Shaping fair and sustainable supply chains for critical minerals

The transition to clean energy is driving unprecedented demand for critical minerals that are essential to technologies such as batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, and green hydrogen systems.

Valued at more than $300 billion, the global market for these minerals is expanding rapidly. But their supply chains face major risks, and mining faces challenges around emissions, environmental degradation, and human rights concerns. Meeting rising demand without addressing these issues could deepen inequalities and harm vulnerable communities and ecosystems.

A framework for responsible supply chains

Our recently published a new policy brief, A framework for responsible supply chains in critical minerals: the case of green hydrogen explores how countries can use the growth in green hydrogen and critical minerals to support inclusive and sustainable industrialisation. The brief proposes a framework for responsible supply chains in critical minerals, built around five guiding principles and illustrated with practical actions and case studies.

Five guiding principles

• Ensure decent work. Protect workers across supply chains from unsafe conditions and exploitation.
• Reduce environmental and social impacts. Minimise ecological harm and protect community rights to land, water, and wellbeing.
• Facilitate inclusive community partnerships. Support meaningful participation and fair benefit sharing with local and Indigenous communities.
• Strengthen governance, transparency and accountability. Ensure robust disclosure, oversight, and anti-corruption measures.
• Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation. Enable producer countries to gain lasting value through skills, technology transfer, and equitable partnerships.

Towards a just transition

The transformative potential of green hydrogen in the energy transition remains contingent on advancing its technology and ensuring resilient, ethical supply chains for critical minerals. Applying these principles can help build supply chains that not only support decarbonisation, but also advance shared prosperity.

Download the report