Media Home
UN Web TV
UN Audiovisual Library
UN PhotoCritical Energy Transition Minerals to accelerate progress towards the SDGs (HLPF 2024 Side Event)
Categories
Production Date
Video Length
01:19:21
Broadcasting UN Entity
Summary
Addressing climate change and achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement hinge on transitioning to low-carbon economies, heavily reliant on digitalization, renewable energy and electrification technologies
View moreView lessDescription
This transition necessitates critical energy transition minerals (CETMs). The demand for CETMs is projected to grow exponentially, with estimates suggesting a three-and-a-half-fold increase by 2030 across all minerals and even more pronounced increases in specific minerals. Definition of CETMs vary according to different lists and points of reference. For this event and the work of the UN on this topic, CETMs generally refer to minerals that are required for the manufacturing of low-carbon technologies, and thus will see an increased demand in upcoming years. These include, non-exhaustively, aluminium, cobalt, copper, graphite, lithium, nickel, rare earth elements (REEs), zinc, among others.
---
Objectives
This proposed side-event seeks to deepen discussions on the intersection of CETMs with the SDGs, fostering dialogue on innovative solutions and just transitions that reinforce the 2030 Agenda's objectives while addressing poverty and climate resilience. More specifically, the side-event will contribute to:
- Explore global trends, regional and national perspectives, best practices, and challenges in critical energy transition minerals exploitation, aiming to promote sustainable mining and processing practices and support just transitions in the global low-carbon technologies value chains.
- Showcase efforts and the process of elaboration of the UN Framework Just Transitions to Critical Energy Transition Minerals by the United Nations Working Group on Transforming Extractive Industries for Sustainable Development.
- Present the work of the UN Secretary-General's Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals. Particularly, in connection with clusters focused on the sharing of economic benefits of CETMs, including through local value addition, while safeguarding social and environmental protections for affected communities and ecosystems.
- Strengthen international cooperation and highlight the potential of harnessing CETMs to promote sustainable development, in line with the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.