The Uncomfortable Truth: Divestment's Dark Side and the Path Forward

The recent War on Want festival in London held on February 24th, 2024 was an experience that left me deeply moved and profoundly challenged. Surrounded by thousands passionate about global justice and solidarity, I witnessed firsthand the power of collective action and the urgency for change. But one particular session left me grappling with an uncomfortable truth that deserves attention.

As senior leaders, we're acutely aware of the climate crisis and the urgent need for transition. The fossil fuel divestment movement over the last decade has driven a $40.6 trillion shift away from fossil fuel. However, our pursuit of a greener future with well-intentioned efforts to embrace cleaner technologies is inadvertently contributing to human rights abuses in the form of child labour and unethical mining practices.

The topic sparked a burning debate: how can we ensure a green climate action movement for truly sustainable future, one that respects human dignity and environmental well-being in equal measure?

The minerals crucial for renewable technologies – lithium for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and mobile phones, cobalt for lithium-ion batteries in both, nickel for EV batteries and stainless steel in wind turbines, and rare earth elements for magnets in wind turbines and solar panels – are often extracted in Global South countries with lax regulations and rampant exploitation.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a source of over 70% of the world's cobalt, is a stark example. Here, children as young as seven toil in unregulated mines, exposed to toxic dust and unsafe conditions. This is not an isolated case; UNICEF estimates that over 1 million children are trapped in forced labour across the mining sector.

Turning a blind eye is no longer an option. The mobile phones in our pockets and the electric cars we drive are testaments to our collective shared responsibility given our dependence on these precious minerals. We cannot, in good conscience, embrace the benefits of a greener future while ignoring the human cost of its foundation.

We must acknowledge that our divestment from fossil fuels, while driven by noble intentions has inadvertently contributed to a system that preys on the most vulnerable. This isn't just an ethical failing; it's a sustainability risk. Consumers are increasingly demanding ethical sourcing and companies with tarnished reputations risk losing market share.

So, what can we do? Simply divesting further isn't the answer. We need to act with nuance, responsibility, and urgency. Here are three key steps:

1. Invest in Responsible Sourcing in Supply Chain: Partner with organisations like the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) to ensure minerals come from ethical sources. This involves demanding transparency and accountability through the supply chain, from suppliers, conducting audits and advocating for stricter regulations in source countries.

2. Invest in Responsible Innovation with Vision: Accelerate research and development of alternative battery technologies that go beyond incremental improvements and break the dependency on problematic minerals altogether.

• Solid-state batteries: Invest in research institutions and startups pioneering this technology, promising faster charging, longer range, and improved safety without relying on cobalt.
• Sodium-ion batteries: Support the development and commercialisation of this readily available and environmentally friendly alternative, particularly for stationary energy storage. https://www.anl.gov/article/media-tip-cathode-innovation-makes-sodiumion-battery-an-attractive-option-for-electric-vehicles
• Organic batteries: Fund research into overcoming limitations and bringing these truly sustainable and recyclable solutions closer to market viability.

3. Mobilise Advocacy for Change with Urgency: Our collective voices carry significant weight, but traditional advocacy can be slow.

• Collaborate with Climate Clock : harness the power of Climate Clocks for mobilising global collective action and advocacy of key systemic lifeline solutions such as renewable energy and more. Climate Clock serves as a crucial globally recognised timekeeper and a stark reminder of the time left to avert irrevocable effects of climate change, urging everyone of the shared collective responsibility to #ActInTime.

The uncomfortable truth we face is not insurmountable. It serves as a powerful call to action, urging us to move beyond complacency and embrace our shared responsibility.

We, as leaders, have the power to ignite change. By partnering with organisations that champion ethical sourcing, investing in groundbreaking technologies and amplifying grassroot voices demanding accountability, we can chart a course towards a truly sustainable future. Only through the power of collective action, fueled by compassion and responsibility, a world can be built where environmental progress doesn't come at the cost of human suffering.

The journey ahead demands unwavering commitment to build a future worthy of the generations to come, echoing to humanity's spirit of global justice and solidarity.

The time for action is now. Together, we're stronger!