Energy Transition: Civil Society Demands Equity at COP30
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Calls for Human Rights Safeguards Grow as Energy Transition Mineral Demand Rises
Table of Contents
Pressure mounts for a binding treaty on minerals and strengthened governance of energy transition minerals, with concerns raised about repeating past exploitation during the shift to renewable energy.
COP30 Focuses on Justice in Energy Transition Mineral Supply chains
As the world accelerates its transition to clean energy, demand for minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel – crucial for batteries, solar panels, and wind turbines – is surging. This demand is bringing increased scrutiny to the social and environmental impacts of their extraction and processing. The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),taking place in Belém,Brazil from November 10-21,2025,is expected to address these concerns.
Push for a Binding Minerals Treaty
Several stakeholders are advocating for a legally binding international treaty to govern the extraction, processing, and trade of energy transition minerals. This treaty aims to establish clear standards for environmental protection, labour rights, and community engagement. The initiative gained momentum with over 200 civil society organizations calling for strengthened energy transition minerals governance.
The European Union is also actively pursuing a Critical Raw Materials Act, aiming to secure access to essential minerals while upholding environmental and social standards. This legislation, agreed upon in March 2024, highlights the growing recognition of the need for responsible sourcing.
Human Rights Concerns Highlighted by UN High Commissioner
United Nations high Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, warned in an open letter ahead of COP30 that the energy transition must not replicate the exploitative practices of the past. Türk emphasized that the pursuit of climate goals should not come at the expense of human rights, notably in communities affected by mineral extraction. He specifically called for “human rights guardrails” to be implemented throughout the entire value chain.
Concerns center around issues such as child labor in cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo, environmental degradation from lithium extraction in South America’s “Lithium Triangle” (Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile), and land rights disputes in areas rich in nickel and other critical minerals. These issues underscore the need for robust due diligence mechanisms and transparent supply chains.
The Need for Equitable Governance
The current governance of energy transition minerals is often characterized by a lack of transparency and accountability. Many mining operations occur