as the global energy transition accelerates, critical minerals such as lithium, nickel, rare earth elements, and cobalt are under intense scrutiny-not only for their strategic importance, but also for the environmental and social risks associated with their extraction. In this context, rigorous environmental, social and governance (ESG) due diligence has become essential for securing financing, de-risking projects, and maintaining stakeholder confidence. However, these minerals are subject to considerable market fluctuations, raising concerns regarding the cost of transparency measures. This presentation draws on experience from SLR Consulting's Global Mineral advisory team in conducting ESG due diligence across a portfolio of critical minerals projects. Using internationally recognised standards-including the Equator Principles, IFC Performance Standards, and the Initiative for Responsible Mining assurance (IRMa) we explore how ESG risk frameworks are applied to projects underpinning the energy transition. Importantly, these standards are not just about compliance-they provide a structure for communicating risk mitigation strategies to lenders and investors who are increasingly integrating ESG criteria into decision-making. While ESG expectations remain strong in Europe-driven by regulation and investor pressure-the United States has shown signs of retreat, creating a fragmented global environment. Despite this, project developers cannot afford to ignore ESG, as access to capital, offtake agreements, and social license increasingly depend on transparent, credible ESG performance. This presentation will provide practical insights on integrating ESG into critical minerals project evaluations in a way that does not compete with business objectives. Through real-world examples, we will demonstrate how aligning due diligence processes with financial and operational strategies can unlock value, enhance resilience, and meet the evolving expectations of both markets and stakeholders in a rapidly changing global landscape.