Work

Sourcing Critical Metal from Critical Habitat: Is the Trade-Off Worth Making?

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study analyzes the environmental impact of nickel mining on biodiversity in Indonesia’s Wallacea region, using habitat quality as a proxy. It employs the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) Habitat Quality Model to project current and future habitat quality and degradation. Findings confirm that nickel mining significantly threatens habitat quality. Under a future scenario, 10% (513 km2) of excellent-quality habitat is projected to be lost across the study area. Specifically, mining zones face severe degradation and a future absence of excellent habitat, though protected areas are expected to maintain excellent quality. The study highlights Indonesia’s core dilemma between economic nickel dominance and severe environmental destruction, stressing the need for equitable global risk-sharing. We recommend three strategies: (1) an Integrated Land-Sparing Strategy, (2) Responsible Mining Practices, and (3) Risk Mapping with Equitable Global Risk-Sharing Policies.

Source: Land

DOI: 10.3390/land15020273

Authors: Latifah Azizah, Minerva Singh

Institutions: CMCC Foundation - Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change, Imperial College London, University of Oxford

Language: English

Topic: Land Use and Ecosystem Services

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Life on land, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137