“UN Special Rapporteur Warns of Environmental and Human Rights Impacts in New Mining Projects for Green Transition”

Elisa Morgera, the UN’s special rapporteur on climate change and human rights, has issued a warning regarding the environmental and human rights impacts of new mining projects aimed at powering a green shift. In a recent online event hosted by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), Morgera emphasized the need to question the increasing demand for energy-transition minerals and the implementation of ineffective climate measures that harm both people and the planet.

Morgera highlighted the importance of fully assessing the potential impacts of new mining projects on the environment and human rights. She stressed the need for comprehensive and independent assessments to determine the necessity of critical minerals and explore alternative extraction methods.

The rapid deployment of clean energy technologies has led to a global race for minerals essential for manufacturing solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and electric vehicles. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has projected a significant increase in demand for these minerals by 2030 and 2040, necessitating substantial investments in new mining developments.

However, Morgera cautioned that mining activities come with unavoidable environmental and social trade-offs that must be carefully considered. She urged a shift away from the misconception that addressing climate change conflicts with protecting the human rights of Indigenous peoples living in areas where critical minerals are often extracted.

Communities in mineral-producing countries, such as Indonesia, Chile, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have reported environmental degradation and human rights abuses linked to mining activities. Ketakandriana Rafitoson, director of Publish What You Pay, highlighted the growing issue of land grabbing and territorial rights violations in these regions.

Last year, the UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Minerals outlined seven principles for developing critical mineral supply chains with justice, equity, and human rights at their core. The panel emphasized the importance of balancing consumption with sustainable supply, promoting innovation in product design, and building circular supply chains to reduce demand for critical minerals.

Recycling minerals could help reduce the need for new mining projects and mitigate the environmental and social impacts of mining. However, the use of recycled materials has not kept pace with rising material consumption, according to the IEA. The UN has warned that global resource extraction is accelerating and projected to grow by 60% by 2060, posing a threat to global climate, biodiversity, and pollution targets.

Special rapporteur Elisa Morgera is seeking inputs on the human rights impacts of the full life-cycle of renewable energy, including the extraction and re-use of critical minerals. She will present a report at the UN in October to address the trade-offs between environmental protection and human rights in the mining sector.

In conclusion, the world must carefully consider the environmental and human rights implications of new mining projects aimed at supporting the green transition. It is essential to prioritize sustainability, equity, and human rights in the extraction and use of critical minerals to ensure a more sustainable and just future for all.