As global demand for minerals and metals rises, a new UNEP–IGF report maps more than 100 sustainability standards and initiatives across mining value chains, examining how they interact with laws and policies and their role in strengthening environmental governance.
The study finds that while these standards aim to improve environmental and social performance, their rapid proliferation has created a fragmented and often confusing landscape for governments, companies and communities.
To address this, the report identifies 15 hallmarks of effective sustainability standards and recommends using them as a practical policy reference, prioritizing independent impact assessments, and advancing greater cooperation and interoperability.