Minimise demand for transition minerals

Chapter 9.2.1 Strategic approaches

Develop a Resource Justice Strategy to deal with energy transition minerals, such as lithium, nickel and cobalt, which are needed for the energy transition.

International

UK Govt

Scottish Govt

Local Authorities

Emissions reduction

Behaviour change

Transition minerals are vital to the energy transition away from fossil fuels. While Scotland must transform its energy systems to meet its climate goals, to do so without minimising demand for transition minerals will compromise the aims of a Just Transition and risk failing to deliver a fully renewable energy system.

The social and environmental damage created by transition mineral supply chains is extensive and serious, including human rights and labour abuses, environmental destruction and associated exacerbation of climate injustice. As countries around the world seek to decarbonise their energy systems, demand for transition minerals is predicted to increase rapidly, alongside the associated social and environmental harm. For instance, the global demand for lithium could increase by as much as fifty times over the next twenty years and currently only a tiny fraction of used lithium is recycled.

There is an opportunity for Scotland to create a more circular economy to shape the future of our energy sources. The Scottish Government must create a circular economy strategy for steel, by the end of 2025. This should prioritise retaining the materials and skills required for the energy transition of Scotland. Rather than being market-led, the transition can happen at a scale which is appropriate for Scotland and creates just, green jobs. This strategy should be developed in consultation with key stakeholders (prioritising steel and decommissioning experts, workers and their trade unions), and outline opportunities that could be made available to workers with transferable skills from high-carbon industries.

The Scottish Government must also create a Resource Justice Strategy for Scotland, which includes within it a plan for fair and sustainable consumption of transition minerals.

The aim of the Resource Justice Strategy should be to ensure Scotland’s consumption of materials is sustainable as soon as possible and no later than 2045. The approach should be guided by statutory and science-based consumption reduction targets, with 2030 interim targets to ensure action begins as soon as possible. Successfully meeting these targets will require policies which focus on demand reduction, the development of clear and transparent datasets and the implementation of a collaborative policy process.

The Resource Justice Strategy should include specific requirements to ensure Scotland’s consumption of transition minerals is sustainable and just as the energy transition progresses. Other relevant policies, such as Scotland’s Circular Economy Strategy, Waste Route Map and the Energy Strategy, should also be part of the Resource Justice Strategy framework. Existing policies should be adapted to reflect the Resource Justice Strategy and those policies under development should embed the strategy’s overarching principles.

The Resource Justice Strategy should be based on five key pillars:

commitment to a globally-just material transition
consumption reduction targets, which are now required by section six of the Circular Economy Act
demand reduction policies
clear and transparent data
fair and collaborative policy process

For further information: