A Global Call for Equity in Mineral Value Chains at COP30
13 October 2025
As world leaders gather in Brasilia for the Pre-COP meetings, more than 200 civil society organizations from around the world are issuing an open letter to Parties to the UNFCCC calling for governments to put transition minerals and the communities affected by their extraction at the heart of climate negotiations. They ask negotiators to recognize human rights, environmental protection and equity in mineral value chains as central pillars of climate action, outlining concrete steps to ensure the energy transition delivers justice, transparency and shared prosperity. The letter proposes the Belem Action Mechanism (BAM) as a new institutional arrangement within the UNFCCC to accelerate, consolidate and achieve a holistic Just Transition, including in mineral-producing countries.
To all States Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Excellencies,
“The critical minerals that power the clean energy revolution are often found in countries that have long been exploited. And today, we see history repeating. Communities mistreated. Rights trampled. Environments trashed. Nations stuck at the bottom of value chains – while others reap rewards. And extractive models digging deeper holes of inequality and harm. This must end.” António Guterres, United Nations Secretary General, A Moment of Opportunity, Special Address, 22 July 2025.
Our collective ability to deliver the Paris Agreement depends on achieving a just energy transition. And yet, the impact of exponential extraction of the minerals underpinning the transition to renewable energy remains a major blind spot in international climate negotiations. As COP30 approaches, we urge Parties to recognise human rights, environmental protection and equity in mineral value chains as central pillars of climate action.
Demand for minerals such as lithium, copper, cobalt and rare earth elements is rapidly increasing to power a zero-carbon global energy system. But the current model of extraction, processing, trade and consumption threatens to undermine the very goals the Paris Agreement seeks to achieve.
Without a drastic shift, the transition will exacerbate and entrench unjust practices and repeat the exploitative patterns of the past: dispossessing Indigenous Peoples of their land rights, marginalising local communities, causing disastrous environmental impacts, and locking developing countries in port-to-pit models that prevent them from meeting their acute development needs and limit energy access. All the while developed countries continue to drive demand for raw materials at the expense of planetary boundaries.
At the recent Fourth Dialogue under the Just Transition Work Programme in Addis Ababa, in September 2025, we heard multiple calls for equitable benefit-sharing, local value addition and better social and environmental protections. Noteworthily, a few days later, and for the first time at an African Climate Summit, heads of state explicitly recognised the need for just mineral supply chains. The moment is ripe for Parties to end the UNFCCC’s silence on transition minerals and demonstrate political will to connect mineral governance with the just transitions essential for effective climate action.
To that end, we call on Parties to reflect the following in COP30 negotiated outcomes: :
- Recognise the urgency and relevance of strengthened energy transition mineral governance to Paris Agreement implementation.
- Decide to establish the Belem Action Mechanism (BAM) for a Global Just Transition to support coordination and accelerate Just Transition pathways, notably in resource-rich countries.
- Welcome the principles and recommendations outlined in the report of the UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals.
- Call on all Parties to contribute to inclusive multilateral action to strengthen transition minerals governance under United Nations auspices, including through strategies to improve trade justice and reduce mineral demand equitably, with full participation of Indigenous Peoples, civil society, producing countries, academia, workers, women, youth and experts from all regions.
- Urge Parties to strengthen national-level governance – including by implementing transparency, anti-corruption measures, protecting the environment, human rights and Indigenous Peoples’ rights, and developing inclusive, green industrialisation strategies that promote benefit sharing and value addition in producer countries and communities, and clean energy access for all.
“Resourcing the energy transition requires a new paradigm rooted in equity and justice”, said the UN Secretary-General Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals. COP30 offers a historic opportunity to begin delivering the transformative change we need.
Sincerely,
Signatory organisations:
| ActionAid International | Global |
| Amnesty International | Global |
| Business and Human Rights Resource Centre | Global |
| Climate Action Network (CAN) | Global |
| Climate Rights International | Global |
| Cultural Survival | Global |
| Earthworks | Global |
| ECOS | Global |
| Fair Finance International | Global |
| Global Witness | Global |
| Greenpeace | Global |
| Human Rights Watch | Global |
| International Accountability Project | Global |
| Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) | Global |
| Oxfam | Global |
| Recourse | Global |
| Resource Justice Network | Global |
| Seas At Risk | Global |
| The Future We Need | Global |
| Transparency International | Global |
| Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO) | Global |
| Fundación Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (FARN) | Argentina |
| Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland | Australia |
| Resource Justice Network Australia | Australia |
| SJ Around the Bay | Australia |
| Transparency International’s Accountable Mining Program | Australia |
| Transparency International Australia | Australia |
| Nook Studios | Australia |
| Currie Country Social Change Aboriginal Corporation | Australia |
| Are for the elderly intelectuals PU | Azerbaijan |
| Democracy Monitor PU, National EITI Coalition of Azerbaijani NGOs | Azerbaijan |
| Fern | Belgique |
| 11.11.11 | Belgium |
| EEB | Belgium |
| EU Raw Materials Coalition | Belgium |
| CAN Europe | Belgium |
| Resource Matters | Belgium/Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Colectivo de DD.HH. Empodérate | Bolivia |
| Botswana Watch Organisation | Botswana |
| Botswana Mine Workers Union | Botswana |
| IBASE – Instituto Brasileiro de Análises Sociais e Econômicas | Brasil |
| Conectas Direitos Humanos | Brasil |
| Instituto Escolhas | Brazil |
| Observatório da Mineração | Brazil |
| E+ Energy Transition Institute | Brazil |
| Plateforme des Tenures foncière et Forestière (TENFOREST) | Burkina Faso |
| ABDER BIO DEV | Burkina Faso |
| Xhuma Africa | Cameroon |
| RAJAPI-COP (African Youth Network for Innovative Projects at the Climate, Biodiversity, and Desertification COPs for Social and Gender Justice) | Cameroon |
| Action Group on Governance and Environmental Management (AGGEM) | Cameroon |
| Fundación Tantí | Chile |
| Investigadora Opsal | Chile |
| Centro de Movilidad Sostenible | Chile |
| Uno Punto Cinco NGO | Chile |
| Corporación de Estudios y Desarrollo Norte Grande | Chile |
| Fundación Chile Sin Ecocidio | Chile |
| Fundación Terram | Chile |
| ONG CEUS Chile | Chile |
| Asociación Chilena de Voluntarios | Chile |
| Fundaciin Relaves | Chile |
| Espacio Público | Chile |
| Fundación Multitudes | Chile |
| Fiscalía del Medio Ambiente (FIMA) | Chile |
| Sustentarse | Chile |
| Aide, Assistance et Développement Communautaire de Côte d’Ivoire (ONG ADC-CI) | Côte d’Ivoire |
| Climate Clock DRC | Democratic Republic of Congo |
| OEARSE | Democratic Republic of Congo |
| ROLBG | Gabon |
| Brot für die Welt | Germany |
| Heinrich-Böll Stiftung | Germany |
| Centre for Social Impact Studies (CeSIS) | Ghana |
| Global Media Foundation LBG | Ghana |
| Association Guinéenne pour la Transparence | Guinée |
| Le Centre du Commerce International pour le Développement (CECIDE) | Guinée |
| Alliance pour le Développement Communautaire Guinée (ADC-Guinée) | Guinée |
| Orbite des Volontaires pour le Developpement Participatif Particip | Guinee Conakry |
| Justice in Mining Network | India |
| Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia | Indonesia |
| CERAH – Indonesia | Indonesia |
| Traction Energy Asia | Indonesia |
| Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS) | Indonesia |
| Indonesian Center for Environmental Law | Indonesia |
| Trend Asia | Indonesia |
| Civil expertise | Kazakhstan |
| Public association Echo | Kazakhstan |
| Friends of Lake Turkana | Kenya |
| Community Action For Health and Development | Kenya |
| Jamaa Resource Initiatives | Kenya |
| FOL Movement | Kosovo |
| Human Rights organization “Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan” | Kyrgyzstan |
| Ciudadanía Inteligente | Latin America |
| Beity association | Lebanon |
| Lebanese Oil and Gas Initiative | Lebanon |
| PCQVP Madagascar | Madagascar |
| Transparency International Initiative Madagascar | Madagascar |
| Nyika Institute | Malawi |
| ONG Guamina | Mali |
| PCQVP-Mali membre du Réseau pour la Justice des Ressources | Mali |
| STOP SAHEL : Association Malienne pour la Protection de l’Environnement | Mali |
| FDS : Fondation pour le Développement au Sahel | Mali |
| Association des Consommateurs du Mali (ASCOMA) | Mali |
| Femmes Bladi pour le Développement et le Tourisme | Maroc |
| Organisation Mauritanienne pour l’Assistance ,la Solidarité Sociale et l’Appui à la Protection de lEnvironnement (OMASSAPE) | Mauritanie |
| PODER (Project on Organization, Development, Education and Research) | Mexico |
| CartoCrítica, A.C. | México |
| Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental A.C. | México |
| Engenera AC | México |
| Centro de Integridade Pública | Moçambique |
| Centre for Human Rights and Development (CHRD) | Mongolia |
| Mongolian Mother Nature Salvation Foundation | Mongolia |
| “Miror of Khovd” newspaper NGO | Mongolia |
| Steps Without Borders NGO | Mongolia |
| AAAJC-Associacao de Apoio e Assistencia Juridica as Comunidades | Mozambique |
| SOMO | Netherlands |
| Relief International Africa | Nigeria |
| Network Advancement Program for Poverty and DRR (NAPPDRR) | Nigeria |
| Community Outreach for Development and Welfare Advocacy (CODWA) | Nigeria |
| Motherhen Development Foundation | Nigeria |
| Ibom Peer Foundation | Nigeria |
| BudgIT | Nigeria |
| Center for Peace Education and Community Development | Nigeria |
| Youth and Environmental Development Association (YEDA) | Nigeria |
| Green Concern for Development (GREENCODE) | Nigeria |
| Global Rights | Nigeria |
| HEDA Resources Centre | Nigeria |
| Accountability Lab Nigeria | Nigeria |
| Resource Justice Network Nigeria (Home of PWYP Nigeria) | Nigeria |
| Ibom Peoples Empowerment and Ecosystem Restoration Foundation (Ibom Peer Foundation) | Nigeria |
| Concern for Women and Youths Empowerment Intl. (COWOYEM) | Nigeria |
| Lawanti community development foundation LCDF | Nigeria |
| Azurfa Women and Youth Development Initiative | Nigeria |
| Support for Women and Teenage Children (SWATCH) | Nigeria |
| Partnership for Social and Environmental Development Initiative – P4SEDI | Nigeria |
| Young innovators and Technical Vocation Initiative | Nigeria |
| Community Empowerment and Development Association (CEDA) | Nigeria |
| Upline Centre for Development (UCD) | Nigeria |
| Santanah Care Foundation | Nigeria |
| Entrepreneurship Initiative for African Youth (EIFAY Africa) | Nigeria |
| Centre for Rights ,Advocacy and Popular Participation | Nigeria |
| Neighbourhood Environment Watch Foundation | Nigeria |
| Community Education Advancement of Peace and Development Initiative (CEAPDI) | Nigeria |
| Aminci Centre for Social Advocacy and Development initiative, CSA nas | Nigeria |
| Youth and Students Advocates for Development Initiative | Nigeria |
| Stephanie Peacebuilding and Development Foundation (SPADEV) | Nigeria |
| Koyenum Immalah Foundation | Nigeria |
| CARE for Adolescents and Women Development Initiative CAWDI | Nigeria |
| Rainforest Foundation Norway | Norway |
| Development Consultancy & Reasesrch | Norway |
| Sociedad Peruana de Derecho Ambiental – SPDA | Peru |
| CooperAcción | Peru |
| Grupo Propuesta Ciudadana | Peru |
| Grupo de Justicia Fiscal | Peru |
| Red Nacional de Clínicas Jurídicas Ambientales del Perú | Peru |
| Polish Zero Waste Association | Poland |
| Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) | Philippines |
| Bantay Kita-PWYP Philippines | Philippines |
| The Asia Pacific-Transition Mineral Accountability Working Group | Philippines |
| Homonhon Environmental Advocates and Rights Defenders | Philippines |
| Convergence of Initiatives for Environmental Justice (CIEJ) | Philippines |
| Sigaw ng Kabataan Coalition (SKC) | Philippines |
| Rencontre pour la Paix et les Droits de l’Homme (RPDH) | Republic of Congo |
| PCQVP Congo, membre de Resource Justice Network | Republic of Congo |
| Espacio Nacional por la Transparencia de la Industria Extractiva (ENTRE) | República Dominicana |
| PCQVP Guinée | Republique de Guinée |
| Article 19 – Afrique de l’Ouest | Senegal |
| Enda Lead Afrique Francophone | Senegal |
| CAJUST | Senegal |
| Enda Energie | Senegal |
| IED Afrique | Senegal |
| Southern Africa Resource Watch | South Africa |
| Projekta | Suriname |
| Earth Council | Switzerland |
| Actions for Democracy and Local Governance (ADLG) | Tanzania |
| Organisation Tchadienne Anti-corruption (OTAC) | Tchad |
| Core Group Transparency Timor-Leste (CGT-TL) | Timor-Leste |
| Association Promotion Civique | Tunisie |
| Association Développement Sans Frontières Tataouine | Tunisie |
| Association Tunisienne de droit de développement | Tunisie |
| Développement sans frontière | Tunisie |
| New Horizons Women’s Education Centre | Uganda |
| End Fossil Occupy Uganda | Uganda |
| War on Want | UK |
| Rights and Accountability in Development (RAID) | UK |
| Climate Action Network UK (CAN-UK) | UK |
| Public Service of Ukraine, Poltava Branch | Ukraine |
| Rights and Resources Initiative | USA |
| University of California, Davis – Institute of Transportation Studies and Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering | USA |
| New Mexico & El Paso Interfaith Power and Light | USA |
| Malach Consulting | USA |
| Nuclear Information and Resource Service | USA |
| Passionist Solidarity Network | USA |
| Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Justice Team | USA |
| Occupy Bergen County | USA |
| Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns | USA |
| GAIA (Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives) | USA |
| Earthjustice | USA |
| Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network | USA |
| Transparency International Zambia | Zambia |
| Publish What You Pay Zambia Coalition | Zambia |
| Climate Action Network (CAN) Zambia | Zambia |
| Climate Action Network (CAN) Zimbabwe | Zimbabwe |
| Power Shift Africa | Zimbabwe |
| Women and Land in Zimbabwe | Zimbabwe |
| Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation | Zimbabwe |