In the race to combat climate change and secure a sustainable future, European critical raw materials are seen as essential in powering the EU's green technologies. These technologies involve products and processes that use renewable materials and energy sources, minimise emissions and waste, and have a low environmental impact. From solar panels to electric vehicles, semi-conductors and electrolysers, CRMs are the backbone of technologies aiming to curb pollution and promote sustainability.
However, the path to a greener Europe is paved with challenges. Many industry sources claim that skyrocketing energy costs, restricted access to renewable energy, escalating CO2 expenses, and massive decarbonisation investments are just the tip of the iceberg. Add to this the complexities of trade barriers such as Chinese export bans and U.S. restrictions on Chinese supplies, compounded by geopolitical tensions, they argue the landscape becomes even more discouraging.
Join this Euractiv Stakeholder Workshop on 7 November at 10.30 am in Brussels to discuss the current strategies addressing the competitiveness of European industry and ensuring the viability of European CRM-based products through effective trade policies.
Questions to be addressed include:
- How can Europe rise above existing obstacles to secure a sustainable future?
- What strategies can be implemented to reduce the burden of high energy prices - highlighted in the recent Draghi report - on the European CRM industry?
- To ensure secure supply chains, how can Europe guarantee the availability and production of essential CRMs and their auxiliary raw materials?
- To facilitate decarbonisation investments, what incentives can drive the transformation of the CRM industry towards sustainability?
