Critical Minerals Series: Sustainability Considerations for Investors in Copper Mining

‎‎Key Takeaways

• The transition to a more resilient energy sector largely relies on an increasing use of renewable energy sources and the adoption of new technologies. Both require extensive use of minerals, particularly critical minerals. Copper, being one of the most conductive non-precious metals, is vital for many industries necessary for the energy transition.
• Global copper demand is projected to surge by approximately 70% by 2050, with large-scale uses in power delivery and electrification, expansion of electric vehicles, and other renewable energy technologies.
• Our data shows that sustainability issues, such as access to water, pollution, and human rights, present potential risks to investors in the metals and mining industry, particularly copper mining.
• Institutional investors can benefit from having a better understanding of the sustainability profile of the copper-mining companies in their portfolio and help assess which companies are best positioned to manage sustainability risk and meet international global standards and regulations around responsible mining.

ISS STOXX’s Natural Capital Research Institute, in collaboration with colleagues across the ESG research and product teams, is launching a publication series that examines the sustainability profile of mining companies, leveraging data from various solutions, including the ESG Corporate RatingESG Corporate Rating, Biodiversity Impact Assessment ToolBiodiversity Impact Assessment Tool, Modern Slavery SolutionModern Slavery Solution, Norm-Based ResearchNorm-Based Research, and Economic Value AddedEconomic Value Added. This first publication focuses on copper mining.

Explore ISS STOXX solutions mentioned in this report

• Identify ESG risks and seize investment opportunities with the ISS ESG Corporate RatingISS ESG Corporate Rating.
• Identify, evaluate and act on modern slavery risks and their impact on investments with the Modern Slavery ScorecardModern Slavery Scorecard.
• ISS ESG’s Biodiversity Impact Assessment ToolBiodiversity Impact Assessment Tool helps investors assess the impact of companies’ business and supply chain activities on biodiversity.
• Assess companies’ adherence to international norms on human rights, labor standards, environmental protection and anti-corruption using ISS ESG Norm-Based ResearchISS ESG Norm-Based Research.
• Understand the F in ESGF using the ISS EVAISS EVA solution.