UN chief introduces program to ensure fair mineral sourcing for clean energy

UN Secretary-General launched a new initiative on Friday to ensure fairness, sustainability, and human rights in the procurement and use of essential minerals for the clean energy transition, Xinhua reported yesterday.

The initiative introduces the Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, tasked to develop common and voluntary principles to uphold environmental and social standards in the energy transition.

In his statement, Antonio Guterres has emphasized the importance of ensuring justice and opportunities for developing countries in the growing demand for critical minerals essential to renewable energy technologies.

He has highlighted the potential benefits for these nations in terms of job creation, economic diversification, and revenue enhancement, while also stressing the need for them not to be relegated to mere suppliers of raw materials within the clean energy value chain.