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Green energy shift must also bring prosperity and equality: UN deputy chief

Release time:

2024-11-28

Outline: Ms. Mohammed stressed the need to ensure equity in the global transition to clean energy. She briefed on the work of the Secretary-General's Panel on Critical Minerals for Energy Transition, which had reported that clean energy technologies depended on critical minerals and that demand would grow significantly. The report emphasizes the integration of justice and equality in transition, and sets out seven guiding principles to support human rights, environmental protection and inclusive development. The report also makes five recommendations, including establishing an expert group to promote policy dialogue and accountability, advocating for a global transparency framework and financial support to empower communities and ensure clean energy promotes equitable and resilient growth.

Text:

The international community must ensure that the global shift from fossil fuels to clean energy is equitable, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said on Monday in New York.

Ms. Mohammed briefed Member States on the work of the Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals and urged them to share feedback.

The Panel recently issued a report which showed that many of today’s rapidly growing clean energy technologies – from wind turbines and solar panels to electric vehicles and battery storage – depend on critical energy transition minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements.

Demand is set to almost triple by 2030 as the world moves from fossil fuels such as coal and gas to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions to net zero by mid-century.

Focus on justice and equity

Ms. Mohammed said the Secretary-General established the Panel in response to calls from developing nations for action on the issue “lest we repeat history”.

The co-chairs – Ambassador Nozipho Joyce Mxakato-Diseko of South Africa and Ditte Juul Jørgensen, Director-General for Energy of the European Commission – also briefed Member States on the report that day.

The report identifies ways governments, industry, and the UN can work to embed justice and equity in critical energy transition mineral value chains in a bid to spur sustainable development, respect people, protect the environment, and power prosperity in resource-rich developing countries. 

The report outlines seven guiding principles that prioritize human rights, environmental protection, and inclusive development while also insisting on responsible trade and investment.

“This vision is supported by calls for transparency, accountability, and a commitment to multilateral cooperation – safeguarding the rights of resource-rich countries to benefit from their minerals while protecting their communities and ecosystems,” said Ms. Mohammed.

Empowerment and accountability

The report also sets out five Actionable Recommendations, which include forming a UN-hosted expert group to lead fair policy dialogue and drive accountability across mineral value chains.

Furthermore, it advocates for a global transparency framework, funding mechanisms to address mining’s long-term impacts, and support for small-scale miners as partners in sustainable development.

“Together, these recommendations aim to empower communities, create accountability, and ensure that clean energy fuels not only our economies but also equitable and resilient growth,” she explained.

The news comes from: https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/11/1156491