Welcoming an International Critical Minerals Treaty as part of the Global Climate Change and Sustainability Transition Agenda

Abstract Critical minerals are rising in value in terms of how they enable society to have a just and sustainable climate transition. They form a critical part of the circular economy, the energy transition and overall are increasingly diffusing into the everyday life of society. Critical minerals, being part of the mining sector, have a long and dark legacy of environmental damage and unjust financial distributions. This needs to change as they become central to the societal transitions needed to respond to climate change challenges. In order to achieve this, this brief article advances that an International Critical Minerals Treaty is needed and should be advanced and established at the UN COP31 event later in 2026. It would benefit all countries and improve the position of society in achieving its climate and sustainable development goals.