IEA：可追溯性在关键矿产供应链中的作用_78页_5mb

Summary of "The Role of Traceability in Critical Mineral Supply Chains"

Core Content

This report, jointly prepared by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), examines the role of traceability in ensuring responsible and sustainable supply chains for critical minerals. As global demand for these minerals rises due to the energy transition, traceability becomes essential for identifying and managing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks across the supply chain.

The report outlines a roadmap for policymakers and industry stakeholders to effectively implement traceability systems, emphasizing that such systems should be context-sensitive, interoperable, and aligned with policy objectives.

Main Viewpoints

• Traceability is not the goal, but a tool to support clear policy objectives such as sustainability, security, and responsible sourcing.
• Effective traceability systems require:
  • Appropriate technical infrastructure that balances cost, scalability, and interoperability.
  • Accurate and verifiable data on product origin, geographical path, chain of custody, and physical evolution.
  • Supply chain collaboration among companies, governments, and civil society.
  • Robust governance and verification mechanisms to ensure data reliability and stakeholder trust.
• ESG data can be integrated into traceability systems, providing a comprehensive view of sustainability performance and risk.

Key Information

Overview of Critical Minerals

The energy transition will significantly increase demand for critical minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, graphite, cobalt, and rare earth elements. In the IEA's Stated Policies Scenario, mineral demand for clean energy technologies is expected to double by 2030, and in more ambitious climate scenarios, it could triple.

Challenges of Traceability

• Complex supply chains and geographical variability can complicate traceability efforts.
• Artisanal and small-scale mining may require adaptable solutions to ensure inclusivity.
• Blending and trading can obscure end-to-end traceability, especially in minerals like graphite.
• Conflicting compliance requirements, practical limitations, and varying technical capabilities across the supply chain pose significant barriers to widespread implementation.

Role of Traceability

Traceability can:

• Support regulatory compliance by enabling transparency in mineral sourcing and processing.
• Enhance market trust through product differentiation based on sustainability performance.
• Facilitate supply chain security by identifying and mitigating risks in high-risk or conflict-affected areas.
• Enable better policy decisions by providing data for trend analysis and targeted interventions.

Roadmap for Traceability Implementation

The report presents an eight-step roadmap to help policymakers and industry actors develop and implement effective traceability systems:

1. Determine policy objectives and understand the supply chain context.
2. Choose which products to focus on, based on the supply chain stage and policy goals.
3. Determine what information to collect and share, including origin, path, chain of custody, and ESG performance.
4. Select which operators to focus on, depending on the country's position in the supply chain.
5. Promote interoperability protocols that allow for flexible technology use and secure data sharing.
6. Establish trust mechanisms, such as verifiable credentials and Authorised Economic Operator status.
7. Create incentives for traceability, including economic and regulatory tools.
8. Engage with stakeholders in foreign jurisdictions to ensure cross-border collaboration and data sharing.

Conclusion

Traceability systems, when carefully designed and implemented, can significantly contribute to the resilience, reliability, and sustainability of critical mineral supply chains. However, their success depends on collaboration, standardisation, data quality, and stakeholder engagement. The report provides a practical framework for policymakers and industry actors to build traceability systems that are fit for purpose, inclusive, and aligned with global sustainability and security goals.