cross-posted from: https://mander.xyz/post/31779724

Here you can download the report: Building a Global Minerals Trust for a Just Green Transition [pdf]

UN scientists, experts propose “Global Minerals Trust” - a cooperative, multilateral governance mechanism to ensure sustainable, conflict-free access to critical minerals

Key points:

• Today, more than 70% of global production for key critical minerals is concentrated in just a few countries, raising serious concerns about supply security, market volatility, and geopolitical risk.
• Achieving a just and sustainable energy transition hinges on fair and reliable access to critical minerals—materials key for low-carbon technologies. However, global supply chains remain environmentally damaging and vulnerable to geopolitical tensions, creating systemic risks for both climate and economic goals.
• A Global Minerals Trust offers a new multilateral model to promote responsible stewardship, fair pricing, and secure equitable access to strategic minerals–balancing national sovereignty with planetary responsibility.
• The Trust can advance a just and circular transition by enabling pooled investment, transparent trade, mineral recycling, and benefit-sharing with resource-producing nations, particularly in the Global South.
• Global cooperation through platforms such as the G7, G20, IGF, and United Nations is essential to coordinate action and build a resilient, inclusive, and future-proof minerals governance system.
• The Trust would include independent audit mechanisms—similar to those used by the International Atomic Energy Agency—to ensure environmental and social safeguards.
• Countries would retain full sovereignty over their resources while committing to prioritize mineral flows for green technologies and avoid politicized supply disruptions.

Canada’s 2025 G7 presidency offers a strategic opportunity to facilitate early-stage consensus around the Trust, drawing on its strengths in environmental diplomacy and multilateral engagement, the report says.