New research indicates that the surge in nickel demand for batteries and stainless steel puts critical land and marine conservation areas at risk. A significant portion of projected nickel production between 2025 and 2050 overlaps with high priority biodiversity zones, particularly in tropical regions like Indonesia. The study highlights a difficult trade off between securing minerals for the energy transition and preserving essential carbon sinks. It suggests that diversifying supply sources, including the potential for deep sea mining, may be necessary to reduce the ecological pressure on tropical forests and coastal ecosystems.
