{"id":389902,"date":"2025-11-25T09:20:11","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T08:20:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?p=389902"},"modified":"2025-12-18T11:13:31","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T10:13:31","slug":"iucn-members-adopt-resolution-to-safeguard-biodiversity-and-human-rights-in-energy-transition-mineral-governance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/news\/iucn-members-adopt-resolution-to-safeguard-biodiversity-and-human-rights-in-energy-transition-mineral-governance\/","title":{"rendered":"IUCN members adopt resolution to safeguard biodiversity and human rights in energy transition mineral governance\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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At the World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi (9\u201315 October), IUCN members including states, government agencies, civil society groups and Indigenous Peoples\u2019 organisations voted with an overwhelming majority of votes to adopt the resolution \u201cSafeguarding Biodiversity and Human Rights in Energy Transition Mineral Governance.\u201d\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Header photo: Nickel mining on Sulawesi, Indonesia \u00a9<\/mark><\/em><\/mark><\/em> Gary Lotulung<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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With 795 members voting \u2018yes\u2019 to the adoption of motion 104<\/a>, it is now an IUCN resolution (number 103) <\/a>and will become part of IUCN policy.\u202fThe groundbreaking Resolution, proposed by A Rocha Ghana and supported by IUCN members and conservation allies worldwide, calls on governments, companies and civil society to ensure that the global shift to renewable energy does not come at the expense of planetary health and the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP&LCs).\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The voting results of motion 104 presented at the World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, 2025 \u00a9<\/mark><\/em><\/mark><\/em><\/mark><\/em> IUCN NL<\/mark><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Governments and IUCN urged to lead on responsible mineral governance <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The resolution advocates for reduced energy and mineral use through a circular economy and for socially and ecologically sound mineral governance that upholds national protections for ecosystems, water, biodiversity and IP&LCs.\u202fIt calls for the designation of no-go zones for mining in ecologically or culturally significant areas, the meaningful participation and rights of IP&LCs and for mining and post-mining practices to meet the highest human rights and environmental standards. This resolution complements IUCN resolution 121 (2020)<\/a> and helps implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework <\/a>(KM-GBF), the Paris Climate Agreement and the 2024 UN Principles to Guide Critical Energy Transition Minerals Towards Equity and Justice.\u202f <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Additionally, members request the Director General of IUCN to develop guidance on responsible governance of energy transition minerals and to facilitate collaboration among governments, companies, communities, and civil society to advance these objectives. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Safeguarding planetary health in the energy transition <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The global shift to renewable energy and decarbonisation has significantly increased the demand for energy transition minerals such as lithium, nickel, copper and bauxite. Yet, when mining for these minerals is poorly regulated, it often results in severe biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, water insecurity, pollution and violations of Indigenous Peoples\u2019 and local communities\u2019 (IP&LC) rights. Both the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement affirm the essential role that biodiversity, forests and wetlands play in combating climate change, underscoring the need for responsible pathways to secure these minerals. This is especially urgent given that more than half of the world\u2019s energy-transition mineral reserves lie on IP&LC lands, where the participation of Indigenous Peoples and the application of FPIC are fundamental to achieving a just transition. Protecting planetary health and security must therefore be at the heart of the just energy transition.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Rally local and global efforts to implement the resolution <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\u2018This resolution is an important step towards safer and more just mineral governance,\u2019 says Seth Appiah-Kubi, National Director of A Rocha Ghana. \u2018We acknowledge the immense local, and national economic benefits of mining, as well as the need for crucial role transition minerals offer to the energy transition. Unfortunately, mining for the energy transition often comes at high risks to local communities\u2019 wellbeing and biodiversity security. It can lead to large-scale deforestation, loss and degradation of wetlands and other ecosystems and the services these provide and can also affect IP&LCs\u2019 rights and livelihoods. We see this not only close to home, in Ghana, but across the globe. Looking ahead, we need to rally local and global efforts in the implementation of the resolution, which is up to IUCN, the committees and the (state and non-state) members.\u2019\u202f <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u2018We are very pleased to see that there is such broad support within the IUCN Membership  for taking action on this important topic for biodiversity and human rights. We will continue to cooperate with organisations like A Rocha Ghana to contribute to positive change.\u2019  <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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