“Urgent Action Needed: Leaders at UN Must Ensure Sustainable Supply Chains for Renewable Energy Goals”

In the midst of ongoing discussions at the UN General Assembly on how to meet renewable energy goals, the focus has shifted to ensuring that supply chains are sustainable. Mads Christensen, the international executive director of Greenpeace, emphasizes the need for world leaders to take bold and ambitious action in transitioning to clean energy.

Greenpeace’s Energy Revolution scenarios, introduced in 2005, have been instrumental in accelerating the uptake of renewable energy. However, recent data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) shows that current policies and targets fall short of tripling renewable energy capacity to 11,000 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, as agreed upon at the UN climate talks COP28.

The urgency to act is underscored by the dire consequences of inaction, with an estimated 250,000 additional deaths per year expected between 2030 and 2050 due to climate-related factors. The need for swift and decisive action is further highlighted by the fact that the three hottest years on record have occurred since the Paris Agreement in 2015.

To bridge the gap between current policies and the necessary actions to meet renewable energy targets, governments must accelerate the roll-out of renewables while also focusing on energy efficiency and reducing total energy demand. The IEA points out that solar PV and wind energy accounted for the majority of growth in renewables expansion in 2023, driven by a growing demand for critical minerals.

However, the push for critical minerals essential for clean energy technologies poses risks to Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and the environment. Balancing the demand for critical minerals with environmental and social considerations is crucial in ensuring a sustainable energy transition.

Efforts to reduce energy, resource, and material consumption, coupled with long-term societal and policy changes, are essential in minimizing environmental impacts and staying within planetary boundaries. Greenpeace’s Sustainable Mobility Vision highlights the importance of prioritizing critical minerals for the energy transition and exploring substitution options to reduce reliance on key metals.

In the quest for a sustainable energy transition, human rights must be at the core of mining activities for transition minerals. This includes respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, ensuring equitable benefits, and promoting transparent and responsible governance across supply chains.

While challenges exist in transitioning to a sustainable energy future, there are solutions available if political leaders demonstrate the necessary will and commitment to drive change. The climate crisis demands bold and transformative action, and the time to act is now. By prioritizing renewable energy and sustainable supply chains, we can pave the way for a cleaner and more resilient future for all.