Sustainable supply of critical minerals for the energy transition

In cooperation with FLSchmidt

Critical minerals are key ingredients to the energy and digital transition. The electrification of the world will come to a halt if we cannot supply enough minerals, as they are essential to wind, solar, grid infrastructures and batteries. Higher investments in critical minerals globally mean the supply could meet the rapidly increasing demand by 2030. But this positive prospect is overshadowed by two key issues:

• The significant concentration in critical minerals supply chains by a few countries could slow down the pace of the energy transition required to curb climate change with the dramatic consequence this would imply.
• The lack of progress on reducing the environmental footprint of mining. Emissions per tonne of mineral output remains roughly the same whereas water use has almost doubled. This poses a threat to the license to operate in the industry and its ability to meet the demand in a timely manner.

These challenges are worrisome but not insurmountable. Critical material reserves are widely distributed so diversification of supply can be achieved provided governments collaborate. Similarly, solutions exist to significantly reduce the emissions, energy and water intensity of mining. But the uptake of these solutions remains too slow.

Collaboration across the value-chain and support from policy-makers are essential to accelerate sustainable mining practices.

This session will explore how we can secure the resilient supply chain of critical minerals needed for the green global transition while maintaining sustainable mining practices. This will include just partnerships between the producing countries, mining corporations and manufactures.

Speakers TBA.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Consulate General of Denmark in New York, 666 3rd Avenue, New York, United States

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