For the first 8,000 SHIFTphones 8, we purchased 296 grams of gold in the form of gold credits. In doing so, we are supporting the responsible mining of gold in small-scale mining in Geita in Tanzania. In this article, we show you what is behind the gold credits – and how we are using them to bring about change Gold is one of the many metals in our smartphones that most of us associate with, just like generations before us. While gold is present in the financial and jewelry industry because of its appearance and value, it is used in the electronics industry because of its physical properties, such as its good conductivity.
Gold in smartphones
Gold makes up only a very small proportion of the total weight of the device, but as we discovered in our analyses in the Loopphone research project, gold is one of the hotspots in terms of environmental impact. Gold is also an important raw material from a social point of view, despite its small share of the total device. Millions of people around the world earn their living by mining this rare metal. In 2017, Carsten Waldeck experienced first-hand in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that this mining brings with it not only ecological but also social challenges. There, he saw with his own eyes what it means for people to work in small-scale mining: hard physical labor in narrow tunnels dug with simple tools – accompanied by daily risks and enormous burdens to feed the family. There is always the risk of something happening, such as a heavy rain shower, which can suddenly worsen safety in the tunnels. At the time, it was clear that we wanted to play our part in bringing about positive change and improving working conditions.
Carsten in the DR Kongo 2017
These impressions were the impetus for further involvement. Since then, we have been involved in many projects. The aim is to support change for other raw materials such as cobalt. One example is our collaboration with Closing the Loop. They work in countries where there is no good recycling infrastructure. This is because e-waste containing gold is either dumped in landfills or recycled under hazardous conditions and in open fires. If gold is recycled properly, it can be reused together with copper, silver and other metals. You can find more information about the project here shift.eco/closing-the-loop-ctl/ In addition to Closing the Loop, we have also supported other projects that promote fair conditions and the responsible use of resources. These include, for example, the Earthbeat Foundation, which is committed to structural changes in gold mining and beyond, as well as the work of goldsmith Thomas Becker, who accompanied Carsten on his trip to the DR Congo.
Integrating Responsible Gold Credits in the Supply Chain
“Embracing the supply chain” – this is what we call our approach to actively shaping change along our supply chains.
On the one hand, we start with our direct suppliers and their suppliers. On the other hand, we get involved where the greatest damage to people and nature occurs: in the extraction of raw materials. Systems such as the Responsible Gold Credits make it possible to bring about improvements in working conditions in small-scale mining directly on site. One example of the practical implementation of this approach is our Responsible Gold Credit project in Tanzania.
Gold mining in Geita Tanzania
For the Responsible Gold Credit project, the first step was to find a mining community that met minimum sustainability criteria and had set out to implement improvements. The choice fell on the mining community in Geita, Tanzania. The Responsible Gold Credit project is intended to support the community in making investments that would only be possible to a limited extent from ongoing operations. Compared to Fairmined/Fairtrade-certified mines, our project enables the community to develop towards one of these standards. This is because mining communities often do not have the financial resources to take out loans and implement all measures directly. The approach of positively supporting this development has convinced us. The community receives a credit above the market price for every gram of gold mined. This enables the necessary investments to be made. As part of the working group that set up the „Responsible Gold Credit“-project, we were particularly impressed by how The Impact Facility as a central player in the working group, responded to the wishes of the community in order to prevent the project from being imposed from above. This is because the mining community themselves decide which measures they want to implement most urgently with the credits. In the picture you can see one of the first investments made possible thanks to the gold credits: new protective equipment for the mining community in Geita. In the coming months, we will take you with us and show you what else is happening.
“The first German smartphone” – that was the title of the Galileo report about us, which has reached millions of people since 2019. And although many years have passed since then, we are still regularly asked about it today. The report triggered something – a need that has recently become even greater: technology conceived and developed in Europe. As SHIFT, we want to help shape it – and not simply consume what is created in the USA or Asia. Products you can trust. And companies that think differently.
#BuyEurope – more than just a hashtag
In times of great unpredictability, in which national self-interest is once again being placed above common solutions, compromises have become rarer, and political actors – especially in the US – prefer to bang their fists on the table rather than engage in dialogue, the need for stability, reliability, and regional responsibility is growing. It is precisely in this context that #BuyEurope is gaining importance for many consumers. The question is not only: Where does my smartphone come from? But also: Who developed it? Who benefits from it? And how sustainable is the whole thing actually intended to be? SHIFT is a German company – founded in rural northern Hesse, with a clear focus on fairness, repairability, and sustainability. But: Our devices are manufactured in China. A contradiction?
Why we produce in China
SHIFT’s history has been closely linked to China from the very beginning. Carsten Waldeck, one of our founders, has been traveling there regularly for over 20 years. During this time, he has not only built valuable partnerships but also made friends. Without these relationships, the realization of our idea – a sustainable smartphone – would not have been possible. Almost all of the essential components of a smartphone today come from Asia. Instead of transporting these components halfway around the world, it quickly became clear to us: We want to go where the parts come from – and implement our vision of responsible manufacturing directly on site. Our first devices were initially manufactured in an external facility in Shenzhen. But we quickly realized that, as a small company, we had little influence on local conditions. So we went a step further. In 2018, we set up our own factory in Hangzhou together with the NGO TAOS. The SHIFT factory produces exclusively for us and enables us to directly implement our vision of fair, sustainable manufacturing. Many things are fundamentally different at the SHIFT factory: Instead of sterile halls and round-the-clock shift work, there is natural light, plants, and comfortable chairs. Thanks to the modular design of our equipment, there is no gluing – the modules are simply plugged and screwed together. This makes work more pleasant. No one has to wear protective clothing, there are no noisy extraction systems, just a calm, open atmosphere. The working conditions also differ significantly from the industry average: a flexible 40-hour workweek, fair pay (at least 2.5 times the local minimum wage), and no overtime. We demonstrate that fair production in China is possible – if you’re willing to take responsibility and explore new avenues.
Our entire product development takes place in Germany. Design, conception, software, support, and, last but not least, our unique modular design – all of this is created here in Falkenberg, northern Hesse. We create real added value there – and you can feel it: for every manufacturing job in China, around three to four times as many jobs are created in Germany. We consciously invest in a rural region – our headquarters in Falkenberg, northern Hesse, is not only our development site, but also a place where we create meaningful jobs in the long term. This is where the design, software, service concepts, and the idea behind every SHIFTphone are created. Our devices are not only modular and easy to repair – they also set standards in sustainability. And what’s special: Despite this modularity, our devices impress with a reduced, well-thought-out design that – contrary to some beliefs – is by no means clunky. And despite claims to the contrary, we’ve shown with the SHIFTphone 8: A modular device can also be waterproof.
Technology from Europe requires courage
SHIFT stands for change: Not just another device that ends up in the trash after a few years – or worse – is a total economic loss at the first sign of a defect, but a true statement. We want technology that makes sense – for people and for our planet. And we want to show that it’s possible to combine European values with global cooperation.
Did you know that we know more about the surface of the moon than about the deep sea? This shows how little we know about our planet’s largest habitat, the ocean, even though it plays a central role for life on Earth. It provides food, secures income, and regulates the climate. Yet this fragile yet vital ecosystem is increasingly under pressure: deep-sea mining is becoming more of a focus of global discussions. Since 2023, we have been a signatory of the moratorium on deep-sea mining and have reported on it. Much has happened since then – and yet the deep sea remains a place full of open questions and unresolved conflicts. In this update, we take a look at current political developments and shed light on why the debate about deep-sea mining no longer just concerns science and politics, but also all of us. For this, we asked Tim-Frederik Hahn to explain the latest developments and highlight what’s important now. Tim is conducting research and completing his doctorate at the University of Bremen on the European debate on deep-sea mining. Dear Tim, thank you very much for your willingness to give us a brief overview of the current debate!
How would you describe the current state of the political debate on deep-sea mining at the global and European level?
Fundamentally, a distinction must be made between national waters, which are the jurisdiction of individual countries, and international waters, for which the International Seabed Authority is responsible. At the global level, 32 states have spoken out against deep-sea mining. Of these 32 states, 14 are European states. Speaking out against deep-sea mining means that the states support either a moratorium, a “precautionary pause,” or, in the case of France, a ban on deep-sea mining. While mining companies are promoting mining and many non-governmental organizations are opposing it, the possibilities of deep-sea mining are being explored, but there is still no green light for commercial mining. The International Seabed Authority is in the process of developing a set of rules under which deep-sea mining might be possible, but has not yet completed this process. At the national level, only Norway has so far planned to permit deep-sea mining in its own waters in the near future. However, Norway also paused its plans last December. 2025 is an exciting year, as the International Seabed Authority (ISBA) aims to finalize its regulatory framework, and one of the leading deep-sea mining companies has announced that it intends to submit its first application for commercial deep-sea mining in 2025.
What specific role does Germany play in the European and international debate on deep-sea mining?
Germany is a leading player in deep-sea exploration and holds licenses from the International Seabed Authority for deep-sea exploration in international waters. However, in 2022, Germany called for a “precautionary pause” on deep-sea mining and will not support any applications for commercial extraction of raw materials in the deep sea until further notice. Germany is also committed to better protection of the deep sea and the precautionary principle at the international level. The precautionary principle means acting early and proactively to avoid environmental pollution.
ROV Team/GEOMAR (CC-BY 4.0) as well as the featured image
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Are there currently products or technologies that contain materials from deep-sea mining? If so, how frequently do we as consumers come into contact with them?
Commercial deep-sea mining is not yet permitted, and therefore there are no products that use raw materials from the seabed. However, consumers frequently come into contact with the metals that could also be mined from the seabed in the future. They are used in smartphones and electric cars, for example.
How can individual citizens contribute to protecting the deep-sea ecosystem? Are there concrete options for action or initiatives that can be supported?
Individual citizens can contribute in their everyday lives, especially by engaging with the topic of deep-sea mining, supporting various NGOs, or generally supporting recycling and environmentally friendly business practices.
What was the biggest surprise or discovery for you personally in your research or during your research on deep-sea mining? Were there any unexpected twists or new perspectives?
When I began exploring the topic, I found two things particularly fascinating. First, how little we know about the deep sea and how much research discovers with each new dive in the deep sea. Secondly, I found it fascinating how many small and large companies have spoken out against deep-sea mining.
What makes you optimistic when you think about the future of the deep-sea ecosystem and the global efforts to regulate deep-sea mining? Are there any examples of progress or positive developments?
In my opinion, three developments in particular could benefit deep-sea ecosystems. First, the election of Brazilian oceanographer Leticia Carvalho as head of the International Seabed Authority. She succeeds Michael Lodge, who is considered more business-oriented and pro-deep-sea mining, and her election is associated with great hopes among environmentalists. Second, there is a strong commitment by NGOs and companies against deep-sea mining, which is constantly growing. And third, the conditions for mineral consumption are changing. Research into alternative technologies and increased recycling could lead to the minerals that are to be mined from the seabed perhaps no longer being needed in the future. Finally, a video tip: The Environmental Justice Foundation produced a piece that explores the topic of deep-sea mining from various perspectives and gives people around the world a voice. We also had the opportunity to share our perspective – a worthwhile portrait of the impacts and challenges of this important topic.
Have you noticed that our two current SHIFTphones have recently become available at a significantly lower price?
The two price reductions and the SHIFT6mq + upgrade have also been shared on our social media channels. If you are still wondering which offers it is actually about, here is a brief summary:
* Important to know: For the free upgrade, your SHIFT6mq must be in good condition, with only signs of wear consistent with age. However, if repairs are necessary, we will invoice you for them. Otherwise the conditions as described on our upgrade page (shift.eco/upgrade) apply.
Normally we at SHIFT are very economical with special offers. It goes against our values to release a new super sale every week. For us, our devices are valuable in many ways and not junk. That’s why we think a lot before we lower prices and create new offers. We would like to share these thoughts with you and include you in our considerations.
The perfect format for this is our Brothertalk (Currently only available in German. But you can activate the subtitles for translation!) Here Carsten and Samuel talk frankly about what moves us and in particular about the considerations behind the new offers.
With this in mind, we cordially invite you to take a look at the latest issue of Brothertalk. From 3:26 min it’s about the price reduction and the upgrade. This Link will take you directly to this part.
may we introduce This is Fred or scientifically correct Stauroteuthis syrtensi. It lives in the deep sea at over 1000 meters below the sea surface and is one of the few octopuses that luminesces.
Only at the end of last year, almost 200 countries reached an agreement in Montreal that might also define the future of Fred and his kind decides. A global plan to protect biodiversity with specific objectives is intended to stop the ongoing loss of habitats and biodiversity worldwide.When we think of biodiversity, we have we often see blooming meadows and less the diversity of life in the deep sea. The deep sea floor covers more than half of our earth, but so far humans have only explored a fraction of this vastness. One thing is undisputed: the ocean and its ecosystems have countless and important functions for people all over the world, be it as a source of food, an opportunity to earn an income or for climate regulation. It is well known that life in the deep sea is a fragile system that is home to hundreds of thousands of species and where more new species are discovered with every research voyage.
Deep sea mining and IT technology
Meanwhile, the possibility of deep-sea mining is repeatedly discussed, especially in relation to the increasing demand for raw materials and precious metals, especially for IT technologies and products. Before we know more about Fred and the complex and fragile ecosystem of the deep sea, we should definitely not start mining resources there commercially. Because this serious intervention would have unforeseeable consequences.
In addition to the activities of states, it is also important that companies see themselves as key players and take a stand, after all they are the processors of the resources. That’s why we as SHIFT recently signed the moratorium on deep sea mining along with other companies.
Finally, good news: After more than 15 years of negotiations, the Convention on the Protection of “Biodiversity Beyond National Legislation” (BBNJ) to protect the oceans was completed at the UN in New York at the beginning of March 2023. The agreement is the next logical step after the Montreal World Biodiversity Conference late last year. There, the international community had agreed to designate 30 percent of the seas as protected areas by 2030. to set up protected areas in the so-called high seas, i.e. in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The UN agreement will now create such a set of rules when it comes into force after ratification by 60 states. In addition to a mechanism for designating protected areas, it also stipulates that the effects of human activities on the marine ecosystems in the high seas must be assessed using so-called environmental impact assessments.