In this information sheet for responsible investors, we will outline the priorities from an NGO perspective on the issue of conflict minerals. In particular, we will focus on the need for the European Commission to develop legislation to curb the mineral trade that contributes to armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and elsewhere. Responsible investors can play a decisive role in encouraging law-makers to take concrete measures by making their opinions known.
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Urgent need for EU legislative action to keep European surveillance tech out of Iran
As Iran rages with protests for democracy and human rights, camera surveillance has become one of the primary tools used by Iran’s authoritarian regime to identify opponents and oppress the population. Against the backdrop of…
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read moreCaught on camera: How CCTV tech contributes to human rights abuse in Iran
European Union: rules for batteries should cover bauxite, copper, iron
The European Union’s proposed batteries regulation should require importers and manufacturers to source the bauxite, copper, and iron used in batteries responsibly, a coalition of 16 organizations said today. The coalition includes Amnesty International, Earthworks,…
European Parliament approval of draft Batteries Regulation is a welcome step towards just energy transition
SOMO and GoodElectronics welcome the EU draft legislation on batteries approved on Thursday by the European Parliament and call on EU member states to agree on the text without delays or attempts to water it…
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Electric vehicle boom taking heavy social and environmental toll
Mass adoption of electric vehicles is widely seen by governments and businesses as a key element of the energy transition. But the soaring demand for batteries to propel these vehicles comes with devastating social and…
The battery paradox
Challenging Europe’s mining expansion plans
On 4 September 2020, the European Commission (EC) released a new communication detailing the future of its policies on mining raw materials critical for renewable energy, digital and industrial transitions in Europe. The EC’s public relations…