Indonesia’s Nickel Bounty Sows Discord, Enables Chinese Control

Indonesia’s Nickel Bounty Sows Discord, Enables Chinese Control

Thursday, March 21, 2024

By: Brian Harding;  Kayly Ober

As the world moves toward cleaner forms of energy, specific minerals and metals that support this transition have become “critical.” Nickel — a major component used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries — is one such critical mineral. Demand for battery metals is forecast to increase 60-70 percent in the next two decades. This may be a boon for some. But in Indonesia, which produces more than half of the world’s nickel supply, it has led to political, environmental and ethical complications.

Type: Analysis

EnvironmentGlobal Policy

Conservation and African Rangelands: From Conflict to Coexistence?

Conservation and African Rangelands: From Conflict to Coexistence?

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

By: Anna Haw;  Nora Moraga-Lewy

Sub-Saharan Africa’s population will nearly double to more than 2 billion by 2050, surpassing Asia by 2070. African policymakers recognize this trend and have focused efforts on increasing economic productivity. Native rangelands — the uncultivated grasslands, shrublands, woodlands, wetlands and savannas where wild and domestic animals graze — cover 43% of the continent’s land area. But rangelands have often been perceived as undeveloped areas and centers of degradation, erosion, desertification, droughts, famine and conflict. These vast areas, and the people they support, tend to be pushed to the periphery of political agendas, allowing root causes of degradation of land and livelihoods to fester and ultimately contributing to a vicious cycle of tension and conflict.

Type: Analysis

Environment

At COP28, Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, But No Deal on a Phase Out

At COP28, Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, But No Deal on a Phase Out

Thursday, December 14, 2023

By: Tegan Blaine, Ph.D.

Few people expected much progress at the 2023 U.N. Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP28) following contentious discussions around the development of a new Loss and Damage Fund, a grim Global Stocktake report detailing exactly how far away the goals laid out in the Paris Agreement still are and questions about the intentions of the conference chair who came from the oil and gas industry. However, the agreement signed on December 13 makes surprising progress in a few key areas, while still leaving much to be desired.

Type: Analysis

Environment

In the Global Rush for Lithium, Bolivia is at a Crossroads

In the Global Rush for Lithium, Bolivia is at a Crossroads

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

By: Luke Chan;  Nicolás Devia-Valbuena

Since 2010, the global demand for lithium has surged due to its unique properties ideal for battery production in electric vehicles and electronic devices. Bolivia, home to the world’s largest lithium deposits, views this resource as a transformative opportunity for industrialization and modernization, but if mismanaged, it could also be a source of internal conflict. The United States has an opportunity to use its hemispheric position and technical advantage to help Bolivia develop its lithium reserves in a productive and economically viable way, edging out other actors such as China whose transactional approach leaves much to be desired.

Type: Analysis

EnvironmentGlobal Policy

Gordon Peake on COP28 and Climate Financing

Gordon Peake on COP28 and Climate Financing

Monday, December 4, 2023

By: Gordon Peake, Ph.D.

As COP28 continues, it’s estimated that the world needs to invest $5.9 trillion to stave off climate change. “The big question now is … who’s going to pay for all this,” says USIP’s Gordon Peake, adding that “we also need to tamp down the use of fossil fuels” to prevent the bill for growing even more.

Type: Podcast

Environment

The Unsustainable Exploitation of Solomon Islands’ Natural Resources

The Unsustainable Exploitation of Solomon Islands’ Natural Resources

Thursday, November 30, 2023

By: Charley Piringi

The extractive industry in Solomon Islands serves as a crucial catalyst for economic growth and development, tapping into the nation's abundant natural resources like timber, minerals and fisheries for export — mainly to China. But despite its promise for economic prosperity, the extractive industry poses significant challenges, requiring careful management to ensure sustainability and minimize adverse effects on the environment and local communities.

Type: Analysis

Conflict Analysis & PreventionEnvironment

U.S. Approach to COP28 Will Shape How it is Perceived in the Pacific

U.S. Approach to COP28 Will Shape How it is Perceived in the Pacific

Thursday, November 30, 2023

By: Gordon Peake, Ph.D.

Pacific Island nations will be attending the 2023 U.N. Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai this week with their concerns well known. USIP’s Gordon Peake discussed what the island states will expect from the summit, how the U.S.-China strategic competition is playing out in the region and what more the United States can do to build support in the region.

Type: Analysis

EnvironmentGlobal Policy

The Outlook for COP28: Fighting, Fighting Everywhere, with Progress on the Line

The Outlook for COP28: Fighting, Fighting Everywhere, with Progress on the Line

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

By: Tegan Blaine, Ph.D.;  Katherine Waters

The 2023 U.N. Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP28) risks becoming two December weeks of negotiations in Dubai rife with visible conflicts: With the chair of COP28 perceived by many as having conflicts of interest with the oil and gas industry, a newly released Global Stocktake report highlights how far global action is from achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Type: Analysis

EnvironmentGlobal Policy

Climate Adaption Key to Iraq’s Stability and Economic Development

Climate Adaption Key to Iraq’s Stability and Economic Development

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

By: Sarhang Hamasaeed;  Mac Skelton;  Zmkan Ali Saleem

Iraq is projected to be among the five countries hardest hit by the impact of climate change. The country is already witnessing depreciating water supply and accelerating desertification, leading to the loss of as much as 60,000 acres of arable land each year, according to Iraqi government and United Nations sources. These climate phenomena threaten the livelihoods and food security of Iraq’s population of an estimated 43 million, creating conditions for displacement, instability and a deterioration of social cohesion. The water crisis has grown steadily amid severe drought, upstream damming practices in Turkey and Iran, and increased domestic consumption within Iraq’s borders.

Type: Analysis

EnvironmentGlobal Policy