Critical minerals: the one issue COP has forgotten about

Global Witness is calling for COP30 to address the climate and human rights impacts of the 'transition minerals' boom. The organization argues that the extraction of copper, cobalt, lithium, and rare earths is currently causing deforestation and destroying carbon sinks, which undermines net-zero goals. They propose that the UNFCCC formally endorse the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Expert Advisory Group (HLEAG) to develop binding international guidelines for responsible sourcing, protect vital carbon-storage ecosystems as 'no-go zones', and ensure the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of Indigenous peoples.

• The demand for transition minerals—specifically copper, cobalt, lithium, and rare earths used in clean energy technologies—is projected to quadruple in the coming years.
• Mineral extraction for the energy transition is causing significant climate harms, including the destruction of peatlands, wetlands, and carbon-rich rainforests, which may erode the carbon sequestration necessary for net zero.
• A significant portion of transition mineral reserves are located on or near Indigenous lands, necessitating the application of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for any extraction activities.
• Global Witness proposes that COP30 support the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Expert Advisory Group (HLEAG) to create binding international guidelines for responsible sourcing, promote circular economy strategies, and establish climate-specific guidelines to stop mining-driven deforestation.

APA

Global Witness (n.d.). Critical minerals: the one issue COP has forgotten about. https://globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/transition-minerals/critical-minerals-the-one-issue-cop-has-forgotten-about/

Chicago

Global Witness. Critical minerals: the one issue COP has forgotten about. n.d. https://globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/transition-minerals/critical-minerals-the-one-issue-cop-has-forgotten-about/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Global Witness |title=Critical minerals: the one issue COP has forgotten about |url=https://globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/transition-minerals/critical-minerals-the-one-issue-cop-has-forgotten-about/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{globalwitnessndcritical, author = {{Global Witness}}, title = {{Critical minerals: the one issue COP has forgotten about}}, publisher = {Global Witness}, url = {https://globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/transition-minerals/critical-minerals-the-one-issue-cop-has-forgotten-about/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }