The 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) has delivered firm and ambitious emissions reduction pledges and net-zero commitments. As the building blocks of renewable energy and electric vehicles, critical raw minerals are vital for delivering a transition to net-zero emissions and safeguarding future economic resilience. The World Bank estimates that three billion tonnes of metals and minerals are needed to decarbonise the global energy system by 2050.
Following COP26, this briefing and discussion will feature leading specialists on how to secure a resilient, sustainable supply of critical minerals for the transition to a net-zero economy. The session will explore how minerals are mined, distributed, tracked through supply chains, and re-used and recycled effectively and ethically for a circular economy. Speakers will discuss how to implement the key outcomes from COP26, and the challenges and opportunities ahead across sectors.
Speakers
H.E. Ambassador Simon Manley, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations Office, WTO, and other international organizations in Geneva
Ms. Olga Algayerova, Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
Lord Mark Sedwill, UK Prime Minister's Envoy for Economic Resilience and Chair of the G7 Panel on Economic Resilience
Mr. Rohitesh Dhawan, Chief Executive Officer, International Council on Mining and Metal (ICMM)
Ms. Nathalie Bernasconi, Executive Director, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Europe
Mr. Paul Lusty, Head of Critical Materials, British Geological Survey
Mr. Aik Hoe Lim, Director of Trade and Environment Division, World Trade Organization (WTO)
Ms. Karen Batt, Head of International at Standards Australia and convenor of the ISO Strategic Advisory Group on critical minerals
Mr. Dmitry Mariyasin, Deputy Executive Secretary, UNECE
Moderator: Ms. Elisabeth Tuerk, Director, Economic Cooperation and Trade, UNECE
