In its September 2024 report, the UN Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals’ calls for human rights to be at the core of all mineral value chains. The report puts the emphasis on the need to progress swiftly on respect for human rights in mineral supply chains and to enhance accountability.  As illustrated by data from the Transition Minerals Tracker, abuses of rights and environmental degradation remain a reality in transition mineral extraction, reinforcing the need for strong action by businesses, investors and governments.  

In this context, this two-part webinar series will discuss key developments in responsible sourcing of minerals required for batteries as part of a just energy transition. The webinars will look at two key regions for mineral sourcing: Southeast Asia and Latin America.  

This two-part webinar series will aim to answer the following questions:  

• What are their new obligations under the CSDDD/EU Battery Regulation? What should companies using or manufacturing batteries do to meet their obligations to respect human rights in their indirect sourcing of minerals as part of (and beyond) these regulations?  
• What impacts does transitional mineral extraction currently have in key regions such as Southeast Asia and Latin America?   
• What are investors’ expectations towards companies – and what is the role of investors in undertaking human rights due diligence?  

The recording of the first part of the series, focusing on South East Asia, can be found here.

4-5pm CET, 11 December: Latin America

The second webinar will focus on responsible sourcing of battery minerals from Latin America. The webinar will outline the specific human rights context in the region, including a deep dive into lithium and copper in Chile, with perspectives from civil society, industry, and investors. Speakers will also discuss policy developments and due diligence requirements for end users and manufacturers of minerals used for batteries, including the EU Battery Regulation, the Critical Raw Materials Act, CSDDD, among others. 

The webinar will be moderated by Lady Nancy Zuluaga Jaramillo Senior Legal Researcher & Project Coordinator, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. 

Speakers will include:

• José Aylwin, Coordinator of the Globalization and Human Rights Program, Observatorio Ciudadano 
• Sergio Chamorro Avilés, Consejo de Pueblos Atacameños, Chile 
• Emily Ritchey, Supply Chains Policy Manager, Transport and Environment
• Jenny Vento, President of Human Rights Committee, Sociedad Nacional de Minería, Petróleo y Energía (Peru)

English-Spanish interpretation will be provided.