China accused of scores of abuses linked to ‘green mineral’ mining

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece from The Guardian here or enjoy below!  

🗞️ Driving the news: A report by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC) reveals over 100 allegations of environmental and human rights violations connected to China's overseas transition mineral investments in 2021 and 2022

🔭 The Context: China, world leader in the processing of minerals essential for green-energy technologies, faces allegations of indigenous rights violations, attacks on grassroots leaders, water pollution, ecosystem destruction, and unsafe working conditions

🌎 Why does it matter for the planet: These alleged violations highlight the environmental and social costs of the green transitions
• Responsible and sustainable practices are necessary to ensure that the green transition does not perpetuate or exacerbate existing inequalities and environmental degradation

⏭️ What’s next: While China has recently introduced a mediation scheme for stakeholders to file complaints against companies in the minerals supply chain, the initiative lacks enforcement powers
• Moreover, global scrutiny is essential as Chinese companies supply transition minerals to Western companies, who share responsibility in due diligence

💬 One quote: “The energy and land needed for exploration, extraction and processing of transition minerals leaves behind a significant carbon footprint, characterized by human rights abuses and puts more strain on scarce surface and ground water resources,” (Eric Ngang, Global Witness)

📈 One stat: Of the Chinese firms implicated in the alleged violations, fewer than one in five responded to the allegations when approached by the Centre
• This compares to a 56% response rate from mining companies globally

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