Drive Sustainability engaged high-level stakeholders at the 2023 OECD Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains in Paris, emphasizing the crucial interplay between the EU policymakers, supply chain partners, producers, and consumers for enhancing livelihoods throughout the automotive value chain.
Engaging the mining communities is key to fight corruption, address environmental degradation associated with mineral production and foster local sustainable development. This was the key message launched by Drive Sustainability’s facilitator, CSR Europe, to stakeholders attending the OECD Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains, held in Paris from 24th to 28th April.
Over the course of three sessions, CSR Europe’s Executive Director, Stefan Crets, and Senior Project Manager, Luciana Rendace, touched upon the impact of the EU Battery Regulation, the role of environmental due diligence in the Just Transition, and the state of play of the Congolese mining industry when it comes to responsible procurement.
On the other hand, participants highlighted the crucial importance of systematic assessment and risk mitigation to ensure the establishment of responsible and reliable mineral supply chains that have a positive impact on the people and the planet. This means for instance that companies examine factors such as resource extraction, waste management, energy consumption, and pollution levels. This approach holds particularly true for minerals that play a pivotal role in the energy transition. In this context, the collaboration between governments, industry players, civil society organizations, and trade unions is of paramount importance. It serves as the catalyst for fostering transparency, community involvement, and environmental stewardship. This collaborative effort is crucial for advancing responsible mineral sourcing and production, ultimately leading to the sustainable development of mineral supply chains.
For more information:
Luciana Rendace, Senior Project Manager Drive Sustainability, CSR Europe
