A compass for sustainability? Semiconductors, rare earths and CSR: the case of onsemi

Abstract Semiconductors are a rampant ICT sector utilized in everyday life for electronic devices. This industry provides plentiful income to multinational corporations (MNCs) but has been put in the spotlight for its tremendous social, ecological, and political impact. The figures become dramatic in sub-Saharan Africa and developing countries, which have abundant resources but poor working conditions and abrupt environmental degradation. In this interplay, rare earths have become leading assets for companies and governments and are highly debated for their controversial nature; thereby, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental practices turn pivotal. This work aims to connect the bountiful industrial sector of semiconductors with rare earths governance and CSR. To this end, this inquiry critically scrutinizes these three assets, analyzing the case study of onsemi as a business case and launching selected strategic and policy perspectives. This paper reviews these three concepts and conducts a content analysis on onsemi CSR Report and Annual Sustainability Report. The literature review emphasizes the increasing importance of these three topics within the mineral economics and sustainability research. The company analyzed produced cogent reports but supplementary information is needed to better understand its results within the semiconductors and extractive industry. This may help determining key achievements and areas for improvements in the private sector for REE sustainability, CSR and environment, social and governance (ESG) results and disclosure. The availability and governance of rare earths will determine decisive sustainability directions of utmost priority for geopolitical equilibria. The undertaken corporate and institutional strategies will lean toward dramatically diverse scenarios.