As the Philippines works to ramp up mining to meet global demand for metals crucial to the green energy transition, environmental groups are demanding strict limits to protect nature and Indigenous lands.
The Philippines has the world's fourth-largest copper reserves, fifth-biggest nickel deposits and is also rich in cobalt — all of which have important uses in clean energy technologies, from lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) to solar panels.
Mineral requirements for renewable energy technologies must be quadrupled by 2040 to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement, and the World Bank estimates a 500% increase in the demand for transition minerals.