Is Sustainable Investing Sustainable?
While the sustainable investment movement continues to hold great promise, it urgently needs reform, argues Daniel Litvin.
Critical Resource specialises in political, stakeholder and sustainability challenges in energy and mining. We have a reputation for bespoke, high-quality, high-impact work.
We believe that companies can unlock major commercial value by managing these challenges in a strategic and responsible way.
About us
Our belief is that a deep understanding and responsible, strategic management of these issues will be a key source of competitive advantage for companies in the years ahead.
We provide three types of services: due diligence and assurance that stakeholder, political and reputational risks are well understood and managed, prior to our clients making key investments or strategic decisions; practical support at the project level to help in-country teams achieve project outcomes; and finally, group-level strategies to align and position organisations as a whole to mitigate risks and realise opportunities.
Our network of advisors combines strong industry expertise with on-the-ground intelligence in over 80 countries. The senior advisory panel for the company includes eminent figures from industry, finance and global development. Our core team brings together experience working for major resource firms, The Economist, McKinsey, OECD, UN, and Chatham House, among other organisations.
Recent news and articles
Renewable energy is not immune to ‘social license to operate’ challenges
Our latest analysis explores some of the key stakeholder, environmental and socio-political challenges associated with developing renewable energy projects and the importance of establishing a strong ‘social license to operate.’
‘It is going to be far more difficult for Europe to wean itself off Russian oil and gas than expected’
Our latest Critical Conversation podcast features an exclusive discussion with Sir Tony Brenton (former British Ambassador to Russia), on the potential trajectory of the war in Ukraine, the role of oil and gas in Russia’s political system and the fast-moving global geopolitics of oil and gas in light of the conflict.
View from the top: selected insights on major risks and trends in 2022-23
Critical Resource's Senior Advisory Panel discusses the global consequences of the war in Ukraine, the current energy crisis, and shifting human rights expectations on companies.
Good as gold? How can miners avoid ESG pressures tainting the precious metal?
As ESG scrutiny of mining firms mounts, can the gold sector – a bit-player in the energy transition – justify its carbon footprint and other impacts?
Putin's tragic war may galvanize global climate action
The war in Ukraine may have a powerful effect in accelerating global responses to climate change, argues Daniel Litvin, Founder and Senior Partner of Critical Resource.
‘There is not enough copper supply out there to get us beyond the next five years’
Our latest ‘Critical Conversation’ podcast features an exclusive discussion with Don Lindsay (President and CEO, Teck) on the mining sector’s role in the energy transition, highlighting that an undersupply of copper threatens the pace of the transition.
Ukraine and the dangerous twilight years of fossil-fuel geopolitics
The Ukraine crisis highlights how half-formed climate policies can reinforce the geopolitical power of fossil fuel-exporters such as Russia in the short term. Western economies now need to force these policies to their conclusion, argues Critical Resource Founder Daniel Litvin.
‘Ignoring climate change could put board directors in the firing line’
Our latest ‘Critical Conversation’ podcast features an exclusive discussion with Karina Litvack (Chair, Climate Governance Initiative; NED, Eni) on the role of boards in managing ESG and climate change, arguing there is no longer an excuse not to act: these issues fall firmly within the fiduciary obligations of boards.
Why improving the integrity of voluntary carbon markets matters for companies and net zero
Voluntary carbon markets are expanding rapidly, yet the credibility of their climate impact is repeatedly questioned. Our latest analysis explores the importance of improving the integrity of these markets if they are to play a credible role in meeting net zero and the implications for companies seeking to use them.
Five tips for tackling resource nationalism
With resource nationalism on the rise around the world, Critical Resource Founder and Senior Partner Daniel Litvin discusses five lessons resource companies can take from previous episodes of resource nationalism in an extended version of an article published in the Financial Times.
‘Global systems of governance have begun to whither on the vine’
Our latest ‘Critical Conversation’ podcast features an exclusive discussion with Bill Emmott (former editor-in-chief of The Economist) on geopolitics and the continued fallout from the pandemic, arguing that companies need to develop their own ‘foreign policies’ in order to navigate the increasingly fractious and hostile geopolitical context.
No turning back: COP26 outcomes and implications for companies
With the outcomes of COP26 bringing a mixed bag of successes and disappointments, our latest analysis explores some of the implications of COP26 for companies, and how they might adapt and build resilience.
‘We need to ensure that the energy transition doesn’t exacerbate inequities’
Our latest ‘Critical Conversation’ podcast features an exclusive discussion with NRGI President and CEO, Suneeta Kaimal, on the opportunity and need for improved governance to manage a just and equitable transition to a decarbonised world.
Inequality and environmental activism drive the rise of a new left in Latin America
With economic hardships, unmet social demands and election uncertainty exacerbating Latin America's already volatile political landscape, our latest analysis explores three trends shaping risks and opportunities for the region's natural resource sector.
Stranded assets: many mining assets, not just oil and gas, could be stranded by intensifying ESG pressures
As scrutiny of ESG performance intensifies, even miners producing materials critical for the energy transition will not be immune to stakeholder pressures. Our latest research explores whether existing and new mines are at risk of becoming 'stranded' amid an increasingly complex ESG landscape.
‘The stakes are high - we need to front-load the race to net zero to avoid irreversible climate change’
Our latest ‘Critical Conversation’ podcast features an exclusive discussion with Rachel Kyte (former CEO, UN SEforALL; Dean, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University) on the high stakes at COP26, the urgent need for climate finance, and implications for companies.
Guinea: local events, global impacts
The recent military putsch in Guinea has added to political uncertainty, raising questions for the future of the country's mining sector. Our latest analysis explores the possible short- and long-term implications of the coup for companies.
‘Mining is a long-term business; politics is a short-term one’
Our latest ‘Critical Conversation’ podcast features an exclusive discussion with Ross Beaty, the legendary mining entrepreneur, on the supercycle for commodities, the evolving politics of resource development and the ESG megatrend.
Energy companies will have to tread fine lines in African engagement
The energy transition is narrowing the options available to African governments looking to recover from the fallout of the Covid-19 crisis. Our latest analysis examines how companies need to balance short-term delivery with support for countries on a longer-term transition pathway.
‘The industry can’t solve sustainable development challenges alone’
Our latest ‘Critical Conversation’ podcast features an exclusive discussion with new ICMM CEO Rohitesh Dhawan on the importance of collaboration, the limitations of ‘ESG’ frameworks, and mining’s sometimes-unrealised transformative potential.
How the oil and gas industry can grow old gracefully
In an extended version of an article published in the Financial Times, Critical Resource Founder and Managing Partner Daniel Litvin argues that the oil and gas sector should seize the initiative from its critics by planning more proactively for its twilight years.
'Corporate power is the neglected underbelly of the climate debate'
In an exclusive interview, Global Witness CEO Mike Davis discusses what he sees as the role of corporate power in driving the climate crisis, and argues that the energy transition cannot become an excuse for repeating past mistakes.
Prepare for a 'supercycle' in anti-mining activism
In an extended version of an article published in the Financial Times, Critical Resource Founder & Managing Partner Daniel Litvin argues that the new waves of social opposition set to hit the mining industry may change it for the better.
View from the top: Critical Resource's Senior Advisory Panel on major risks and trends in 2021-22
Critical Resource’s Senior Advisory Panel discusses the continuing global uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the ability of the international system to step up to the challenge of climate change, and geopolitical tensions.
The energy transition and ‘stranded countries’: implications for companies
As the energy transition accelerates and hydrocarbon revenues dwindle, oil and gas producing countries in the developing world will face significant challenges. Our latest analysis examines some of the associated socio-political implications and how international investors can demonstrate strategic partnership.
The world’s commodity traders: their social impact and political influence amidst growing scrutiny
Our latest ‘Critical Conversation’ podcast features an exclusive discussion with Javier Blas and Jack Farchy, authors of the critically acclaimed “The World for Sale”, on the influence, impact and growing scrutiny of an industry that, until recently, has largely flown under the radar - global commodity trading.
Staying ahead of the curve: Managing intensifying climate pressures on the oil and gas industry in 2021
Accelerating global climate action in 2021 will further increase expectations on oil and gas companies to strategically prepare for the energy transition. Our latest research explores anticipated pressure points and how companies might consider responding in order to stay ahead of the curve.
‘Another commodity supercycle is looming’
In an exclusive interview, Lukas Lundin (Lundin Group Chairman) argues that we are on the brink of another commodity supercycle, and emphasises the need for companies to do more to protect their social license to operate.
Who's afraid of the TCFD?
Many mining executives are concerned about what growing investor pressure to implement the TCFD recommendations might mean for their businesses. However, as we argue in our latest analysis, a rapid – but phased – approach toward TCFD-alignment can present significant opportunities.
Three megatrends impacting the natural resource sector in 2021
The world faces considerable social and economic fallout from Covid-19, a vaccine rush, rising global inequality and shifting geopolitical dynamics. In a volatile and fast-evolving context, our latest analysis looks at three megatrends that could shape the operating context for the natural resource sector in 2021.
‘Inequality will become the major issue of our time, alongside climate change’
Our latest 'Critical Conversation' features an exclusive interview with Chad Holliday (Chair of Shell), discussing the lessons senior executives can draw from a turbulent 2020 - and the need for forceful action to address climate change and global inequality going forward.
The social license to operate in a new era of inequality: three levers extractives companies can use
Rising global inequality and the transition towards automation will require companies to reconsider how socio-economic benefits are created for local stakeholders. Our latest article sets out three ways that companies can safeguard stakeholder support.