{"id":320883,"date":"2025-08-12T08:42:50","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T07:42:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?p=320883"},"modified":"2025-08-12T09:57:41","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T08:57:41","slug":"clean-energy-dirty-origins-how-mineral-governance-can-catch-up-with-the-energy-transition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/clean-energy-dirty-origins-how-mineral-governance-can-catch-up-with-the-energy-transition\/","title":{"rendered":"Clean energy, dirty origins: how mineral governance can catch up with the energy transition"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The energy transition is widely hailed as a key pathway to a sustainable future. While it holds immense potential to decarbonise our economies, it is crucial to ensure the socio-ecological consequences of the transition do not outweigh the benefits of renewable energy. As we rush toward a greener future, we must ask: at whose expense?<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Header photo: by Sofia Truppel on Unsplash<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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This article was written by our intern Martijn Schoonwater and does not necessarily reflect the position of IUCN NL.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Growing demand and socio-ecological impact <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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According to the World Bank<\/a>, demand for lithium is expected to grow sixfold – far beyond current extraction capacities – to \u201cfuel\u201d the green transition. In Latin America, which supplies over 90% of the EU\u2019s lithium, this explosive growth comes at a cost<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Due to lithium mining, local communities face water scarcity, pollution, loss of livelihoods and forced migration, while ecosystems deteriorate and biodiversity is in decline. Whether intentional or not, by accelerating the energy transition, the EU and the Netherlands are placing increasing pressure on communities, ecosystems and biodiversity hotspots in resource-rich regions of the Global South.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The role of EU governance<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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While local laws and regulations of mining countries are important, the influence of EU governance should not be underestimated. Despite being regarded as a global advocate for sustainability, the EU\u2019s economic priorities often take precedence over its environmental ambitions. While ambitious policies for a more sustainable lithium value-chain are in place, they are made and adjusted<\/a> to prevent too much strain on companies \u2013 diluting their intended impact.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Four governance priorities for a fair and sustainable transition<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Through the Bottom Line!<\/a> Project, amongst others, IUCN NL advocates for an energy transition that is fair and sustainable. Achieving this requires improvements in four key governance areas:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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