As the world shifts towards sustainable energy solutions, critical raw materials (CRMs) have emerged as a cornerstone of the green transition. However, this transition raises vital questions about inclusivity, environmental impact, and the balance of benefits and costs. A recent round table discussion explored these issues, shedding light on the complexities of CRM extraction and its broader implications.
Critical Questions on the Green Transition
Green Transition by Whom and for Whom?
Is the green transition genuinely inclusive, or does it prioritize the interests of the EU and its allies at the expense of local communities in resource-rich regions?
Are local communities valued in the EU’s narrative, or are they sidelined as collateral damage in the rush for CRMs?
Contradiction Between Green Transition and Mining
Mining is inherently environmentally destructive. How can it align with the green transition’s goals?
Does extracting more CRMs for green technologies merely shift environmental burdens rather than resolving them?
Beneficiaries and Costs of the Green Transition
Who Benefits? The proclaimed green transition disproportionately benefits developed nations and corporations, often sidelining the communities where resources are extracted.
Who Pays the Price? Conflicts in resource-rich regions like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) highlight the human cost of CRM extraction.
Environmental degradation, water pollution, and food insecurity disproportionately impact economically vulnerable communities.
The destruction of tourism and other sectors in mining areas exacerbates local economic hardships.
Geopolitics of Critical Raw Materials
EU’s Dependence and Strategic Interests
The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) underscores its need for CRMs and materials it cannot produce domestically.
Strategic materials like niobium are vital for military technologies, raising concerns about prioritizing military applications over green objectives.
CRMs and Strategic Materials
Many CRMs serve purposes beyond the green transition, including military and strategic uses.
The militarization of CRMs underscores the tension between green policies and broader geopolitical ambitions.
Transparency and Accountability in CRM Extraction
Supply Chain Mapping. To address the risks of CRM extraction, it is crucial to:
- Identify the minerals and their specific uses.
- Trace the supply chain, including firms, states, banks, and financial institutions involved.
- Investigate the destination and end uses of extracted materials.
Human Rights and Environmental Compliance
Does the EU ensure adherence to international human rights and environmental standards in CRM operations? Examples from Madagascar highlight ongoing human rights concerns in CRM extraction.
Participation and Advocacy
Inclusion of Stakeholders: Article 6 of the CRMA emphasizes the involvement of all stakeholders, including local communities, civil society organizations (CSOs), and academia. Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) must be a non-negotiable principle.
Role of EU Citizens
EU taxpayers must hold their governments accountable for environmental and human rights violations linked to CRMs.
Lifestyle changes in the EU could help reduce CRM demand, alleviating extraction pressures.
Broader Impacts of CRM Extraction
Environmental and Health Risks
CRM extraction degrades soil, pollutes water sources, and threatens biodiversity, undermining food security and sovereignty.
Economic Disruptions
Mining activities harm sectors like tourism, which are crucial to local economies in many global South regions.
Research and Advocacy Directions
Action Points for CSOs and Researchers: Conduct in-depth research on CRM supply chains and strategic materials.
Focus on practical data collection while avoiding politically charged distractions.
Multilevel Approaches
Address CRM challenges through coordinated efforts at local, national, and international levels.
Hold financiers of multinational corporations accountable for exploitation.
A Call for Systematic Change
Equitable Green Transition: A green transition must not exploit vulnerable communities or destroy ecosystems. Responsibility and benefits must be equitably shared among all stakeholders.
Policy Recommendations
Strengthen the CRMA to include binding commitments to human rights and environmental standards. Ensure meaningful participation of local communities and stakeholders in CRM governance.
The green transition represents a historic opportunity for sustainable development. However, it must be pursued with transparency, accountability, and a commitment to equity. By addressing these critical questions and aligning actions with values, the EU and its global partners can forge a truly inclusive and sustainable future.
Elvis Ng’andwe
Executive Secretary
Africa-Europe Faith & Justice Network