Justice in Critical Mineral Futures

This project's objective is to generate an overview of justice related concerns in critical mineral futures at international, national and community scales.

This project explores justice-related concerns in the global shift to renewable energy, focusing on the extraction of critical minerals—often sourced from Indigenous lands in low- and middle-income countries. While these minerals are essential for renewable technologies, their extraction risks replicating colonial and capitalist exploitation. The project will conduct a systematic literature review to assess how justice is conceptualised through indicators across international, national, and community levels.

A hybrid workshop will bring together academics and stakeholders from the UK, Ghana, Indonesia, and beyond to co-develop a justice framework and future research agenda. Outputs include a published report, an indicator-based framework, and a foundation for a larger collaborative grant.

By highlighting the socio-political dimensions of mineral extraction, the project aims to embed justice in climate and energy policy, supporting more equitable and sustainable transitions.