Nature Positive Role of the Mining and Metals Sector

Images: Getty Images, PexelsDisclaimer This document is published by the World Economic Forum as a contribution to a project, insight area or interaction. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are a result of a collaborative process facilitated and endorsed by the World Economic Forum but whose results do not necessarily represent the views of the World Economic Forum, nor the entirety of its Members, Partners or other stakeholders. © 2025 World Economic Forum. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system.Contents Foreword 3 Foreword 4 About the Nature Positive Transitions report series 5 Executive summary 6 Introduction 7 1 Where the sector is today 13 1.1 Sector overview 14 1.2 Progress is promising but needs to accelerate 17 2 Nature-related impacts and dependencies 20 2.1 Double materiality 21 2.2 Land-use change and ecosystem disturbance 23 2.3 Pollution 24 2.4 Water abstraction 25 2.5 Greenhouse gas emissions 26 3 Five priority actions 27 3.1 Priority action 1: Transform operations across 32 the mine life cycle 3.2 Priority action 2: Improve water stewardship 39 3.3 Priority action 3: Expand circularity 40 and source responsibly 3.4 Priority action 4: Restore and regenerate landscapes 43 3.5 Priority action 5: Transform policy systems 44 and collaborate across sectors 4 Get started 46 4.1 Align strategy with organizational maturity 47 4.2 A deeper look at metrics to support 49 decision-making 4.3 Map the transition on to business functions 50 Conclusion 53 Appendix 54 Contributors 56 Endnotes 60 Nature Positive: Role of the Mining and Metals Sector 2