While a rapid transition from fossil fuel-powered vehicles to electric vehicles is urgently needed to accelerate decarbonization and help reduce the rate of rising global temperatures, it also has a hidden cost.
“Mining of minerals used for electric vehicles can pose serious risks to people and the environment. Previous research by Amnesty International has shown that industrial cobalt mining has led to forced evictions in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Auto companies must use their extensive leverage as global buyers of minerals to influence upstream mining companies and smelters to mitigate these human rights risks,” said Agnès Callamard.
When it comes to supply chain mapping, companies such as BYD, Geely Auto, Hyundai, General Motors and Mitsubishi received the lowest scores, failing to provide detailed information about their supply chains. BYD also does not reveal the names of its smelters, refineries or mines. Geely Auto only provides general locations of its suppliers, without specifying mining sites.
Hyundai and Mitsubishi Motors showed a similar lack of transparency, failing to provide evidence of comprehensive supply chain mapping or identification of mining sites for cobalt, copper, lithium and nickel, which hampers the ability of interested parties to determine how these activities affect nearby populations.
And after?
All companies, including those in the electric vehicle battery supply chain, have an obligation to respect all human rights wherever they operate. To meet their human rights obligations, as set out in the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UN Guiding Principles), they must fulfill their due diligence to identify, prevent and mitigate adverse human rights impacts for which they are responsible, to which they contribute or which may arise directly from their activities, products or services, and to report on the measures they take to remedy to these impacts.
While some of the companies assessed have taken positive steps towards recognizing their human rights responsibilities and bringing their policies into line with international human rights standards, much remains to be done. For example, although BMW, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, Tesla and the VW Group are among the highest scoring companies, they could do more to demonstrate how they actually implement their policies, by responding to human rights risks and providing reparations to those affected.
It’s time to shift gears and ensure that electric vehicles do not leave a legacy of human rights abuses, and that the sector drives a just energy transition that leaves no one behind. side.
Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International
“As the transition to electric vehicles gains momentum, increases global competition and delivers huge profits, Amnesty International is calling on automakers to improve their human rights due diligence practices and bring them into compliance with international human rights standards,” said Agnès Callamard. “We also call on governments to strengthen their own human rights due diligence regulations regarding companies registered in their territory or their export or import licenses. »
“Laggard companies need to do more, faster, to show that human rights are not just a nice concept, but an issue they take seriously. It’s time to shift gears and ensure that electric vehicles do not leave a legacy of human rights abuses, and that the sector drives a just energy transition that leaves no one behind. side. »