UN-convened Panel on critical energy transition minerals launches to develop common principles on building trust and mutual benefits

Today, the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres launched a UN-convened Panel on critical energy transition minerals, co-chaired by Ditte Juul Jørgensen, European Commission Director-General for Energy, and Ambassador Nozipho Mxakato-Diseko of South Africa.

The panel will guide governments and other stakeholders active in the extractive industries in the years ahead, by addressing issues relating to equity, transparency, investment, sustainability and human rights. Building on existing work and conventions, the panel will develop a set of global common and voluntary principles to build trust and mutual benefits.

Limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, to avert the worst impacts of climate change, will depend on the accessible and affordable supply of critical energy transition minerals. This includes copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements, which are essential components of clean energy technologies – from wind turbines and solar panels, to electric vehicles and battery storage. 

More information

• UN press release
• GROW webpage on CRMs
• Critical Raw Materials Act
• ENER webpage on international cooperation