Engaging Communities in a Just Transition (Climate Week NYC)

The expansion of renewable energy technologies is reshaping mineral value chains. For communities living close to mining projects, a mining boom carries both opportunities and risks. While mining can support local development, it can also disrupt ecosystems and livelihoods. Involving communities in decision-making is therefore crucial to establishing just and sustainable value chains for the energy transition.

This roundtable discussion considered ways to maximise benefits and mitigate risks for local populations in the energy transition. It focused on creating dialogue between impacted communities and companies across the mineral value chain – from miners to electric vehicle manufacturers and renewable energy companies. Drawing on insights from the EITI’s Engaging communities in a just transition project, supported by the Ford Foundation, as well as research by the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) and partners on corruption and socioenvironmental harms, the event showcased practical tools for promoting community data use and multi-stakeholder dialogue. The discussion built on wider efforts to establish responsible value chains for the energy transition, including the UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals and discussions emerging from the Second Africa Climate Summit and in the lead-up to COP30.