UN calls for fair play in the global race for critical minerals

This article is published in association with United Nations.

Critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt are central to the transition to a zero-carbon economy. As the Security Council meets on Thursday to discuss “energy, critical minerals and security,” here is some of the work the UN is doing to ensure that the transition is just and equitable.

Despite geopolitical upheavals, the shift from a fossil-fuel-based global economy to one driven by clean electrification remains on track. 

According to the International Energy Agency (an autonomous international agency that is not part of the UN system), lithium demand grew by nearly 30 per cent in 2024, and nickel, cobalt, graphite, and rare earths by 6–8per cent. The growth of EVs, batteries and renewables is driving a major surge in demand for critical minerals.

From the UN Secretary-General to several agencies and entities, the UN system has been issuing guidance, convening meetings and producing reports on the mining and exploitation of these minerals, aimed at making sure that as many people as possible benefit from a cleaner, low carbon global economy.

Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals

• In April 2024, UN Secretary-General António Guterres launched the Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals to ensure a just, fair and sustainable transition that fully benefits all countries and communities endowed with these minerals.
• Later that year, the panel released its first report, which Mr. Guterres described as a “how-to guide to help generate prosperity and equality alongside clean power.” 
• The report identifies ways to ground the renewables revolution in justice and equity so that it spurs sustainable development, respects people, protects the environment and generates prosperity in resource-rich developing countries.

UN Guidance for Action on Critical Energy Transition Minerals

• The guidance, produced in June 2025, proposes measures to ensure that critical energy transition minerals are extracted and used in ways that advance human rights, environmental protection and equitable development. It is structured around three core principles:
• Human rights must be central. This means human rights due diligence; impact assessments; free, prior and informed consent; civic‑space protection; and robust grievance mechanisms.
• The environment and planetary integrity must be assured, with priority given to strong environmental and social impact assessments, biodiversity protection, no‑go zones, decarbonisation, circular‑economy measures, and progressive mine‑site rehabilitation.
• Justice and equity throughout the system, with an emphasis on meaningful community participation, gender equality, inclusion of Indigenous Peoples, and fair benefit‑sharing.

© Unsplash/Paul-Alain Hunt

Ore containing copper, cobalt and nickel at a mine in Western Australia.

‘A major development opportunity’: UN trade agency

• According to the UN trade agency (UNCTAD), the booming demand for critical minerals is reshaping geopolitical and industrial dynamics, placing resource‑rich developing countries at the centre of emerging value chains.
• The energy transition presents a “major development opportunity” for these nations: UNCTAD says that, by moving from raw mineral exports to local processing and value addition, they can significantly increase economic returns. For example, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo local cobalt processing nearly tripled export value, rising from $167 million to $6 billion in 2022. 

Serious environmental risks: UN environment agency

• The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is concerned that expanding mineral production brings serious environmental, social, economic, and geopolitical risks. 
• Mining and processing can generate high greenhouse‑gas emissions, biodiversity loss, pollution, human rights abuses—including impacts on Indigenous Peoples—while supply shortages and tight markets contribute to price volatility, geopolitical tensions, and pressure to open mines in sensitive areas.  
• UNEP is calling for mineral governance to extend along the entire value chain, not just at mine sites, and for stronger international cooperation, transparent governance, and enhanced collaboration among governments, industry and communities.