ESG Viewpoint – Can mining be a responsible investment?
Insights

ESG Viewpoint – Can mining be a responsible investment?

Its environmental and social impacts can make mining hard to square with a responsible investment approach

As the world shifts away from fossil fuels – a move that increases demand for ‘transition metals’ – we explore the need to think again.

The mining sector has a range of serious, inherent environmental and social impacts that can make it extremely hard to square with a responsible investment approach. Its very business model is based on the extraction and utilisation of the earth’s finite resources. When poorly planned, projects can also run into land rights issues or impact sites of cultural or natural importance. Badly managed mining waste products have been found to pollute local water resources or lead to disasters like the 2019 Brumadinho tailings dam collapse in Brazil that killed 270 people. Additionally, the metals and mining industry contribute around 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

However, society is increasingly reliant on the sector’s outputs as we seek to accelerate the energy transition, which is already driving increased demand for “transition metals” like copper, nickel, cobalt and lithium. We have examined transition metals’ role in decarbonisation, and therefore whether they can be considered a responsible investment, focusing on copper as one of the more commonly used metals, with clearer data on demand growth and end usage.

Interested in learning more?

Read more about the growing demand for transition metals and the need to balance growing hunger for the likes of copper with socio-environmental impacts. Download the full viewpoint to discover more.

 

11 October 2022
Harry Ashman
Harry Ashman
Vice President, Analyst, Responsible Investment
Share article
Share on linkedin
Share on email
Key topics
Related topics
Listen on Stitcher badge
Share article
Share on linkedin
Share on email
Key topics
Related topics

PDF

ESG Viewpoint – Can mining be a responsible investment?

Risk Disclaimer

Views and opinions have been arrived at by Columbia Threadneedle Investments and should not be considered to be a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell any companies that may be mentioned.

 

The information, opinions, estimates or forecasts contained in this document were obtained from sources reasonably believed to be reliable and are subject to change at any time.

 

Engagement efforts outlined in this Viewpoint reflect the assets of a group of legal entities whose parent company is Columbia Threadneedle Investments UK International Limited and that formerly traded as BMO Global Asset Management EMEA. These entities are now part of Columbia Threadneedle Investments which is the asset management business of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Engagement and voting services are also executed on behalf of reo® clients.

Related Insights

26 March 2024

Ebele Conroy

Investment Analyst, Global Research

Joe Horrocks-Taylor

Senior Associate, Analyst, Responsible Investment

Green machines: the future of transport

The transportation sector has a significant impact on global emissions, but technology innovations, policy changes and shifting behaviours can reduce this. How are the different modes progressing?
Read time - 5 min
20 March 2024

Sally Springer

Senior Thematic Research Analyst, Global Research

The skills factor: greening the workforce to deliver net zero

As we move towards net zero, the number of people with skills useful in transforming the economy is growing more slowly than the job vacancies requiring these skills. What might this mean to various sectors critical to the transition?
Read time - 2 min
15 March 2024

Tom Barron

Senior Associate, Responsible Investment

ESG Viewpoint: Emerging responsible investment trends in Asia

The appetite for responsible investing is growing in Asia, as regulations evolve and client demand increases.
Read time - 2 min
26 March 2024

Fixed Income Desk

In Credit - Weekly Snapshot

In Credit Weekly Snapshot – March 2024

Our fixed income team provide their weekly snapshot of market events.
Read time - 5 min
26 March 2024

Ebele Conroy

Investment Analyst, Global Research

Joe Horrocks-Taylor

Senior Associate, Analyst, Responsible Investment

Green machines: the future of transport

The transportation sector has a significant impact on global emissions, but technology innovations, policy changes and shifting behaviours can reduce this. How are the different modes progressing?
Read time - 5 min
26 March 2024

Claire Robbs

Investment Grade Credit Research, Fixed Income

Chocks away! Airport passenger numbers – and financial metrics – recover

Increased numbers of fliers and supportive concession frameworks mean the industry retains a strong and steady credit trajectory.
Read time - 3 min
true
true

Risk Disclaimer

Views and opinions have been arrived at by Columbia Threadneedle Investments and should not be considered to be a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell any companies that may be mentioned.

 

The information, opinions, estimates or forecasts contained in this document were obtained from sources reasonably believed to be reliable and are subject to change at any time.

 

Engagement efforts outlined in this Viewpoint reflect the assets of a group of legal entities whose parent company is Columbia Threadneedle Investments UK International Limited and that formerly traded as BMO Global Asset Management EMEA. These entities are now part of Columbia Threadneedle Investments which is the asset management business of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Engagement and voting services are also executed on behalf of reo® clients.

You may also like

Investment approach

Teamwork defines us and is fundamental to our investment approach, which is structured to facilitate the generation, assessment and implementation of good, strong investment ideas for our portfolios.

Funds and Prices

Columbia Threadneedle Investments has a comprehensive range of investment funds catering for a broad range of objectives.

Investment Capabilities

We offer a broad range of actively managed investment strategies and solutions covering global, regional and domestic markets and asset classes.