Search Climate Insights Directory

This research paper examines the evolving geopolitics of mineral supply chains, specifically how industrialised states are seeking to reduce dependencies on certain countries following the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It focuses on the potential for African economies to benefit from this restructuring as the global transition to renewable energy increases the demand for critical minerals.

This policy brief by RMI argues that a circular battery economy—focused on repurposing and recycling electric vehicle (EV) batteries—is essential to mitigate human rights abuses, environmental degradation, and supply chain vulnerabilities. The document outlines five critical policy areas: supply chain traceability, material transport and storage, manufacturing and production, recycling, and reuse, emphasizing that cohesive national and international policies are required to make these processes economically viable and scalable.

This guide by RMI provides a comprehensive overview of the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain, detailing the four stages of production: upstream (mining), midstream (processing and cell manufacturing), downstream (assembly), and end-of-life. It examines the current global dominance of China, the risks associated with supply chain concentration, and the human rights and environmental challenges inherent in mineral extraction. The document also analyzes US legislative efforts, such as the Inflation Reduction Act, aimed at diversifying the supply chain, increasing domestic production, and ensuring ethical sourcing.

This guide provides a foundational overview of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, explaining the different types of electric vehicles, the reasons for the prevalence of lithium-ion technology, the basic chemical mechanisms of battery operation, and the primary minerals required for production.

This guide, produced by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the OECD, provides a transfer pricing framework to help tax administrations in resource-rich developing countries accurately value mineral sales between related parties. It focuses on the application of the Comparable Uncontrolled Price (CUP) method to ensure that minerals are priced on an arm's length basis, thereby reducing base erosion and profit-shifting risks.

This guide, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the OECD, provides a framework for tax administrations in resource-rich developing countries to determine the arm's length price of minerals sold between related parties. It focuses on the application of the Comparable Uncontrolled Price (CUP) method to mitigate the risk of base erosion and profit shifting in the mining sector.

This guide, published by the IISD and OECD, provides a framework for tax administrations in developing countries to determine the arm's length price of minerals sold between related parties. It focuses on the application of the Comparable Uncontrolled Price (CUP) method to prevent tax base erosion and profit shifting in the mining sector.

This research paper examines the impacts of the Kaunisvaara mine on the Muonio reindeer herding district, detailing how the operation has led to significant land loss, economic decline, and psychological stress for the Sámi community, while highlighting the failure of the Swedish legal system to protect indigenous rights.

This briefing from the Africa Policy Research Institute argues that the global decarbonisation agenda presents both socio-economic risks and industrial opportunities for Africa. It advocates for an 'African Green deal' to leverage the continent's mineral resources for economic diversification and industrialisation, rather than remaining a source of raw materials for the global energy transition.

This briefing by RMI argues that the energy transition's reliance on critical minerals requires a shift from treating commodities as undifferentiated goods to implementing mine-to-market traceability. The document highlights how the lack of transparency hides human rights violations and environmental damage, and proposes five key actions to enable commodity differentiation and ensure a just transition.

This report analyzes the drivers and barriers to investment within India's electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem, based on consultations with experts, policymakers, and investors, as well as an online survey.

This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the necessity of a just transition for Latin American economies reliant on fossil fuel extraction. The authors argue that delaying the shift toward sustainable, low-carbon pathways increases economic vulnerability, while warning that the transition to renewable energy technologies creates new risks associated with the increased extraction of critical minerals.

This report examines the adoption of new mining technologies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and their impact on local procurement. While large-scale mining projects like Kibali and Kamoa-Kakula utilize advanced automation and green technologies, local suppliers struggle to capture high-value contracts due to gaps in capital, skills, and infrastructure. The report analyzes the 2018 Mining Code's efforts to mandate local content and identifies systemic barriers—including a weak manufacturing sector and outdated intellectual property laws—that hinder the transfer of technology to Congolese enterprises.

This report examines the adoption of new mining technologies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and their impact on local procurement. While large-scale industrial mines like Kibali and Kamoa-Kakula utilize advanced automation and green energy, local suppliers struggle to access high-value contracts due to gaps in capital, specialized skills, and a weak manufacturing base. The document analyzes the effectiveness of the 2018 Mining Code and the 2017 Subcontracting Law in promoting local content, concluding that a more supportive regulatory and economic environment is necessary to translate technological advancement into sustainable local economic growth.

This research paper argues that African countries must strategically and collectively mobilize climate finance both within and outside the UNFCCC system, as developed nations have failed to meet their financial commitments and are increasingly providing support through debt-increasing loans.

This research paper by the Africa Policy Research Institute argues that Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) must leverage the global clean energy transition to drive industrialization and address severe energy deficits. The author proposes that the region utilize a combination of green industrial policies, strategic use of natural gas for baseload power, and the leveraging of critical mineral reserves to move up the global value chain, while insisting that the transition must account for the economic differences between developed and developing nations.

This policy brief examines the opportunities and risks for developing countries resulting from the increased demand for lithium and cobalt used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries, emphasizing the role of trade policy in capturing value and managing overinvestment.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the mineral requirements of the energy transition, focusing on the ethical, environmental, and geopolitical challenges associated with the sourcing of cobalt, nickel, and lithium for electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

This briefing paper by the Forest Declaration Assessment examines how the global transition to low-carbon technologies increases the demand for minerals, thereby posing a significant threat to forest ecosystems, particularly Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs) in the Amazon and Congo Basin.

This research paper outlines strategies for Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states to integrate into the global electrical vehicle-related minerals and metals (EVMM) value chain through regional collaboration, policy alignment, and a shift toward circular economy principles in mining waste management.