Why responsible sourcing of metals is more important than ever

As the transition to a net-zero economy gathers pace, attention is being brought to bear on how the world is going to source the vital materials that will enable decarbonisation at scale.

We know that electrifying the economy and switching to renewable power are central to the task of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and that achieving these aims will require a massive increase in the supply of metals such as copper and cobalt. But how do we ensure that we don’t simply replace environmental risks with another set associated with the production and supply of those metals, where the most vulnerable communities pay the price?