Resourcing the Energy Transition: Principles to Guide Critical Energy Transition Minerals Towards Equity and Justice

The acceleration of a global energy transition to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement goals is anticipated to increase the demand for critical energy transition minerals. ‘Critical energy transition minerals’ (CETMs) to refer to the mineral commodities that are necessary for the construction, production, distribution, and storage of renewable energy and associated infrastructure. 

The Panel on Energy Transition Minerals was created to develop Guiding Principles that can serve as guardrails for the energy transition. The Panel proposes seven voluntary Guiding Principles, building on existing norms, commitments and legal obligations outlined in United Nations texts. 

The Guiding Principles are also accompanied by a set of specific, actionable recommendations to embed and maintain these Guiding Principles across critical energy transition mineral value chains. The Guiding Principles are underpinned by human rights, environment and biodiversity, justice and equity, benefit-sharing, responsibility and fairness, transparency and accountability, and multilateral and international cooperation.