It is without doubt that the transition away from a fossil fuel-based economy and into renewable energy technologies will require significant amounts of minerals. Combined with demand from other expanding sectors, including tech and defense, this has fuelled a rapid expansion of mining activities across the globe.

Evidence from our Transition Minerals Tracker shows that growing mineral demand is increasing environmental and human rights risks for Indigenous Peoples and local communities. It is also driving rising conflict between industry and communities where these harms materialise.

Certainly, reducing mineral demand could ease pressure on both people and nature. But can we lower mineral demand scenarios and still achieve a just energy transition?

According to recent civil society research, the answer is yes. The mineral rush is a choice not a necessity. A growing body of evidence shows that mineral demand can be reduced by reorienting economic systems and patterns of production and consumption towards circularity, sufficiency and resource efficiency.

• In December 2023, Amigas de la Tierra published a report calculating mineral demand scenarios in Spain if circular economy measures are taken into account.
• In November 2024, Amigas de la Tierra published a brief analyzing how much mining could be avoided by increasing the lifespan of mobile phones.
• In November 2025, PowerShift published a series of case studies highlighting international perspectives on raw materials reduction in Europe and Germany
• In March 2026, Greenpeace International published a briefing demonstrating that achieving climate targets is possible while limiting critical minerals rush.
• In April 2026, WECAN published a report that examines the mining demand necessary for a Just Transition away from fossil fuels.
• In October 2026, SOMO, Seas At Risk and PowerShift published a briefing compiling evidence on how Europe can cut mineral demand while decarbonizing road transport
• In October 2026, the EU Raw Materials Coalition published a brief bringing together organisations calling on the EU to make demand reduction a core part of Europe’s resource security strategy

Reducing mineral demand alone will not end human rights abuses or create reliable and resilient mineral supply chains. In other words, demand reduction does not replace the need for strong human rights and enviornmental safeguards. To achieve a truly just transition, three principles are essential: commitment to shared prosperity, fair negotiations and a corporate duty of care for human rights due diligence.