Short answer
Prioritize material sourcing from low-risk regions or invest in technologies and processes that mitigate the identified ESG risks in high-risk extraction areas.
- Field
- Resource Management
- Source
- Nature Communications (2020)
- Method
- Quantitative analysis using composite Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) indicators.
- Evidence
- Strong effect
The increasing demand for metals crucial to low-carbon energy technologies is exacerbating environmental and social stresses in mining regions, with a substantial portion of critical resources located in high-risk areas. This resource management research insight is drawn from a 2020 study published in Nature Communications. Using Quantitative analysis using composite environmental, social, and governance (esg) indicators., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Prioritize material sourcing from low-risk regions or invest in technologies and processes that mitigate the identified ESG risks in high-risk extraction areas.
Energy transition metals extraction poses significant environmental and social risks in 84% of platinum and 70% of cobalt resources.
The increasing demand for metals crucial to low-carbon energy technologies is exacerbating environmental and social stresses in mining regions, with a substantial portion of critical resources located in high-risk areas.
Nature Communications · 2020
Key Findings
- 0184% of platinum resources are located in high-risk contexts.
- 0270% of cobalt resources are located in high-risk contexts.
- 03Major metals like iron and copper are projected to disturb more land due to heightened demand.
- 04Jurisdictions with low-risk contexts are better positioned to implement safeguards against mining-related risks.
Application
Design takeaway
Prioritize material sourcing from low-risk regions or invest in technologies and processes that mitigate the identified ESG risks in high-risk extraction areas.
How to apply
When selecting materials for new designs, research the ESG risk profile of the regions where those materials are primarily extracted. Consider alternative materials or design strategies that reduce the demand for high-risk commodities.
Project actions
- 01When choosing materials for your design project, investigate the origin of those materials and any associated environmental or social concerns.
- 02Consider how your design can minimize the use of materials that have high extraction risks.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a quantitative assessment of ESG risks across multiple metal commodities.
- +Highlights specific high-risk metals (platinum, cobalt) and their resource locations.
Limitations
This study provides a broad overview; specific mining operations within high-risk regions may have varying levels of environmental and social management.
Reliability & validity
The study's reliability is supported by its use of a comprehensive ESG indicator framework and analysis of multiple metal commodities. Validity is enhanced by its focus on global resource distribution and risk co-occurrence.
Think critically
How can designers actively contribute to mitigating the negative social and environmental impacts of energy transition metal extraction through their design choices and material selection processes?
Design Principles
"Ethical material sourcing and lifecycle impact assessment are integral to sustainable design."
Designers and engineers must consider the full lifecycle impact of products, including the sourcing of raw materials. Understanding the geopolitical and environmental risks associated with energy transition metals is crucial for developing sustainable and ethically sourced designs.
What This Means for Your Design
The metals needed for things like electric cars and solar panels often come from places where mining causes big problems for the environment and people. This means we need to be careful about where we get these materials and how we design products to use them responsibly.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify the selection of specific materials, or the avoidance of others, based on their environmental and social impact during extraction.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The sourcing of materials for energy transition technologies presents significant environmental and social challenges. Research indicates that a substantial proportion of critical metals like platinum and cobalt are extracted from regions with high ESG risks, necessitating careful consideration of material provenance and supply chain ethics in design.
Source
Nature Communications
The social and environmental complexities of extracting energy transition metals
journal · 2020
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about energy transition metals extraction poses significant environmental and social risks in 84% of platinum and 70% of cobalt resources?
- Prioritize material sourcing from low-risk regions or invest in technologies and processes that mitigate the identified ESG risks in high-risk extraction areas. Evidence: Nature Communications (2020).
- Why does "Energy transition metals extraction poses significant environmental and social risks in 84% of platinum and 70% of cobalt resources." matter for design?
- Designers and engineers must consider the full lifecycle impact of products, including the sourcing of raw materials. Understanding the geopolitical and environmental risks associated with energy transition metals is crucial for developing sustainable and ethically sourced designs.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Prioritize material sourcing from low-risk regions or invest in technologies and processes that mitigate the identified ESG risks in high-risk extraction areas.
- What were the main findings?
- 84% of platinum resources are located in high-risk contexts.. 70% of cobalt resources are located in high-risk contexts.. Major metals like iron and copper are projected to disturb more land due to heightened demand.. Jurisdictions with low-risk contexts are better positioned to implement safeguards against mining-related risks.
- What research method was used?
- Quantitative analysis using composite Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) indicators..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2020 journal from Nature Communications.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When selecting materials for new designs, research the ESG risk profile of the regions where those materials are primarily extracted. Consider alternative materials or design strategies that reduce the demand for high-risk commodities.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focuses on resource location and does not fully capture the dynamic nature of risk management or the specific impacts of individual mining operations.