What if the clean energy transition becomes the next extractive frontier because we failed to build the proof, accountability, and stewardship systems around it?
A clean energy transition can still become extractive if it does not build the systems of proof, accountability, and stewardship around it. The transition requires minerals, land, infrastructure, batteries, grids, data centres, industrial processes, and global supply chains. Solar panels, batteries, wind turbines, transmission lines, EVs, and storage systems do not appear without material consequences. If poorly governed, the clean energy transition can reproduce the extractive patterns of the fossil era through critical minerals, land conflicts, labour risks, waste streams, biodiversity loss, and unequal supply chains. What if the clean energy transition becomes the next extractive frontier because we failed to build the proof, accountability, and stewardship systems around it?
This session invites participants to imagine ecologically safe, socially just energy systems of the future in Asia. Taking a futures-led approach, the panel will lead an inquiry on: What if we harnessed its potential to create renewable energy systems that enable a flourishing planet and thriving people?
