Good governance of transition minerals
Transition minerals are essential to the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy but have been entirely absent from UNFCCC decisions. This is beginning to change as Parties confront the scale of the challenge. Poorly governed mineral extraction could undermine the COP28 targets of tripling global renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030, as well as the implementation of the Global Stocktake. At COP30, NRGI is urging Parties to put transition minerals at the heart of just transition planning.
Our asks
Recognize the Challenge
Achieving Paris Agreement objectives requires scaling up energy transition minerals. Without strong governance, the transition risks harm and will be not just or fast enough. Well-managed extraction can instead drive diversification and just transitions in producing countries.
Endorse Global Principles
Welcome the UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals and endorse its Guiding Principles to ensure mineral supply chains advance justice, equity, and sustainable development.
Strengthen Inclusive Governance
Contribute to improved governance of transition minerals through inclusive multilateral action that centers the priorities and perspectives of low- and middle-income producing countries.
Establish a Global Just Transition Mechanism
Through the Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP), create a Global Just Transition Mechanism to coordinate implementation, share knowledge, and direct finance toward low- and middle-income countries’ transition priorities, including fair trade in transition minerals.
Build Synergies Across Processes
Strengthen coordination between UNFCCC discussions and UN follow-up to the Secretary-General’s Panel to align efforts and sustain equitable mineral governance and just transition outcomes.
Why this matters to low- and middle-income oil and gas producing countries
Meeting the Paris Agreement’s goals will require an unprecedented surge in demand for transition minerals such as cobalt, lithium, nickel, and bauxite. Without strong governance, this expansion could deepen inequality, environmental harm, and human rights abuses, especially in low- and middle-income, mineral-producing countries. With the right policies and accountability, however, it could generate jobs, diversify economies, and support cleaner energy systems. COP30 is the moment to ensure the transition is just and inclusive.
Poor governance threatens climate action
Minerals are essential to climate action, but poorly governed extraction risks repeating the harms of the past. Without justice and equity, the transition will entrench exploitation, degrade the environment, and lock developing countries into extractive models that fail to meet development and energy needs. In these conditions, poorly governed mineral extraction will also undermine COP28 targets to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030.
Global momentum for responsible governance
Momentum for change is growing. The UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals has outlined principles and recommendations for fairer mineral supply chains. The African Union’s Green Minerals Strategy, national policies in countries such as Zambia, South Africa, and Chile, and discussions under the JTWP and Response Measures Forum all point toward a more equitable approach. At COP30, NRGI is advocating for these efforts to converge, placing transition minerals firmly within an agreed global just transition framework.
