The 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) has delivered firm and ambitious emissions reduction pledges and net-zero commitments. As the building blocks of renewable energy and electric vehicles, critical raw minerals are vital for delivering a transition to net-zero emissions and safeguarding future economic resilience. The World Bank estimates that three billion tonnes of metals and minerals are needed to decarbonise the global energy system by 2050.

Following COP26, this briefing and discussion featured leading specialists on how to secure a resilient, sustainable supply of critical minerals for the transition to a net-zero economy. The session explored how minerals are mined, distributed, tracked through supply chains, and re-used and recycled effectively and ethically for a circular economy. Speakers discussed how to implement the key outcomes from COP26, and the challenges and opportunities ahead across sectors.

Summary Report

A summary of the discussions is available here.

Speakers

• H.E. Ambassador Simon Manley, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations Office, WTO, and other international organizations in Geneva
• Ms. Olga Algayerova, Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
• Lord Mark Sedwill, UK Prime Minister's Envoy for Economic Resilience and Chair of the G7 Panel on Economic Resilience
• Mr. Rohitesh Dhawan, Chief Executive Officer, International Council on Mining and Metal (ICMM) 
• Ms. Nathalie Bernasconi, Executive Director, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Europe
• Mr. Paul Lusty, Head of Critical Materials, British Geological Survey
• Mr. Aik Hoe Lim, Director of Trade and Environment Division, World Trade Organization (WTO)
• Ms. Karen Batt, Head of International at Standards Australia and convenor of the ISO Strategic Advisory Group on critical minerals 
• Mr. Dmitry Mariyasin, Deputy Executive Secretary, UNECE
• Moderator: Ms. Elisabeth Tuerk, Director, Economic Cooperation and Trade, UNECE

Recording

Recording at https://youtu.be/M2uDVK7GGp0