Assessing the ESG risks associated with the supply of strategic minerals for the energy and digital transitions

In 2022–2023, Transitions conducted a review for RECORD of the risks associated with the metals and other strategic minerals sectors, identifying potential avenues for action to mitigate these risks and support the energy and digital transitions.

The study began with an analysis of the legal frameworks governing minerals and metals at the European and Member State levels. It then mapped their value chains from a geographical perspective and assessed the associated environmental and socio-societal risks. The study resulted in global maps covering ten minerals and metals : aluminium, cobalt, copper, graphite, lithium, manganese, nickel, platinum group metals, tantalum and rare earth elements; alongside a risk analysis of the main extraction and processing countries.

This work identified potential solutions to prevent and mitigate these risks. The full report and its summary are available online at: https://record-net.org/catalogue/253