Accelerating climate action and just transitions to low-carbon energy systems depends on a stable supply of responsibly sourced critical minerals essential for renewable energy, electric vehicles, storage technologies, and smart grids. Rapid demand growth presents opportunities for resource-rich developing economies in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. In Latin America, the critical minerals market is projected to reach USD 120 billion by 2030. Beyond their historical role as raw material exporters, these economies can strengthen their position throughout the value chain (from processing to manufacturing to end-
of-life treatment and more).
Global challenges include price volatility, supply chain concentration and the environmental and social impacts of extraction. Expanding and accelerating not only extraction, but also mid- and downstream activities in these countries can help address these challenges while advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A renewables-based energy matrix, ESG safeguards and political and economic stability and reliability are criteria that make countries in Latin America such as Brazil, Chile and Argentina safe options to diversify supply while ensuring high standards in terms of environmental and human rights practices. Existing iron ore or lithium projects showcase that reducing environmental and GHG footprints while engaging communities and preserving biodiversity is possible. However, challenges remain to guarantee capacity to respond to the expected demand in an economically viable and sustainable way, also benefiting local communities and adding value throughout the production chain. It is
urgent that these issues are addressed with concrete measures in multilateral fora’s such as COP, BRICS+ or G20 not only to ensure that economic efficiency aligns with sustainable frameworks and standards for critical minerals.
The objective of this roundtable is to organize an open and frank discussion on these issues with international stakeholders including consumers, suppliers and investors, in order to further the discussion on concrete mechanisms and actions to attract investment and uphold social and environmental integrity ahead of COP30. CEBRI’s ongoing research on supply and energy transition-driven demand for minerals will feed the discussions, along with insights from BNEF, APCO Worldwide and discussants.
Location:
London
Time:
10 am às 11 am BST
Language:
English
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Accelerating climate action and just transitions to low-carbon energy systems depends on a stable supply of responsibly sourced critical minerals essential for renewable energy, electric vehicles, storage technologies, and smart grids. Rapid demand growth presents opportunities for resource-rich developing economies in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. In Latin America, the critical minerals market is projected to reach USD 120 billion by 2030. Beyond their historical role as raw material exporters, these economies can strengthen their position throughout the value chain (from processing to manufacturing to end-
of-life treatment and more).
Global challenges include price volatility, supply chain concentration and the environmental and social impacts of extraction. Expanding and accelerating not only extraction, but also mid- and downstream activities in these countries can help address these challenges while advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A renewables-based energy matrix, ESG safeguards and political and economic stability and reliability are criteria that make countries in Latin America such as Brazil, Chile and Argentina safe options to diversify supply while ensuring high standards in terms of environmental and human rights practices. Existing iron ore or lithium projects showcase that reducing environmental and GHG footprints while engaging communities and preserving biodiversity is possible. However, challenges remain to guarantee capacity to respond to the expected demand in an economically viable and sustainable way, also benefiting local communities and adding value throughout the production chain. It is
urgent that these issues are addressed with concrete measures in multilateral fora’s such as COP, BRICS+ or G20 not only to ensure that economic efficiency aligns with sustainable frameworks and standards for critical minerals.
The objective of this roundtable is to organize an open and frank discussion on these issues with international stakeholders including consumers, suppliers and investors, in order to further the discussion on concrete mechanisms and actions to attract investment and uphold social and environmental integrity ahead of COP30. CEBRI’s ongoing research on supply and energy transition-driven demand for minerals will feed the discussions, along with insights from BNEF, APCO Worldwide and discussants.