Lithium in International Law: Trade, Investment, and the Pursuit of Supply Chain Justice

ABSTRACT Projected demand for renewable energy storage has underlined the importance of lithium-ion batteries, reflected in concern over ‘supply chain security’ critical minerals. Yet, other voices have called justice’ among governments, firms, and communities affected by social environmental externalities lithium extraction. To anticipate disputes draw a baseline further research, this article surveys relevant rules international law that presently regulate major operations industry. First, material dimensions are transformed into workable object law, focusing on viable reserves (as opposed to all proven resources) analytical priority territorial jurisdiction. Second, regulatory regimes four States with reserves—Chile, Australia, Argentina, China—illustrate recurring challenges, such as incentivizing investment value-added production discontent Indigenous communities. Third, trade treaties these help us map an legal framework industry, World Trade Organization, Comprehensive Progressive Agreement Trans-Pacific Partnership, Regional Economic Partnership. But may be interpreted light State’s obligations concerning human rights, protection, peoples, giving form pursuit supply justice transition.