Professor gives keynote on ‘critical minerals’ at World Climate Summit
Professors from University of Staffordshire have taken to the global stage to champion to low-carbon and renewable energy
Professor Hamidreza Gohari Darabkhani (pictured) and Professor Torfeh Sadat-Shafai, who lead the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Engineering, participated in the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku last month.
“It was an incredible opportunity to engage with a diverse range of thought leaders, innovators, and activists all united in the shared mission of advancing climate action and sustainability,” said Professor Sadat-Shafai.
“From cutting-edge technologies to impactful grassroots initiatives, the event showcased the creativity and determination required to tackle the climate crisis.”
COP29 focussed on the future of low carbon fuels and their critical role in driving decarbonisation.
It brought together experts, innovators, and thought leaders to explore solutions for reducing emissions in sectors like heavy transport, aviation, maritime and manufacturing.
Alongside COP29, Professor Gohari Darabkhani was invited by the World Climate Foundation to deliver a prestigious keynote during the World Climate Summit 2024 fireside session ‘Unlocking Green Potential: Critical Minerals in the Clean Energy Transition’.
According to the IEA, the transition towards a clean energy system is expected to significantly boost the demand for critical minerals, such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements, positioning the energy sector as a major player in the mineral markets.
Professor Gohari Darabkhani’s talk addressed how critical minerals can be harnessed effectively to fuel the clean energy transition, while also safeguarding environmental integrity and promoting social equity.
He explained: “Critical minerals are the backbone of the clean energy transition, enabling technologies like renewable energy systems, energy storage, and electric vehicles. These minerals are deemed "critical" due to their limited substitutability, constrained supply chains, and essential role in clean energy performance.
“Yet, these minerals’ extraction and processing are resource-intensive, requiring water, energy, and finite land reserves. It’s crucial to optimise their use by replacing alternative materials where possible, improving recycling technologies, and increasing the rate of energy efficiency improvements.”
The COP29 UN Climate Conference resulted in a historic agreement to triple climate finance for developing nations, scale up global renewable energy capacity and saw the finalisation of robust international carbon trading rules under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
Professor Gohari Darabkhani added: “As we move forward, it's clear that collaboration, innovation, and bold action are key to building a sustainable future.
“The University of Staffordshire’s Centre for Renewable & Sustainable Engineering (CRSE) is ready to collaborate nationally and internationally in the development and deployment of the next generation of low-carbon and renewable energy technologies.”
