Bolivia may have enormous lithium reserves, but it is reliant on international alliances to extract them. The government is quite clear on one thing: the country itself, not just foreign investors, should reap the lion’s share of the profits.

The Global Battery Alliance aims to ensure that the rapid growth of the battery industry happens responsibly. The potential is huge: the critical minerals in batteries can be recycled to a high degree, making them a cornerstone of a circular economy.

Who profits from the natural resources of the Global South? In many places, colonial patterns of exploitation are repeated. However, some developments offer hope for greater distributive justice.