Global Map Reveals Mining's Uneven Toll on Forests and Biodiversity
The UN is helping countries turn mineral wealth into local jobs, cleaner production and stronger oversight as demand for battery metals grows.
- The United Nations is working globally to ensure critical minerals create decent jobs and protect the environment, helping countries shift from raw material exports toward broader economic development.
- Global demand for critical minerals like lithium, nickel, cobalt, and copper drives the clean energy transition, creating opportunities for nations to improve industrial production standards and promote cleaner manufacturing.
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo produces around 70 per cent of the world's cobalt, while Argentina holds vast lithium reserves; the United Nations supports both nations in strengthening financial planning and local community engagement.
- Support includes improving mine safety and labor standards aligned with the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, while programs help small businesses participate in emerging electric vehicle supply chains.
- Local communities now participate in monitoring environmental impacts alongside government and mining companies to build trust, as Kazakhstan strengthens governance and Indonesia shares experiences through South-South cooperation.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Global map reveals mining's uneven toll on forests and biodiversity
A new study led by Japanese researchers from Tohoku University and the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) reveals that some of the minerals most essential for green technologies may have a significant negative impact on biodiversity. Using remote sensing and machine learning, the scientists produced an unprecedented global map of mined commodities.
From lithium to nickel: How the UN is helping countries make the most of critical minerals - The European Sting - Critical News & Insights on European Politics, Economy, Foreign Affairs, Business & Technology - europeansting.com United Nations News
© UN Kazakhstan A miner prepares for work in Kazakhstan. This article is published in association with United Nations. The world’s shift to clean energy is driving huge demand for critical minerals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt and copper. Digging them out of the ground may be the most straightforward part of the process. Around the world, the United Nations is helping countries make sure these valuable resources create decent jobs, protect …
In fact, the investments needed to develop these activities should be considered part of the collective defence expenditure in NATO with the objective of 5% of the GDP of the member countries.The result of this chain of externalities and dependencies is strong: among the Chinese heavy rare earths, the Russian light and the advanced chips of Taiwan and the United States, there is not today a single new generation European military capability whos…
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