As the world races to meet ambitious climate goals, mineral-rich countries in Asia-Pacific find themselves in an important position as the provider of critical elements needed to power the global energy transition to renewable energy.

However, analysis from the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre points to notable human rights risks linked to the mining of these transition minerals in Asia-Pacific, with 127 allegations of abuse documented between 2010 and 2024.

According to data from the organisation’s Transition Mineral Tracker, Asia-Pacific recorded the highest number of allegations of abuse linked to the mining of copper (used across a wide range of technologies and in power grids for electrification) and nickel (used for electric vehicle batteries, wind turbines, solar panels, etc.).

Key findings (2010 to 2024):

• Asia-Pacific accounted for 15% of all human rights abuse allegations recorded globally. 
• Indonesia recorded the highest number of allegations in Asia-Pacific (45), followed by Australia (31), Papua New Guinea (17), China (13) and the Philippines (9).
• Local communities were the most impacted by allegations of abuse in Asia-Pacific (67), followed by workers (38) and human rights defenders (26).
• Indigenous Peoples were impacted in 17 allegations of abuse in the region.

Regional context:

• Indonesia and the Philippines are the world’s primary producers of nickel for EV global markets.
• Australia is the biggest producer of bauxite, lithium and iron ore.
• Most of the world’s zinc comes from the region; China accounts for a third of global zinc production, followed by Australia and India.

Pochoy Labog, Southeast Asia Programme Manager, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, said: “Given the role Asia-Pacific plays in producing minerals that are critical to the global energy transition, it is critical that we examine the costs of the mining of these minerals – and who is bearing the worst of it. Our data reveals that the global rush to extract these minerals is having significant negative impact on workers, Indigenous Peoples, local communities and human rights defenders. In Asia-Pacific, evidence has suggested lack of respect for their land rights, disregard for public participation rights, and the right of Indigenous Peoples to give or withhold their free, prior and informed consent. There is little evidence to suggest that locally affected communities will reap any benefits of the current transition mineral mining boom – even though extraction occurs on their lands.

“Companies involved in the mining of these minerals would do well to realise that this raises serious concerns for their operations in Asia-Pacific. For the energy transition to be considered truly just, it must be centred on the rights and participation of Indigenous Peoples, frontline communities and workers affected by transition minerals mining and renewable energy projects. These rights-holders must be recognised not as obstacles, but as essential partners in making the transition fast, fair and sustainable. Ignoring their voices and riding roughshod over their rights risks slowing progress at the project level and the transition as a whole as distrust and conflict grows, along with legal risks for companies and investors. The energy transition has the potential to succeed for the planet, people and the private sector but only if companies and investors take responsibility for getting it right.”

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Notes to editors:

• Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC) is a global organisation working at the intersection of business and human rights. With partners and allies worldwide, we seek to put human rights at the heart of business to deliver a just economy, climate justice, and end abuse. Find out more about our approach here.
• BHRRC’s Transition Minerals Tracker documents the human rights risks associated with mining key minerals for the transition to a net-zero carbon economy. The 2025 analysis of global data can be found here.
• This publication is published within the framework of the CARPET Project, an action co-funded by the European Union that addresses the urgent need for a just and inclusive transition to green economies in four key countries in Africa and Asia (South Africa, Kenya, Indonesia and Philippines).
• The European Union’s support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Media contact: Priyanka Mogul, Senior Communications Officer (Media/PR), Business & Human Rights Resource Centre ([email protected])