Introduction to the NRELC and our Briefing Notes
Welcome to our first Briefing Note.
Despite progress made on the sustainability agenda by leading mining and energy companies, NGOs, and government, we see a lack of consensus across key stakeholder groups about a pathway for the future.
Today, in the view of the authors, relationships between industry and civil society are underwhelming, with a growing sense of mutual frustration at the lack of significant, positive progress—along with a few bright spots.
There are several potential causes:
There are positives to build on. A recent survey of our networks found that stakeholders seek stronger company-NGO collaboration.
It’s critical to take full advantage of previous work and current initiatives. The International Council on Mining and Metals, the Mining Association of Canada, and some leading energy firms have taken concrete productive steps on issues like site-based performance and tailings; there are efforts to advance assurance systems for mining as well as for oil and gas; many in the energy sector are engaging with civil society on CCS and a price on carbon; and new partnerships are emerging to promote responsible sourcing such as initiatives for cobalt and lithium. Encouraging examples include the recent partnership between Apple, Alcoa, and Rio Tinto to produce zero-carbon aluminum; the work of the World Economic Forum’s Global Battery Alliance to support a sustainable value chain for batteries; and efforts by the Chamber of Mines in Argentina2 and RESOLVE to support the responsible development of the lithium sector as demand for batteries grows.
The Opportunity— Strengthening Cross-Sector Engagement
Today, we see a unique opportunity to further catalyze and support dialogue, innovation, and partnerships. Just as mining leadership rallied under the Global Mining Initiative to place sustainability firmly on its agenda, this is a moment for mining and energy leaders – across sectors and supply chains – to organize under a sustainable materials banner, with the energy transition as a key point of reference and accelerant. This will require a hard look at the challenges we face as well as a grounded optimism about the role of these sectors in a sustainable future.
Our Approach
Partnerships across the value chain must be built to sustain themselves over long periods despite shifting political and economic winds.
The NRELC will work with and support leaders across mineral and energy supply chains, and their financiers and investors, to help incentivize and reward improved performance and highlight the sustainable materials narrative. This includes helping civil society recognize good work and practice when and where it occurs; assisting lenders and investors who are looking at the societal impacts of their portfolios, from BlackRock to specialized Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) funds; and engaging constructively with the responsible sourcing agendas of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), retailers, and customers, including those focused on climate. We will support thought leadership, offer strategic guidance and convening power, encourage collaborative strategies, programs, and tools, and seek to bolster engagement with key government agencies.
We see an opportunity for the materials and energy sectors and their stakeholders to respond to and take full advantage of the following drivers:
We will embrace the positive changes around us—new technologies, greater supply chain awareness, the contribution of the mining and energy sectors to sustainability issues, including climate response, and new approaches to partnership with host communities—while also working to better identify and counter negative trends.
Contact
We are excited to get underway and invite you to engage with us. To identify colleagues for future updates, please email Margaret Lee at RESOLVE (mlee@resolv.org), with the subject line “Addition for NRELC Network”.
You can download this document as a PDF here.
1 We wish to thank the World Economic Forum for inspiring the NRELC. We are a legacy of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on the Future of Mining and Metals and the Council on Decarbonizing Energy.
2 Cámara Argentina de Empresarios Mineros—CAEM.
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