Editor’s choice
Editor’s choice
Responding to growing demand for the critical minerals associated with the energy transition has emerged as a key global sustainable development challenge. While the laudable ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is a strong driver of the current energy transition, if we end up with less greenhouse gases in the atmosphere but with similar levels of harm and conflict as we experienced during the era of fossil fuels, then we will have missed an opportunity to achieve the broader sustainability transition we want and need.
The One-SEI program on mining and minerals seeks to generate knowledge and tools which will allow the energy transition, which will likely require some level of increase in the production of critical minerals through mining, to unfold freer from the impacts of past extractive activity. Efforts to generate knowledge and tools to improve decisions related to the energy transition will be guided by adopting a holistic view of the local to global critical mineral systems and by understanding that perspectives on what would constitute responsible critical mineral production through mining will vary among the different actors operating within this system. What is critical to some actors may not be to others.
Recognizing that perspectives as to what would constitute responsible critical mineral production in response to the global energy transitions vary across scales, geographies, and cultures, this program seeks to understand how these perspectives fit within the local-to-global critical mineral system. Drawing upon the diverse experience of SEI researchers working in Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America and North America on issues ranging from global geopolitics and security to local mining impact assessment, the program will:
Perspective / The EU and Mercosur countries' treaty puts the two trade blocks in a position to lead towards responsible production of these materials for a green transition.
Press release / A new method developed by SEI shows how risks can be reduced and offer better protection of Sámi rights and a fairer management of land use.
SEI report / Fallstudie av LKAB:s ansökta Per Geijer-projekt och av risker för Gabna sameby
SEI brief / This policy brief discusses the importance of involving Indigenous Peoples in lithium mining decisions in the Argentine Altiplano.
Journal article / This article uses Indigenous frameworks in proposing indicators aligned with the UN SDGs for lithium mining in Argentina.
SEI podcast / In this podcast episode SEI’s Laura Forni explores how lithium mining in the Andean mountains is impacting Indigenous communities.
Media coverage / SEI’s Maria Nkhonjera noted that reforming international credit ratings could allow energy projects in Africa to reach their potential.
Perspective / SEI fossil fuel experts weigh in on the successes and challenges of the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Santa Marta, Colombia.
Perspective / Calls in Colombia to increase gas production could set the country down an environmentally and financially perilous path despite cleaner energy alternatives.
