"Civil society statement on the publication of the UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals report", 11 September 2024

"Anchoring human rights and Indigenous Peoples’ rights in mineral supply chains

The Panel’s first principle rightly states that “human rights must be at the core of all mineral value chains,” including those of environmental and anti-corruption defenders and the protection of civic space. As many seeking justice are intimidated, unjustly prosecuted and imprisoned, we urge swift action from governments and companies to support the protection of their rights. Additionally, we call on governments to strengthen domestic human rights legislation and regulations.

The Panel calls on all actors to uphold “the individual and collective rights of Indigenous Peoples,” recognizing their right to self-determination and their right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent. While we welcome this acknowledgement, and that of Indigenous Peoples’ role in biodiversity protection, upholding Indigenous rights requires that more governments ratify and implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and ILO Convention 169. 

We welcome the Panel’s call for a global traceability, transparency and accountability framework along the entire mineral value chain, to strengthen due diligence, facilitate corporate accountability and help support the protection of rights.

Protecting the planet’s integrity

We welcome the Panel’s call on all actors to “redouble […] efforts to safeguard the integrity of the environment” and the call to protect territories with recognized heritage and natural value from the mining of minerals for the energy transition. As we move towards a shift in humanity’s relationship with nature, we must find ways to drastically reduce material consumption and mineral demand, particularly in high-income countries. We must also resist narratives purporting that unlimited growth and unlimited mining are compatible with respecting planetary boundaries.  

We welcome the Panel’s recommendation to develop material efficiency and circularity targets to reduce consumption and environmental impacts. A transparent multi-stakeholder process that defines ambitious targets and establishes pathways to equitably reduce overconsumption will be essential to realize this aim.

Unlocking the equitable development potential of developing countries rich in minerals

We acknowledge the Panel’s recognition of the need for changes in trade rules to allow mineral-producing developing countries to move up the value chain. We also welcome its acknowledgment that economic diversification, energy infrastructure, and cleaner industrial policies are crucial to avoid dependence on commodity exports and to promote justice and equity in mineral-rich developing countries. 

To make progress on both fronts, we welcome the High-Level Expert Advisory Group that will be tasked with accelerating greater benefit-sharing, value addition and economic diversification as well as equitable trade, investment, fiscal policy, finance, and taxation. We call on the UN as host to ensure this Group is diverse and inclusive. We compel the Group to probe unfair trade and investment treaties, foster regional cooperation and integration and discourage fragmented bilateral trade and investment agreements that entrench unequal power dynamics.

This new paradigm rooted in equity and justice can only be achieved through inclusive multi-stakeholder action, that heeds the voices of those most affected by activities all along the mineral supply chain...."

The full joint statement by CSOs can be accessed here.