A report released by Business and Human Rights Resource Centre early this month shows that between 2010 to 2020 there is a total of 276 human rights allegations against companies mining six key commodities vital to the clean energy transition: cobalt, copper, lithium, manganese, nickel, and zinc. Extraction of these six minerals – core components for renewable energy technology like electric vehicles and solar panels – are expected to rise dramatically with the growing demand for these renewable energy technologies.
The Transition Minerals Tracker records that the highest number of allegations involve impacts and attacks on local communities, civil society organizations, and their leaders (125 allegations). Over one-third of allegations are related to water. Then, 17 of 38 allegations related to health impacts also featured an allegation related to access to water or water pollution.
The report also records that a quarter, 68 out of 276 allegations relate to governance and transparency. Almost half are allegations of corruption, use of influence and lobbying, and mismanagement of funds. Last but not least, the report says that 68 of the 276 allegations relate to workers’ rights, and over half of those are about occupational health and safety.
Read more here.
Download the report here.