The concept of a fair shift to low-carbon, sustainable economies and societies, known as “Just Transition”, is well established in the energy sector. However, it remains largely unexplored in regard to small-scale mining, despite clear interconnections. The sector programme “Extractives and Development” brought together international experts in a digital roundtable to delve into this nexus.

On 9 July 2025, the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals & Chemicals Importers & Exporters (CCCMC) and GIZ (Sector Programme Extractives and Development, Sino-German Center for Sustainable Development) jointly hosted a well-attended webinar on the evolving regulatory landscape in the battery sector and its global implications.

The extractive sector offers opportunities for economic development but is often characterized by inequalities. A new study by the GIZ Sector Programme Extractives and Development shows how a feminist development policy can be implemented in the sector.

In collaboration with the “Partnerships 2030” platform, the GIZ Sector Programme Extractives and Development has published a guidance note on gender equality in multi-stakeholder partnerships. The publication contains practical examples from the raw materials sector.

Once again, the Forum for Responsible Gold was represented with a booth at this year’s Inhorgenta, Germany's largest jewellery fair.

Through its presence at the jewellery fair, the Forum was able to help raise awareness among gold traders and jewellers about risks in the gold supply chain and present solutions for responsible gold. The Forum is coordinated by the Sector Programme Extractives and Development at the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe, BGR) on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung, BMZ).

The Sector Programme “Extractives and Development” hosted a pivotal event at GIZ Bonn, exploring the role of electric vehicles (EVs) in climate change mitigation, while scrutinizing the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks related to mineral extraction for battery production.

Voluntary sustainability standards are playing an increasingly important role in the extractive sector. The exchange with our partner countries shows that co-operation between standards and local authorities can be beneficial for resource governance on the ground.