What are the environmental, social and governance risks tied to the extraction of energy transition minerals and metals (ETMs) in the Pacific? And what does this mean for just transitions in the region?

As part of the Just Transitions and the Pacific project we have produced a first-of-a-kind dataset that maps ETMs and mining concessions in the Pacific Islands region against composite environmental, social and governance (ESG) indicators. The dataset, and the accompanying methodology and summary briefing note, provides the basis to identify and understand the broader justice issues that co-occur with specific energy transition ore bodies, and to map potential justice risks that will accompany future extractive activities in the Pacific. Our results are unequivocal:

• In the Pacific region, the conditions around ETM mining projects appear more complex and volatile than in the rest of the world
• ETM mining projects in the Pacific are on average more exposed to situated ESG risks than ETM projects in the rest of the world

The dataset can be downloaded here and the methodology and summary briefing note accompanying the dataset can be downloaded here

Please use the following citations for the dataset and the briefing note respectively:

Lèbre, E., Bainton, N., Burton, J. and E. Skrzypek. 2021. Pacific energy transition-extractives nexus integrated dataset. Just Transitions and the Pacific Project: University of St Andrews and University of Queensland.

Lèbre, E., Skrzypek, E., Burton, J. and N. Bainton. 2021. Pacific energy transition-extractives nexus integrated dataset: methodology and summary briefing note. Just Transitions and the Pacific Project: University of St Andrews and University of Queensland.