Mining governance and green energy transitions: Developmental implications for the global south

The development of renewable energy technologies (RETs) is fundamental for the global transition to a low-carbon economy. However, at scale, the transformation is highly dependent on a significant increase in the extraction of critical minerals, creating both challenges and opportunities for resource-rich countries in the Global South. This editorial introduces the Special Issue, ‘Mining Governance and Green Energy Transitions: Developmental Implications for the Global South’, situating its 18 contributions within ongoing debates on green extractivism, resource governance, industrial policy and local development. As a body of work, the papers demonstrate that green energy transitions are politically and socially contested, highlighting how uneven developmental outcomes are shaped by interactions between state capacity, industrial strategy, institutional arrangements, and community agency. The collection of papers underscores the need for coordinated, context-specific approaches to mining governance, to ensure that the green energy transition supports inclusive and sustainable development at all points across energy transition mineral supply chains.