UN Deputy Chief: Green Energy Transition Must Foster Prosperity and Equality

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed urged fair policies for clean energy minerals, highlighting the need for equity, transparency, and environmental protection as demand soars worldwide.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Ms. Mohammed briefed Member States on the Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, encouraging feedback on its recent report.

This report highlights how critical minerals—such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements—are essential for clean energy technologies, with demand expected to triple by 2030 due to the global shift from fossil fuels to renewables. 

Ms. Mohammed emphasized that while renewable energy is becoming cheaper and more accessible, the transition risks reinforcing past inequalities, particularly impacting developing nations with mineral resources.

In response, the Panel’s report outlines seven guiding principles prioritizing human rights, environmental protection, and responsible trade. It also recommends actionable steps, such as establishing a UN-hosted expert group to drive policy dialogue, creating a transparency framework, and supporting small-scale miners.

Ahead of the COP29 climate summit, Member States were urged to share feedback, particularly on integrating these principles and implementing the recommendations.

Ms. Mohammed stressed the UN’s commitment to supporting equitable and inclusive clean energy development, ensuring resource-rich countries benefit from the transition while safeguarding their communities and environments.

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