The Essential Role of Critical Metals in the Energy Transition

The production of critical metals is crucial for the ongoing energy transition towards renewable technology and electric vehicles. Many raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel are essential components for batteries and other technologies that support clean energy initiatives. However, their extraction often comes at a staggering environmental and social cost, including deforestation, ecosystem destruction, and labour exploitation in developing countries, such as child labour in Congolese mines and environmental devastation in Indonesia. As the demand for these metals rapidly increases, it is imperative to address these underlying issues to ensure that the transition to clean energy does not perpetuate the damage done through traditional mining practices.