During the week of 22 September 2025, States once again met in Vienna under Working Group III (WGIII)...
The global transition to renewable energy systems will be mineral intensive and, under the current linear economy conditions,...
Reliable sector information, land assessments, and technical expertise help governments negotiate, monitor, and implement investments effectively.
A host government also needs to ensure that it has sufficient information on the sector and resources in respect of which it is seeking to attract investment. The availability of reliable and up-to-date information will improve the prospects of a successful and equitable outcome of a tender process or a contract negotiation.
Depending on the type of the investment, such information could include:
In relation to extractive industry investments, for example, governments require geological information about the location and estimated quality and quantity of reserves as well as the technical expertise to understand and interpret such information.
An understanding of the infrastructure needs of the investor is also important so that the scope for shared use or third party access to such infrastructure can be assessed. Importantly, the status of land that will be made available for the investment project needs to be ascertained.
Where land rights have not been formalized, informal land uses need to be assessed and taken into account so that adequate in-kind and financial compensation can be made available to land users so as to minimize the prospects of social and community conflict. See the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security for guidance on how to improve the governance of tenure.
At this time, the government should also assess whether it has the requisite skills and in-house expertise and experience in relation to the type of sector investment. If not, it should seek to acquire such expertise in-house or request assistance from support providers or donors to ensure it has access to the requisite skills or expertise in such areas. This will ensure that, when investment opportunities arise, the government is well placed to negotiate, monitor and implement the investment.
The Legal Framework Assessment provides a summary of key areas of a host country’s existing laws that will need to be reviewed when a government embarks on an infrastructure project, particularly one involving the private sector.
In addition, checklists, model bid documents, examples of legislative provisions relevant to infrastructure PPP projects, and financing mechanisms for PPP projects are provided.
Available in English, French, and Spanish.
This collaboration between the UN Economic Commission for Africa and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution Analyzes Africa’s overreliance on extractive industries and outdated “comparative advantage” models. The paper recommends energy transitions as a foundation for industrialization, economic diversification, and regional integration.
This report provides a comprehensive outlook on how Africa can leverage natural resource endowments during global decarbonization. The French Development Agency and World Bank offer strategies for governance, industrial policy, and technological adoption to avoid renewed resource dependency.
CCSI outlines pathways to achieve universal electricity access in Africa while still meeting climate objectives. The roadmap assesses investment needs and policy frameworks for distributed solar, regional power pools, and large-scale renewables.
A key text for understanding the relationship between the circular economy and extractive industries, this paper provides utility for government officials by highlighting relevant opportunities for local value retention, reduced environmental risks, and improved resource efficiency.
In an illustrative case study, CCSI and energy tech company Capterio assess how capturing flared or wasted associated gas in North Africa can support climate goals and reduce Europe’s reliance on Russian gas. The paper recommends repurposing existing gas infrastructure for short-term gains.
This roadmap from the IFC identifies emissions hotspots in mining, refining, and transport operations, as well as technology options and financing strategies, on the road towards decarbonizing copper and nickel value chains. For negotiators, it can serve as a resource to implement contractual commitments from mining firms to adopt low-carbon practices.
This analysis addresses the escalating challenge of decommissioning offshore oil and gas projects as energy systems decarbonize. It examines financial, regulatory, and environmental dimensions of safely retiring infrastructure, with particular focus on liability risks for host states. The study calls for proactive governance to avoid stranded public liabilities.
This in-depth study compares offshore oil and gas decommissioning obligations across ten jurisdictions. It identifies common gaps in managing liabilities, financing cleanup costs, and clarifying operator responsibilities. The analysis reveals frequent risks of costs shifting from companies to the public sector. For negotiators, it serves as a comparative resource to design contracts that ensure private operators bear full decommissioning responsibilities.
This report assesses how artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) contributes to or undermines various Sustainable Development Goals. It outlines both the developmental benefits and the social and environmental risks of ASM. Recommendations include pathways to formalization and support for ASM communities. For negotiators, it highlights entry points for including ASM integration or regulation measures in regional resource agreements.
This CCSI blog reviews the 2024 draft UN principles on critical minerals and finds that they fall short of addressing equity, environmental, and human rights concerns. The authors propose stronger normative frameworks tailored to the transition economy. They emphasize the importance of justice and fairness within global supply chains.
The report presents ten innovative policy ideas to modernize mining taxation systems. It emphasizes approaches that improve fairness, capture windfalls, and better align with sustainable development. The ideas are informed by emerging global norms and transition needs. For negotiators, it supplies a toolkit of fiscal design options to insist on fairer revenue-sharing arrangements.
This in-depth assessment highlights opportunities for developing countries to move beyond resource extraction by engaging in innovation across mid- and downstream critical mineral supply chains. It addresses barriers such as financing and technology access, while proposing strategies to capture higher value. The report links mineral governance to economic diversification and developmental gains. In a negotiation context, it strengthens the case for securing commitments on technology transfer, local innovation, and R&D in mineral investment contracts.
