The global transition to green energy has accelerated rapidly, increasing the demand for critical materials like rare earth elements (REEs), lithium, nickel, silicon, and cobalt. While these materials power wind turbines, solar panels, and electric vehicles (EVs), their mining and processing have significant social impacts. This study presents a quantitative assessment of these impacts, addressing employment rates, labor income share, gender equality, work safety, informal employment, and child labor—key indicators aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1, 5, and 8.
