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.
Our latest ‘Critical Conversation’ podcast features Helen Thompson, Professor of Political Economy at the University of Cambridge, on divisions between the West and China and what the energy transition means for geopolitical risk.
As companies advance their approaches to nature-related issues, including through implementation of TNFDs, it will open up opportunities to rethink their approaches to impact management, benefits sharing and facilitating equitable access to natural capital, argues Caitlin Purdy.
Our latest ‘Critical Conversation’ podcast features Richard Adkerson, Chairman and CEO of Freeport-McMoRan Inc., on the geopolitics of the looming copper supply crunch, the environmental record of the mining industry, and what it takes to build good relationships with stakeholders.
Critical Resource’s picks for the top ESG trends which are likely to continue evolving into 2023, posing both risks and opportunities to extractives and energy sector companies.
Our latest Critical Conversation podcast features Henry Sanderson, author of the widely-praised book ‘Volt Rush’, on the race for battery raw materials
Our latest Critical Conversation podcast features an exclusive discussion with Sir Lawrence Freedman on the war in Ukraine, potential conflict over Taiwan and and potential lessons in corporate leadership from military strategy.
The mining industry needs to invest more in government and community engagement in order to convince stakeholders that it’s not only safe but in their interest to develop new mines in their ‘backyards’, argues Henry Hall.
Our latest Critical Conversation podcast features an exclusive discussion with Sean Gilbertson, CEO of Gemfields, on the ethical sourcing and development of Africa’s natural resources.
Project Syndicate has recently asked Daniel Litvin, Yanis Varoufakis, John H. Cochrane and Isabella M. Weber whether the benefits of a one-off tax on the energy sector’s war-fueled windfall would outweigh the costs.
Our latest analysis explores the consequences of increased state intervention in the extractive industries in Mexico and how investors will need to adapt to evolving challenges and scrutiny.
Our latest Critical Conversation podcast features an exclusive discussion with Dr Comfort Ero, President & CEO of International Crisis Group, on conflicts around the globe and the role resource companies can play in fostering the advancement of peace.
While the sustainable investment movement continues to hold great promise, it urgently needs reform, argues Daniel Litvin.
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.’
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
