Risks of violent conflict will rise as the green transition picks up speed

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Financial Times or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Climate change and the energy transition are increasingly sources of conflict
• Conservative and far-right parties weaponize these issues in culture wars, while countries dependent on fossil fuels face potential rebellion and violence as they shift away from oil

🔭 The context: Countries like Iraq, Libya, and Nigeria, whose economies rely heavily on fossil fuels, are particularly vulnerable
• Regions mining minerals essential for renewable technologies, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, also risk conflict over control of resources

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The transition to renewable energy must consider not only environmental sustainability but also the social and political stability of affected communities
• Unaddressed, the shift could exacerbate violence and undermine global peace efforts

⏭️ What's next: More rigorous assessments of conflict risks in renewable energy investments are needed
• Countries must diversify their economies, and renewable projects should prioritize decentralization and local benefits to mitigate potential conflicts

💬 One quote: “Sustainability needs to apply not just to the production or storage of energy, but also to the rights of the affected communities.”

📈 One stat: The Democratic Republic of Congo holds 70% of the world’s cobalt reserves, essential for batteries used in renewable energy technologies

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