Lecture Series Winter 25/26
The HWR Research Competence Centre kindly invites you to its Lecture Series in the winter semester 25/26 at Campus Lichtenberg.
The Victim Territories of CO2 Neutrality for Electric Cars in Brazil
Professor Klemens Laschefski, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil
8 October 2025, 16:00-18:00. House 1, Room 1.4098.
Brazil, which is hosting this year’s World Climate Conference (COP30), presents itself as an innovative supplier of the raw materials needed for ‘CO₂ neutrality’ and ‘energy transition’ strategies. One of the most ambitious, but also most controversial, projects in this context is certainly the exploitation of lithium deposits in the Jequitinhonha Valley, which are needed for the production of batteries for electric mobility. Less attention is paid to rare earths and very common metals such as niobium, copper, aluminum, and iron ore, which are necessary for the production of new cars, regardless of their drive type, and which are all abundant in Minas Gerais and regions such as Grande Carajas. Added to this are the strategies for CO₂ neutrality in mining and metal processing companies, which are intended to achieve the use of supposedly renewable fuels such as ethanol from sugar cane, biodiesel from oilseeds, and hydrogen in their machine and vehicle fleets. The production of hydrogen relies on the consumption of large amounts of electrical energy, which is to be generated by gigantic photovoltaic farms, hydroelectric power plants, and wind farms. Finally, the production of ‘green steel’ in Brazil traditionally relies on charcoal obtained from eucalyptus monocultures.
The presentation will address the consequences of land grabbing at the starting point of the supply chains for electric and other vehicles. The focus will be on an immense colonization drive in previously unexploited territories belonging to indigenous and traditional communities, particularly in the Cerrado (Brazilian savannah), which has been largely ignored in the international climate debate.
Klemens Laschefski is a Professor for Political Ecology and a member of the Study Group on Environmental Issues (Grupo de Estudos em Temáticas Ambientais – GESTA) at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais – UFMG). He is a fellow of the Research Productivity Programme (PQ) of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq).
He is currently working on the topics addressed in the lecture as part of the project “Local, Indigenous, Quilombola and Traditional Communities and the construction of the “Lithium Valley” in Minas Gerais, Brazil: Empowering silenced voices in the energy transition (LIQUIT)”, funded by The British Academy, CNPq – Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico and FAPEMIG – Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais.
Industry Dialogues as Strategy to implement Due Diligence Legislation
Maren Leifker, United Nations Global Compact
12 November 2025, 16:00-18:00. House 6B, Room 6B259.
In recent years, so-called Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives (MSIs) have proliferated. These instruments enable companies to exchange knowledge and experiences on sector-specific risks, involve stakeholders, and pool leverage in order to jointly address structural challenges in global supply chains. They are therefore often regarded as effective mechanisms for the implementation of due diligence standards.
At the same time, MSIs are subject to critical scrutiny. Many are considered insufficient in delivering measurable sustainability outcomes and, in particular, in improving the situation of rights-holders.
The lecture will explore these debates and provide a practice-oriented insight into the Automotive Sector Dialogue, a flagship initiative launched by the German government in 2020.
Maren Leifker is a lawyer with a PhD on corporate liability under the CSDDD. She has extensive experience in business and human rights, including her role as Senior Policy Advisor at the German NGO Brot für die Welt and as a civil society representative on the BAFA stakeholder advisory board. Since July 1, she has been with the UN Global Compact Network Germany, coordinating the Sector Dialogue with the automotive industry.
Responsible Contracting, LkSG & CSDDD – Lessons Learned from Practice
Daniel Schönfelder, Responsible Contracting Project
3 December 2025,16:00-18:00. House 6B, Room 6B259.
The LkSG & CSDDD oblige companies to implement HREDD procedures in their supply chains. Responsible Contracting describes an approach of doing this in a way that incentivizes collaboration and openness, as well as sharing of risks and responsibilities. It emphasizes not only supplier, but also buyer responsibilities, including on responsible purchasing practices. The lecturer will share his learnings from his practice of implementing LkSG, CSDDD & Responsible Contracting with companies and associations of different sizes and continents and bring some practical exercises to sparkle joint discussion and learning.
Daniel Schönfelder is a lawyer and lecturer in Business and Human Rights. He also works as the Lead European Legal Advisor for the Responsible Contracting Project and in-house on implementing the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act.
Social Product Declarations: Assessing the Social Sustainability Performance of Products throughout their Life Cycle
Professor Marzia Traverso, RWTH Aachen.
14 January 2026, 16:00-18:00. House 6B, Room 6B259.
Social Product Declarations (SPDs) represent a good way to assess, compare and communicate the social sustainability performance of products considering the entire life cycle. Based on Social Life Cycle Assessments (S-LCAs), they highlight impacts of a product lifecycle on different stakeholders such as: workers, local communities and users. In 2023, the world’s first Product Category Rules (PCR) for SPDs, and the first ever SPD, was published thanks to the support of Hitachi Rail and Circular Srl (GmbH in Italy). The project was led by Prof. Marzia Traverso, director of INaB RWTH Aachen University – the guest lecturer of this session. The lecture gives insights into the concept of SPDs, their development as well as benefits and challenges that arise during their formation and usage.
Marzia Traverso is a full Professor and head of Chair and Institute of Sustainability in Civil Engineering in RWTH Aachen since 2017. She holds a PhD in Environmental Technical Physics from the University of Palermo. Furthermore, Professor Traverso is an environmental engineer, working in the field of Life Cycle Assessment and sustainability performance of building and transport sector and strategic environmental assessment to the transportation urban systems.