The SCP-HAT tool is introducing a new supply chain module which will notably support the UNEP’s work in the minerals and metals sector.

The SCP-HAT is an online tool relevant for stakeholders with different expertise which supports the design of science-based SCP policies around the world. It does so by providing an overview of a country’s performance with regard to SCP-related policy areas (see Module 1: Country Profile) and by identifying hotspots of (un)sustainable consumption and production activities (see Module 2: Hotspots Identification).

This September, the tool is launching a module examining impacts induced at the supply chain level. It will point policy makers to hotspots brought about by consumption and production activities of a specific supply chain.

In practice, it would enable answering questions such as:

• When looking at national exports, where does the largest share of environmental pressure end up? Which supply chains does it involve?
• From the consumption perspective, which supply chains contribute the most to a country’s environmental footprint?

In March 2022, the fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly adopted a resolution on environmental aspects of minerals and metals management calling for the development of non-prescriptive proposals to enhance their environmental sustainability along their full life cycle. The first step is the organization of intergovernmental meetings, and the new supply chain module of the SCP-HAT will support and inform Member States in their discussions. It will do so by providing data on the footprints of specific minerals and metals along the supply chain from the production and consumption side, and inform which countries are involved at which stages. Plus, the module includes a number of critical raw materials which are relevant to the green energy transition and of particular interest to policy makers.

The data provided by the supply chain module will also feed into the development of the UNEP spotlight publication on mining which will provide concrete recommendations to all stakeholders, including governments, private sector and civil society on which actions to take to achieve a responsible and sustainable mining sector, across the entire value chain.

Please visit these  two links for more information on UNEP’s work on extractives and on the Secretary General’s Working Group on Transforming Extractives Industries for Sustainable Development which is co-led by UNDP, UNEP and the UN regional economic commissions.