The GBA

The Global Battery Alliance (GBA) is a public-private collaboration platform founded in 2017 at the World Economic Forum to help establish a sustainable battery value chain by 2030. 

 

The GBA brings together leading international organizations, NGOs, industry actors, academics and multiple governments to align collectively in a pre-competitive approach, to drive systemic change along the entire value chain. Incubated by the World Economic Forum in 2017 until its independence in 2021, members of the Alliance collaborate to achieve the goals set out in the GBA 2030 Vision and agree to the Ten GBA Guiding Principles. The GBA’s multi-stakeholder governance structure aims to ensure inclusivity in decision-making and strategic focus. Action Partnerships provide a collaborative platform for members to pool their expertise to achieve the shared goals of circularity, environmental protection and sustainable development.

 

The GBA Vision

The GBA 2030 Vision is to foster a circular, responsible and just battery value chain, and is detailed in a foundational analytical report conducted by the Global Battery Alliance, the World Economic Forum, McKinsey & Co. and SYSTEMIQ. The report highlighted that the rapid scale-up of battery production – critical for tackling climate change – also presents challenges related to battery raw material extraction, production and lifecycle management. It also outlined a vision for how multi-stakeholder collaboration across the battery value chain could address and mitigate each of the ESG risks and establish a pathway for the achievement of a sustainable and responsible battery value chain by 2030.

Learn more here: A Vision for a Sustainable Battery Value Chain in 2030.

 

The GBA Guiding Principles

All members commit to a set of Guiding Principles established as the necessary conditions for a sustainable and responsible battery value chain:

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Establish a circular battery value chain as a major driver to achieve the Paris Agreement Maximizing the productivity of batteries in their first life Enabling a productive and safe second life use Ensuring the circular recovery of battery materials

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Establish a low carbon economy in the value chain, create new jobs and additional economic value Disclosing and progressively decreasing greenhouse gas emissions Prioritizing energy efficiency measures and substantially increase the use of renewable energy as a source of power and heat when available Fostering battery-enabled renewable energy integration and access with a focus on developing countries Supporting high quality job creation and skills development

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Safeguard human rights and economic development consistent with the UN Sustainable Development Goals Immediately and urgently eliminating child and forced labour, strengthening communities and respecting the human rights of those employed by the value chain Fostering protection of public health and the environment, minimizing and remediating the impact from pollution in the value chain Supporting responsible trade and anti corruption practices, local value creation and economic diversification

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Action Partnerships

The GBA hosts Action Partnerships to achieve its vision of a sustainable battery value chain by 2030, including:

1. The Battery Passport Action Partnership: to establish global criteria, data and benchmarks for a sustainable and transparent battery market;
2. Critical Materials: to ensure critical materials are sourced, processed, manufactured and recycled in a manner that minimizes environmental impacts, protects human rights and creates benefits for stakeholders along the value chain.  
3. Energy Access & Circularity: to ensure energy access in emerging economies; reduce lead poisoning and promote circularity.