{"id":295889,"date":"2025-07-03T09:32:12","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T08:32:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?p=295889"},"modified":"2025-10-13T11:46:32","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T10:46:32","slug":"the-energy-transition-revisited-the-case-of-lithium-extraction-in-the-andes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/the-energy-transition-revisited-the-case-of-lithium-extraction-in-the-andes\/","title":{"rendered":"The energy transition revisited: the case of lithium extraction in the Andes \u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The planetary crisis that came with the extraction and burning of fossil fuels has demanded a radical shift; a transition towards renewable forms of energy production. The energy transition, one of the most promoted solutions to today\u2019s climate and energy challenges, has sparked demand for transition minerals, such as lithium. The \u201cLithium Triangle\u201d is in south America, within the Argentinian, Bolivian and Chilean territory.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Although the need for an energy transition is widely recognized, there is no global consensus on how to achieve it in a just and sustainable way. Its current trajectory often reinforces historic power imbalances between the Global North and South, while mining practices impact local communities and ecosystems\u2014deepening instability in already fragile regions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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There\u2019s a lot at stake in the shift to a new energy system. What\u2019s crucial is avoiding the same mistakes that have long marked resource extraction\u2014human rights abuses and environmental damage, especially in the Global South. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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This article explores the socioenvironmental impacts of lithium extraction in the salt flats of the Andes. For this we interviewed two of our partners, CEDIB and Aka Pacha.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Header photo: Salar de Olaroz lithium mine in the Jujuy province , Argentina \u00a9 Image courtesy of NASA<\/em><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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This article is written by our intern Nefeli Nisioti and does not necessarily reflect the position of IUCN NL. <\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Energy Transition Minerals<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Facilitating the energy transition requires large quantities of the so-called Energy Transition Minerals[1]<\/sup><\/a>Is mining for clean energy minerals sustainable?<\/a><\/span><\/span>