The green transition: is sustainable and fair extraction of critical minerals possible?

On 6 May 2025, join Mistra Mineral Governance in collaboration with the Department of Human Geography, Human Rights Studies, and Environmental and Energy Systems Studies (Lund University) for a seminar titled ‘’The green transition: is sustainable and fair extraction of critical minerals possible?’’.  This seminar is part of the Sustainability Week.

About the seminar

The transition to more climate-friendly energy systems has increased the demand for many metals that are needed for batteries, motors and electrification. Countries, including Sweden, are now trying to secure critical access, resulting in national pressures to quickly open new mines.

The panel discussion will address a various themes relating to the transition:

• Topics such as substitution of minerals, resource efficiency, labor practices, democratic and inclusive decision-making processes, and impacts of increased mining on local and marginalized populations.   
• The inevitable tradeoffs between local needs and environmental concerns, and the demand for critical minerals in sustainable electrification – in the context of the neocolonial rush for critical mineral resources.
• The implications of the European Critical Raw Materials Act, which entered into force in May 2024.

About the participants

• André Månberger, leader of the Mistra Mineral Governance, and senior lecturer, Environmental and Energy Systems Studies, Lund University 
• Martina Angela Caretta, senior lecturer, Department of Human Geography, Lund University, and PI of the FORMAS-funded project, A just TRANSport TRANSformation? A TRANSnational, FEMinist analysis of the social reproduction of the lithium and copper supply chain.
• Georgia de Leeuw, postdoctoral researcher, Human Rights Studies, Lund University
• Sylvain Marpeau-Roussel, Senior Corporate Engagement Manager, Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative

Note: There is no need to register to attend the seminar