Mining for coal is far more resource-intensive than generating energy from renewables

Mining for coal is far more resource-intensive than generating energy from renewables or nuclear power, Our World in Data reports.

To establish a low-carbon economy, humanity still will need to extract a variety of minerals. Silicon, nickel, silver and manganese will be required for solar panels; iron and steel for wind turbines; uranium for nuclear energy, and lithium and graphite for batteries.

Yet mining is a carbon producing activity. This raises concerns that transitioning to clean energy might lead to a significant rise in global mining activity. It certainly appears that way if you consider the mining demands of a low-carbon energy system in isolation.

However, as Hannah Ritchie argues in a recent article, comparing clean energy systems to "zero mining" is not the right benchmark. The appropriate comparison is the current level of mining needed to support the fossil fuel-based energy system.

When we examine the data, transitioning to renewable or nuclear energy actually reduces the overall material requirements for electricity production.

In a related analysis, Hannah and Pablo Rosado explore which nations possess the critical minerals necessary for the energy transition.