The Expert Group on Resource Management (EGRM) has published the report “Advancing Intergenerational Justice in Critical Raw Materials Management: Assessing the Potential of Demand-side Measures.” This timely release addresses the increasingly urgent sustainability dilemma associated with critical raw material (CRM) value chains. Despite these materials’ importance in producing clean energy technologies such as electric vehicles and renewable energy systems, their extraction contributes to significant negative social and ecological impacts such as biodiversity loss and social disruption, especially in vulnerable ecosystems and communities.
The EGRM’s new document, developed by the Resource Management Young Members Group (RMYMG) and the SDG Working Group, calls for a shift away from the current governance approach of short-term extraction to one that prioritises sustainability and intergenerational justice.
A Call for Intergenerational Justice in CRM Management
At the heart of the EGRM’s report is the principle of intergenerational justice, which emphasises that resource management today must not compromise the well-being of future generations. The group argues that current CRM policies from advanced economies focuses too much on meeting immediate industrial needs, often overlooking the broader ecological and social impacts.
They highlight that policy strategies that seek to achieve short-term emissions reductions through the deployment of decarbonisation technologies without a broader rethinking of current consumption and production patterns will not achieve sustainable climate mitigation, and can even accelerate environmental crises by undermining other planetary boundaries.
To counteract short-term thinking embedded within current policy narratives and ensure intergenerational justice, the EGRM proposes a shift towards demand-side solutions. This approach seeks to reduce resource consumption through pursuing a “sufficiency” approach in advanced economies, which goes beyond efficiency and circular economy initiatives. Instead, it promotes lifestyle and societal changes that enhance well-being while lowering material demand. Addressing the root causes of unsustainable consumption and production ensures that future generations will inherit a liveable planet and equitable access to resources.
While the report’s analysis does not challenge the continued need for CRMs, it calls for a more measured response to the global mineral rush. It also emphasises the potential of demand-side measures in advanced economies to mitigate the need for increased extraction and associated externalities without losing sight of the carbon mitigation needed to address climate goals. At the same time, the report underscores the importance of improving access to resources for low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) for sustainable development goals.
Demand-Side Solutions for a Just Transition
The Expert Group has presented several policy options that governments, companies and consumers could implement to move from resource management to resource stewardship. These proposals include:
- Reducing resource consumption by centering well-being: By promoting public transport, energy-efficient buildings, and shared resources, societies can reduce CRM demand and mitigate environmental harm.
- Inclusive governance: The report calls for participatory decision-making frameworks that involve youth, Indigenous communities, and marginalised groups in resource management, ensuring that all voices are heard.
- Strengthening accountability: The EGRM advocates for stronger governance frameworks, including binding due diligence laws, to hold governments and corporations accountable for the social and environmental impacts of CRM extraction.
- Shifting societal behaviours: Promoting changes in cultural norms to move away from overconsumption and overproduction, the EGRM emphasises that demand-side solutions can create more sustainable economies that prioritise well-being over material growth.
Voices Shaping the Future
What sets this document apart is the fresh perspective brought by youth leaders. The RMYMG collaborated with other youth-led organisations, such as Generation Climate Europe, ReGeneration 2030, and the Children and Youth Major Group to the UN Environment Programme and the European Environmental Bureau, on a workshop to co-develop policy solutions included in the report.
As the Expert Group presents its findings at the upcoming Committee on Sustainable Energy (CSE) meeting, it is clear that their contributions can potentially influence global policies on CRM management. By emphasising sustainability and intergenerational equity, their work lays the foundation for a future where resources are managed responsibly, ensuring a just transition for current and future generations.
