Critical Minerals Excluded from COP30 Discussions Despite Importance
At COP30, critical minerals were initially included in discussions but ultimately excluded from the final text due to opposition from Russia and China. These minerals, essential for the energy transition, are crucial for producing batteries, solar panels, and energy systems. Despite their exclusion, the discussions highlighted the importance of developing sustainable and responsible supply chains for these minerals. The conference also saw protests over the environmental and social impacts of mining, particularly in Brazil, the host country, which has significant reserves of rare earths.