The energy transition has caused a race for critical minerals

The expansion of electric vehicles (EVs), offshore and onshore wind power, and solar panels—key technologies for green infrastructure— have resulted in increased demands for critical minerals, with significant implications for sustainability in producing countries. A central question is how best to address these challenges.

PUBLISHED: October 21, 2024
UPDATED: October 28, 2024

This was the topic of a seminar held at Stockholm University on October 3, 2024, jointly organized by the EPPLE group (Environmental Politics, Policy and Learning), the Stockholm Environment Institute, GRIP-ARM ERC-project, and the Mistra Mineral Governance project, with support from the Nordic Institute of Latin American Studies. 

Moderated by Maria-Therese Gustafsson, an associate professor in Stockholm University's Department of Political Science, the seminar featured a distinguished panel of researchers in critical raw materials governance: Susan Park, Erika Weinthal, Hyeyoon Park, Scott Odell, and Rasmus Kløcker Larsen.

The panelists discussed the complexities of balancing the extractive demands of the green transition with the need for stringent human rights and environmental protections. A recurring theme in the discussion was that the energy transition is progressing faster than the governance frameworks that regulate the extraction of the CRMs necessary to support it.

Maria-Therese Gustafsson moderated the seminar discussions. Photo: Silvija Marcinkevičiūtė, SEI
Maria-Therese Gustafsson moderated the seminar that featured a distinguished panel of researchers in critical raw materials governance: Susan Park, Erika Weinthal, Hyeyoon Park, Scott Odell, and Rasmus Kløcker Larsen. Photo: Silvija Marcinkevičiūtė, SEI


For instance, the panelists emphasized that the current regulatory environment is highly fragmented, with most measures remaining voluntary. This lack of binding regulations means that corporations often have discretion over the standards they choose to uphold, creating accountability gaps. The panel underscored the importance of moving beyond voluntary guidelines and establishing mandatory frameworks that address both corporate responsibility and the rights of affected communities.

Another key point raised during the seminar was the need for deeper and more meaningful engagement with local communities. Rather than approaching CRM extraction as a purely economic or technical issue, panelists argued that community concerns must be addressed holistically—integrating environmental, social, and cultural safeguards into decision-making processes.

Despite the significant institutional challenges, the panelists also highlighted the urgency of rethinking energy systems. A shift toward circular economy practices, which prioritize resource reuse and recycling, is crucial to mitigate the socio-environmental impacts of the low carbon transition.
 

Andover mine in Western Australia. Photo: Paul-Alain Hunt © Unsplash
Andover mine in Western Australia. Stock picture. Photo: Paul-Alain Hunt © 2022 Unsplash


Speakers

Susan Park
Professor of Global Governance, University of Sydney, Australia

Erika Weinthal
Professor in Environmental Governance, Duke University, US

Hyeyoon Park
Lecturer in International Politics, University of Stirling, Scotland

Scott Odell
Program Scientist MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative, US

Rasmus Kløcker Larsen 
Senior Research Fellow, Stockholm Environment Institute

TEXT
Meaghan Gordon and Maria-Therese Gustafsson
 

The seminar was hosted by Stockholm Environment Institute, GRIP-ARM ERC-project, Mistra Mineral Governance project, Nordic Institute of Latin American Studies and the EPPLE seminar series, the two latter both at Stockholm University.


The EPPLE seminar series is arranged within the framework of the research area Environmental Politics, Policy and Learning (EPPLE).

 

GRIP-ARM Project

Nordic Institute of Latin American Studies

SEI: Governing critical raw materials and the energy transition

Mistra Mineral Governance: Governing Critical Raw Materials and the Energy Transition