Sustainable production of critical raw materials for low-carbon transitions

This initiative seeks to empower selected countries to sustainably produce critical raw materials—such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements—vital for the global low-carbon energy transition. By applying the United Nations Resource Management System (UNRMS) and adopting international best practices, it enhances responsible resource extraction while minimizing environmental, social, and economic impacts.

Our approach

The project aligns with the principles and requirements of the UNRMS. It aims to:

• Enhance the critical raw material production capacities of selected countries (Jordan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, and Tajikistan),
• Achieve circular low-carbon transitions in producing critical raw materials.

Our partners

• Economic Commission for Europe
• Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
• Economic Commission for Africa
• Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
• United Nations Development Programme
• United Nations Environment Programme

The project is funded from the 16th Tranche of the United Nations’ Development Account.

Our activities

Below are the expected outputs for the project:

Output 1.1: Two policy guidance and best practices toolkits for sustainable production- incorporating gender and social considerations- with a focus on (i) Improving sustainability and security and (ii) Advancing innovation and circularity in critical raw materials (in alignment with UNRMS). [2024]

Output 1.2: Three workshops to share expertise and promote sustainable practices in critical raw material production, engaging stakeholders across various levels. [2024, 2025-2026, 2027]

Output 1.3: Multi-stakeholder partnerships established through surveys, interviews and 2 interactive online events to drive joint action on the sustainable production of critical raw materials.  [2024, 2026]

Output 2.1: Country-specific capacity-building plans and strategies for the sustainable production of selected critical raw materials. [2025, 2026] 

Output 2.2: 4 training courses (2 in-person and 2 online), comprising 6 modules, to build capacity among mining professionals, government officials, and local communities in sustainable mining practices and mineral processing technologies. [2024, 2025, 2026, 2027]

Output 2.3: Country-specific case studies applying UNRMS principles to analyze sustainable production practices for  selected critical raw materials. [2025, 2026]