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The growing demand for minerals for technologies used in the green transition drives expansive mining for nickel, cobalt, manganese, copper, and lithium. Negative impacts of mining these minerals frequently affect tropical forest regions. Mining activities are linked to environmental impacts, such as pollution and deforestation. Moreover, they pose a threat to Indigenous Peoples and local communities, lack free, prior, and informed consent and are linked to human rights abuses.
Rainforest Foundation Norway (RFN) and AidEnvironment have released a report, titled “Short circuits: exploring the broken links of mineral supply chain policies”. The report examines due diligence policies and practices of key players in the electric vehicle (EV) industry.
The report documents a lack of commitment in mineral supply chains linked to electric vehicles. Frequently, practices do not align with commitments. Automakers may have deforestation commitments but by sourcing batteries from manufacturers without commitments around deforestation or biodiversity, those are undermined.
The report found that none of the companies in Rainforest Foundation Norway’s inquiry had sufficient policies and commitments in place for diligent sourcing of transition minerals. This lack of transparency and responsibility in their supply chain, contrasts with the mostly positive image of EV companies as fuelling the green transition.
RFN summarises the key findings from the report:
Closer attention to transition minerals such as nickel, cobalt, manganese, copper, or lithium is needed in due diligence approaches.
Increased focus on environmental impacts, particularly deforestation and biodiversity loss, in company policies and commitments.
Enhanced protection of the rights of indigenous people and local communities as well as meaningful engagement and remediation actions.
Improved transparency and disclosure practices to enable cross-checking and verification of data.
Accelerated efforts in mineral recycling and circular economy approaches to alleviate pressures from sourcing primary minerals.
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