PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
- Directly addressing the ecological risks posed by the growing battery industry
- Defining biodiversity risk assessment for global supply chains
- Designing a supply chain observatory, integrating advanced ecosystem health metrics
Overview
The global transition to electrified transport is driving unprecedented demand for battery minerals such as lithium and cobalt, frequently extracted in ecologically sensitive biodiversity hotspots -notably, nickel-cobalt production in Indonesia and the Philippines and copper/lithium production in the high-Andes. However, biodiversity risks remain poorly mapped and weakly integrated into risk assessment, with existing approaches operating at mismatched spatial scales, from localised environmental impact assessments (EIAs) to global sustainability reporting. This creates a disconnect between local ecological impacts and strategic supply chain decisions.
This PhD addresses this gap by combining spatial ecological analysis, comparative tool evaluation and case study evidence to develop a spatially explicit, evidence-based approach to identifying and evaluating biodiversity risk across lithium supply chains, using case studies from the UK and South America, structured around four research questions.
First, what are the strengths, limitations and data gaps of existing biodiversity assessment approaches for supply-chain decision-making? The project critically compares analytical tools (life cycle assessment, EIAs, spatial mapping, emerging risk modelling) and frameworks (the mitigation hierarchy, ICMM principles) for their ability to inform CSRD, TNFD and SBTN implementation.
Second, where are the highest biodiversity risks located across lithium supply chains, and how do these vary by region and production stage? Building on UoB/BGS spatial mapping methods, the project overlays biodiversity hotspot data (IBAT, IUCN Red List, Key Biodiversity Areas, protected areas, species-richness layers), strengthened by eDNA and bioacoustic monitoring, with georeferenced supply chain data (Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Earth Observation (EO) and hydrological modelling) to distinguish direct impacts (habitat loss, fragmentation) from indirect impacts (land-use change, water stress, pollution).
Third, what risks identified through spatial analysis are omitted or underrepresented in existing reporting frameworks? Findings are compared against submitted EIAs to identify reporting gaps and inform EIA methodology.
Fourth, what mitigation strategies exist, and how can they best be deployed? The project evaluates siting, technology choice and pollution control mechanisms for their effectiveness and practical constraints.
In collaboration with industry, NGOs, regulators and sustainability practitioners, the student will synthesise their findings into a practical, coherent and transferable framework for integrating biodiversity risk into mineral governance and responsible sourcing.
Case Projects
This project does not offer a CASE studentship
Host
University of Birmingham
Theme
Climate and Environmental Sustainability, Organisms and Ecosystems
Supervisors
Project investigator
Jacqueline S. Edge, j.s.edge@bham.ac.uk
Co-investigators
Evi Petavratzi, BGS, evpeta@bgs.ac.uk; Andrew Hughes, BGS, aghug@bgs.ac.uk
How to apply
Each host has a slightly different application process.
Find out how to apply for this studentship.
All applications must include the CENTA application form.
Choose your application route
Methodology
The conceptual biodiversity risk framework will be developed through three phases, using case studies.
Phase 1 – Tool evaluation: A comparison of established and emerging biodiversity assessment tools against defined criteria (spatial resolution, data availability, relevance to strategic decision-making) to determine which combinations are best suited to protecting ecosystems at supply chain resolution.
Phase 2 – Spatial risk mapping: Drawing on existing UoB/BGS methodological expertise and incorporating novel monitoring techniques where feasible, the student will construct a geodatabase linking supply chain infrastructure to ecological sensitivity indicators. Analytical outputs will be cross-checked against publicly available documentation to highlight where current practice may overlook risks.
Phase 3 – Mitigation analysis: Assessment of intervention strategies against real-world feasibility, cost and ecological effectiveness, drawing on precedent case studies and stakeholder input. This phase draws together the preceding evidence base into a single, coherent risk-monitoring and mitigation framework, tested for transferability beyond initial case studies.
Further details and How to Apply
For any enquiries related to this project please contact Jacqueline S. Edge, j.s.edge@bham.ac.uk.
To apply to this project:
- You must include a CENTA studentship application form, downloadable from: CENTA Studentship Application Form 2027
- You must include a CV with the names of at least two referees (preferably three) who can comment on your academic abilities.
- Please submit your application and complete the host institution application process via: https://admissions.bham.ac.uk/course-finder-landing-page/?code=LES068 Please select the PhD in Geography (CENTA) 2027 entry year Apply Now button. The CENTA Studentship Application Form 2027 and CV can both be uploaded to the Personal Statement section of the online form. In the funding section of the online form please select Research Council Funding and then choose Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Please quote CENTA 2027-B15 when completing the application form.
Applications must be submitted by 23:59 GMT on Wednesday 6th January 2027.
