025
Sign in a field pointing to a cobalt mine in the DRC

A majority of the world’s estimated cobalt reserves are in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with 10-30% of its annual production mined artisanally (Photo: Fairphone, via Flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0)

The growing global demand for 'critical minerals' has soared in recent years, with materials such as lithium, cobalt and nickel being essential in the production of many technologies in the green energy transition.

Governments in consumer and processing countries are seeking to secure supply, while mineral-rich countries are seeking opportunities to benefit more from the increased demand.

With the 'resource rush' accelerating, how can international policy processes promote environmental sustainability, local value addition, fair benefit sharing and respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples, local communities and small-scale producers?

This online event will explore these issues in the light of international policy developments including bilateral and multilateral partnerships and trade agreements, the UN Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals and multilateral environmental diplomacy.

About the speakers

Elisa Morgera, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights

Ketakandriana Rafitoson, director, Publish What You Pay

Nicolás Perrone, professor of economic law, Valparaíso University

Tim Stern, international energy director, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Victoria Fernández Almeida, coordinator on economic, social, cultural and environmental rights, Andhes

Lorenzo Cotula (moderator), principal researcher and head of law, economies and justice programme, IIED

About attending

Webinars are online workshops that people can attend via the internet from their desk or portable internet device.

This webinar will use the Zoom video conferencing platform. For those who have not attended a Zoom webinar before, please read this guide to participation as an attendee.

The event will be recorded to be distributed publicly afterwards. By registering for this event, you agree to give your consent for this.

The information you provide will be held on our database to process your booking. We do not share data with any third parties. We may contact you in the future about other IIED events. Please let us know if you do not want to receive any further information from us.

About IIED Debates

This event is part of the IIED Debates series. Through the convening of expert speakers and external stakeholders, IIED brings together an international community to discuss critical issues.

IIED Debates encompass both physical and digital events, including critical themes, breakfast debriefs and webinars. These events are public and are hosted regularly throughout the year online and when possible in our London and Edinburgh offices.

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Contact

Juliette Tunstall ([email protected]), IIED internal engagement and external events officer