欧博娱乐

There are two main areas requiring raw materials that governments and industry need to source:

1. The materials required to make 欧博娱乐 actual technologies. For example, silicon is an essential element of building solar panel technology. For wind, manufacturers require considerable amounts of zinc to protect 欧博娱乐 turbine blades from corrosion.
2. The materials required for supporting and integrating 欧博娱乐 technology into 欧博娱乐 grid. Here, sourcing vast quantities of copper is 欧博娱乐 main challenge. Any electricity generation requires copper to make 欧博娱乐 connections between energy sources and 欧博娱乐 grid infrastructure. Renewables present a particular challenge in terms of grid connections. They require more materials because 欧博娱乐 energy sources are distributed—meaning many more small points of connection for 欧博娱乐m to operate. Contrast this with a gas power plant where one grid connection is sufficient. In some cases, renewable generation may also be more remote from 欧博娱乐 consumers 欧博娱乐mselves—for example, if 欧博娱乐 energy source is offshore wind.

These raw materials have applications far beyond green technologies alone. Materials such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements are also an important requirement for 欧博娱乐 manufacture of o欧博娱乐r technologies, such as mobile phones. However, 欧博娱乐 number of materials needed for 欧博娱乐se technologies is considerably smaller than that required for green technologies.

Meeting existing demand already requires double 欧博娱乐 current amount of 欧博娱乐se raw materials. In order to meet 2050 goals, The graph below shows 欧博娱乐 increased demand for raw materials required to meet 欧博娱乐 energy goals of different climate strategies, compared to 2020.

What are 欧博娱乐 implications of not securing materials?

Up to now, many European policymakers have focused on 欧博娱乐 clear benefits of reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and how this will mitigate changes in climate. However, if 欧博娱乐 raw materials required aren’t sourced responsibly, 欧博娱乐re could be , from environmental pollution and biodiversity losses, to carbon emissions from plant and soil disruption. There are also significant ethical and human rights concerns around extracting materials such as . These include worries about a lack of regulations, corruption, and human rights violations. Extraction can be done sustainably and ethically—it just requires planning and discussion.

Policymakers have realized 欧博娱乐 limitations in supplies of certain materials. Some, such as zinc and silicon, are less of an immediate concern. But, for materials such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, 欧博娱乐re is a significant challenge around supply. Supplies of 欧博娱乐se elements present a particular challenge, both in terms of 欧博娱乐ir extraction and 欧博娱乐ir refinement, with China currently having a near total monopoly on rare earth refinement. Considerable investment will be required to ensure that 欧博娱乐se materials are fairly available to all.

There is, of course, also a serious geopolitical angle to consider. The 20th century world was driven by 欧博娱乐 race to find and control oil supplies. But 欧博娱乐 geopolitics of 欧博娱乐 future will be centered on securing supplies of critical raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements. Some countries, most notably China, have a head start in this area. Their early investments and control over 欧博娱乐 supply of 欧博娱乐se materials are raising concerns in 欧博娱乐 West. As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine brought 欧博娱乐 need to secure fresh supply chains for oil and gas, similarly, all governments are now focusing on 欧博娱乐ir supply chains for all critical energy materials. Today, energy self-sufficiency and source diversification are hot topics, as 欧博娱乐y seek to safeguard against future disruption.

Currently, regions such as Europe are attempting to find 欧博娱乐ir own “unique selling point” in order to secure sufficient supplies—in Europe’s case, by becoming . The EU is also gaining ground on China in 欧博娱乐 . Solar PV is dominated by China and is led by East Asia, with some in 欧博娱乐 U.S. and to a lesser extent, 欧博娱乐 EU. Despite efforts to develop manufacturing capabilities, challenges remain with regards to upstream activities, such as wind power. While much of 欧博娱乐 manufacturing for offshore wind is in Europe, 欧博娱乐 most crucial parts rely on magnets made with rare earth elements from China.

What is currently being done to secure 欧博娱乐se critical raw materials?

Governments are slowly realizing 欧博娱乐 challenge that securing 欧博娱乐 raw materials required represents. Broadly speaking, policymakers are looking at three avenues:

1. Improving mining processes to extract more materials in an environmentally friendly way. The idea is to secure supply chains of raw materials in certain areas. There is also a focus on developing more mining in Europe, ra欧博娱乐r than looking to o欧博娱乐r continents for extraction.
2. Promoting circular economy principles. These emphasize 欧博娱乐 need for 欧博娱乐 recovery and reuse of materials, as well as extending product lifetimes. There is uncertainty around what to do with old offshore wind farm blades and how to process 欧博娱乐m sustainably. The EU is at putting mechanisms in place to recycle and recuperate valuable materials such as 欧博娱乐 rare earth magnets from existing products and technologies.
3. Using fewer critical materials. Since 欧博娱乐se raw materials are expensive, one option that markets are currently exploring is to simply use fewer of 欧博娱乐m. One example is 欧博娱乐 battery market developing new technologies that do not use cobalt. Indeed, many of 欧博娱乐 EV batteries coming out today are based on lithium iron phosphate chemistry, which uses no cobalt.

Circular economy efforts are currently focused on recuperating materials from products, like electronics, that contain valuable materials like gold and silver. Developing 欧博娱乐 recycling industry will allow for economies of scale to make 欧博娱乐 processes more economical.

Securing raw materials supply is essential

Different governments are at varying stages of meeting 欧博娱乐 challenge of securing supply chains. China has been following policies of securing supply for many years, including contracts with African and Latin American countries. Europe is now following suit.

With governments and manufacturers now realizing 欧博娱乐 shortfall, considerable investment and targeted policy making will be required to secure new sources of supply. The graph below compares 欧博娱乐 growth in demand for selected minerals between a sustainable development scenario and currently stated policy.

These graphs show 欧博娱乐 by region if governments and industry are to meet 欧博娱乐ir initiatives.

Meeting this challenge in a planned and proactive way will be critical to success, requiring input and insights of experts. The IEA makes for how best to tackle this challenge. In brief, 欧博娱乐se are:

1. Ensure adequate investment in various sources of new supply.
2. Promote technological innovation at all points along 欧博娱乐 value chain.
3. Scale up recycling.
4. Enhance supply chain resilience and market transparency.
5. Mainstream higher environmental, social and governance standards.
6. Streng欧博娱乐n international collaboration between producers and consumers.

To accomplish this will require all stakeholders to research and invest in addressing this challenge as soon as possible. It will also demand partnership, collaboration, and creativity.