LiFT

Sustainable lithium production for a responsible global energy transition

As companies and organizations around the world look to expand their use of sustainable energy technologies, production of lithium is expected to grow significantly, with use in lithium-ion batteries as the primary driver. Downstream companies, such as car manufacturers, are calling for responsibly sourced minerals, including lithium. While lithium is projected to play a critical role in a low-carbon economy, an improperly managed mining process can pose risks with respect to the environment and local communities along the supply chain.

Sustainable Lithium Production for a Responsible Global Energy Transition (LiFT) seeks to catalyze and accelerate action toward a socially responsible, environmentally sustainable, and innovative battery value chain, optimizing the contribution of lithium to a responsible global energy transition.

LiFT, designed and implemented by RESOLVE, takes a collaborative approach. While global in scope, the project is being initiated in Argentina in partnership with the Cámera Argentina de Empresarios Mineros (CAEM), with the support of the Mining Association of Canada (MAC). LiFT is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Battery Alliance collaboration platform.

The approach begins with a multi-stakeholder dialogue in the Lithium Triangle that brings together lithium producers, downstream users, regional governments, and civil society. Our approach to supply chain assurance takes the specific conditions of the Lithium Triangle into account and links those to the responsible sourcing needs of downstream users. It is designed to be utilized by voluntary initiatives such as Toward Sustainable Mining (an assurance program of the MAC), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Due Diligence, the Responsible Minerals Initiative’s Risk Readiness Assessment, and others.

As the convener of LiFT, RESOLVE will facilitate in-region dialogue meetings, survey downstream companies and global civil society for the key risk issues, and develop a Responsible Suppliers Framework, which will set out a common understanding of how development priorities and key risk issues in the sector will be managed by LiFT participants.

Through LiFT, suppliers and manufacturers will have confidence that the lithium powering the low-carbon economy is responsibly produced.