A study on the application of the Voluntary Principles on security and human rights 

The energy transition is reshaping the economic, social, political and governance dynamics surrounding CRM mining and renewable energy development [...] including regions characterised by fragile governance, contested land tenure systems and complex security environment.

The global transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is rapidly increasing demand for critical raw materials (CRMs) and accelerating the deployment of renewable energy infrastructure such as wind, solar and hydropower.

While essential for climate goals and technological development, the expansion of CRM mining and renewable energy projects is intensifying competition over land and natural resources and reshaping relationships between companies, governments and host communities. These dynamics can heighten tensions around land access, benefit-sharing, environmental impacts, and livelihoods. Where disputes escalate, companies and governments may rely more heavily on public or private security to protect project sites, increasing the risk of security-related human rights incidents, particularly in contexts with fragile governance or limited oversight.

The Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPs) provide an established framework and practical implementation tools to guide responsible security practices in such environments. However, the scale, speed and geography of the energy transition are reshaping the context in which security risks emerge, raising questions about how the framework and tools should be applied, reinforced and expand in reach in this evolving landscape. 

This study, commissioned by DCAF with UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funding, examines the continued applicability of the VPs and the Voluntary Principles Initiative (VPI) to CRM mining and renewable energy projects.

Conducted by Levin Sources through a combination of literature review and key stakeholder interviews, the research assesses how energy transition dynamics are reshaping security-related human rights risks, evaluates whether the VPs remain suitable for addressing these risks, and identifies practical adjustments that could strengthen implementation under these changing conditions.

While the VPs and the broader VPI toolset provide a strong and flexible foundation, the changing conditions of the energy transition may require greater prioritisation, adaptation and more consistent application of existing guidance.