This episode of the Weekly Tradecast looks at the rare metals and minerals used in mobile phones, laptops and electric car batteries with Clovis Freire, chief of the commodity research and analysis section at UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
Electric vehicles are seen as clean because they don’t belch out exhaust fumes that fuel climate change. But some of the materials that go into them – especially the minerals and rare elements in their batteries – have large carbon footprints.
The environmental impact of extracting materials like cobalt, copper, lithium and graphite is a major concern.
In countries where much of the mining is done, there can be issues over human rights and the benefits to communities. With demand high and supplies limited, these materials also drive concerns about market domination by just a few producers.
Tune in to UN Trade and Development’s Clovis Freire to find out more about these rare metals and minerals and how to make them greener.
77. Ring in the new: A look back at the big issues of 2023 and where we go from here with UNCTAD experts
76. All aboard the environment express: Global tourism needs more investment to reach greener heights
75. No time to waste: Why we need far more investment around climate change and sustainable development
74. Green light: How trade can drive the clean energy transition and cut global emissions
73. Shaping the future: Why the right digital path is key to sustainable and inclusive development
72. Food for thought: Can fish ever be sustainable as human hunger grows?
71. UN report: After years of lost growth, least developed countries need inclusive finance to meet development goals
70. Investing in the female future: Why we need better financing for women entrepreneurs
69. A booster for the future: Why investment in healthcare needs to be bigger and broader
68. Back on track: How to help small businesses recover from turmoil and return to growth
67. Prices and profits: Is commodity speculation making the global food crisis worse?
66. UN trade report: Global economy sees weak growth as many financial and development challenges remain
65. Charting the course: Shipping industry must balance uncertainty, investment and the environment
64. Commodity conundrum: Why developing countries need to add value to their exports of raw materials
63. Rising concerns: Solutions, strategies to keep the good face of inflation, not the bad and the ugly
62. Rising concerns: The good, the bad and the ugly faces of inflation
61. Easing the burden: Reforms to multilateral lenders and money for developing countries on G20 agenda
60. Extinction or protection: The race to stop the illegal wildlife trade before it’s too late
59. Disruption and demand: How Africa can help diversify global supply chains
58. Cracked rice bowl: Why an essential crop needs to be bigger but also better for the environment
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