Kristina Ullrich, Senior Private Sector Engagement Officer at Terre des Hommes Netherlands: ‘We want to prevent the energy transition from unintentionally increasing child labour.’

This also applies to minerals used in renewable energy, such as mica, copper, aluminium, and nickel. ‘The demand for these minerals is growing rapidly due to the energy transition,’ according to Ullrich. ‘Without attention to the risks, that demand can actually lead to an increase in child labour rather than a decrease.’

Learning from ten years of experience with mica

Mica is used in electronics, cosmetics and, according to TdH NL’s desk research, components of wind turbines and solar panels. TdH NL has worked for more than a decade to combat child labour in mica mining. ‘In India and Madagascar, many thousands of children work in mica mines,’ Ullrich explains. ‘These are often remote areas, so exact figures remain difficult to determine.’

TdH NL developed an approach that involves both companies and local communities: ‘We combine a supply chain approach with an area-based approach. So, we work with companies in the supply chain, but also with entire communities. The aim is not only for a product to become “clean” of child labour, but that children go to school instead of working,’ Ullrich says. ‘Poverty is a major driver,’ she continues, ‘If children stop working, families need alternative income. That is why we support small loans for agricultural activities and ensure access to quality education.’

Research into risks in new minerals

The mica programme formed the basis for new research within the Agreement. In 2024, TdH NL presented desk research on child labour in critical and strategic minerals. In that research,’ Ullrich adds, ‘we looked at minerals and countries with a higher likelihood of child labour.’ Funding in 2025 enabled follow-up research on nickel mining in the Philippines and bauxite mining in India: ‘It confirmed our earlier analysis: child labour is present in the supply chain. However, in large-scale mining, children are usually not working in the mines,’ she explains, ‘but they are involved around them. For example, in transport, in canteens, or in adjacent informal mining. Also, minors are at risk of sexual exploitation around export ports. That shows how complex these supply chains are.’

Knowledge fuels action

By organising knowledge sessions for Agreement participants, TdH NL aimed to raise awareness of risks in their supply chains: ‘During our presentation, we noticed that some companies were genuinely surprised - even shocked,’ Ullrich elaborates. This knowledge led to more action: ‘It is great when companies say: “let’s look together at what we can do.”’

Opportunities to develop and address

The opportunities within the Agreement arise from close collaboration with companies and sector organisations. As Ullrich puts it: ‘The Agreement provides a safe environment. Companies can explore together where risks lie and how to address them.’ This also supports the development of new and practical due diligence tools: ‘One of the questions companies struggle with is how to include the voices of the rights holders. How do you ensure that children and communities themselves are heard in that process?’ According to Ullrich, TdH NL can play an important role here.

Taking responsibility together

For the remaining duration of the Agreement, Ullrich’s ambition is quite clear: translate found knowledge into concrete action. ‘With renewable energy, we are trying to tackle climate change to give our children a future,’ Ullrich explains, ‘but at the same time we must not forget that other children elsewhere in the world are working for that energy. We want to prevent the energy transition from unintentionally increasing child labour.’ Terre des Hommes Netherlands prioritises collaboration and actions that create a positive impact for these children. ‘No single organisation can solve this problem alone,’ Ullrich concludes, ‘We need companies, governments, and NGOs to realise real change together.’