The rapid expansion of electric vehicles is presenting the United Nations Environment Programme with key hurdles, particularly for developing nations. The shift to electric mobility raises concerns over the environmental and social impacts of sourcing critical minerals like cobalt and lithium, which are often extracted under questionable conditions. Additionally, the infrastructure needed to support widespread adoption—such as charging networks and battery recycling systems—remains underdeveloped in many regions. These challenges highlight the need for sustainable policies to balance growth in electric transport with ethical and ecological responsibility.
As electric mobility gathers speed, UNEP tackles two major challenges for the developing world UNEP - UN Environment Programme
