Building Resiliency through Demand-Side Solutions: The Next Frontier in Critical Raw Materials

11 July, 15:00 – 17:00 CEST
Register here

The pursuit of sustainability goals has elevated the transition to a green economy to an urgent priority. While minerals play a vital role in the energy transition, it’s important to acknowledge that not all materials hold equal importance. In fact, the demand for these minerals primarily stems from sectors such as construction, defense, ICTs/digitalization, rather than solely from the energy transition.

Regrettably, the supply of critical raw materials (CRMs) encounters various challenges, including escalating demand, geopolitical tensions, and growing environmental and social concerns. To minimize adverse human rights and environmental impacts, a careful and well-thought-out approach to extraction is necessary. Consequently, the recognition of the significance of mitigating these risks has given rise to demand-side solutions as a crucial strategy for reducing dependence on CRMs.

Reducing demand becomes imperative as a resiliency approach, as a diminished demand from the EU economy translates into reduced dependence on third countries. Given the unpredictable political climate of these countries in the future and the competition for limited raw material supply, a strategic focus on demand ensures the allocation of minerals to the sectors that truly require them. Therefore, strategic thinking demand-side solutions must underpin the development of raw materials policies.

At this pivotal moment, we are organizing a webinar to delve into the significance of the Critical Raw Materials Act, encompassing its various types, benefits, challenges, and its role in implementing demand-side mitigation measures. This webinar will provide a platform to showcase best practices, case studies, and success stories that underscore the effectiveness of demand-side solutions, offering practical insights to participants. Furthermore, the webinar aims to foster knowledge exchange and facilitate collaboration among diverse stakeholders in the CRM field, including academic experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers.

Agenda:

15:00 – 15:13 Opening Remarks

• Diego Marin, Policy Officer at the European Environmental Bureau

• MEP Malin Bjork, (The European Left) GUE/NGL, Shadow Rapporteur for critical raw materials act at the ENVI Committee

Problems 15:13 – 16:05

The Green Transition: An Energy Perspective

• Dr Alicia Valero, Senior researcher and head of the industrial ecology group at the Research Centre for Energy Resources and Consumption (CIRCE) – University of Zaragoza

Unveiling the Geopolitical Dimensions of Resource Demand

• Emmanuel Hache | Research Director and Senior Fellow at the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs

MEP Reactions

• MEP Riho Terras, EPP (TBC)

Audience Questions and Answers

Solutions 16:05 – 16:55

Sufficiency for Resource-Resiliency

• Stephane Bourgeois, Head of European Relations and Policies at Negawatt Association and lead at the Clever Project

The Recycling Industry as a Catalyst for Resilience

• Emmanue Katrakis, Secretary General, European Recycling Industries’ Confederation (EuRIC)

Reactions from MEPs

• MEP Sarah Matthieu, Greens (TBC)

Audience Questions and Answers

16:55 – End Closing

• Iñigo Capellan-Perez, LOCOMOTION Horizon Project Speakers (TBC)