Europe’s Flawed Approach to Critical Minerals Commentary The EU's Critical Raw Materials Act is peppered with commitments to “value-addition” in the countries where critical minerals will be mined and processed. But there is reason to believe that this means little. By Sophia Pickles
How the EU Can Secure a Sustainable Supply of Critical Minerals Analysis The European Union has understood the importance of critical minerals in building a sustainable future. But neglecting to address the mining industry’s human-rights violations and environmental destruction could harm the ensure access to raw materials and boost the climate change. By Johanna Sydow
In the spotlight: Europe’s resource-rich countries Protocols The Critical Raw Materials Act proposed by the European Commission provides – in addition to recycling – for the reactivation and expansion of mining in Europe. What does this mean for resource-rich European countries? How do their civil societies feel about the run on raw materials on their doorstep? Three views from Serbia, Sweden and Ukraine.
When the forest wins The last word An examination of Ecuador's groundbreaking constitution, which centers nature, and the reasons it has the potential to inspire the world. By Elisabeth Weydt
A viable path forward Transportation The mobility transition offers the opportunity for a new regenerative economic model that does not repeat the mistakes of fossil fuel era. To rely solely on electric cars now would be heading in the wrong direction. A central component of a just mobility transition would be to end dependence on private cars, expand public transportation and promote healthy and active mobility options such as cycling and walking in cities as well. By Alejandro Gonzalez
The circular economy: recycling is only the third-best option Recycling Even if all raw materials could be recycled, this alone would not be enough to meet the rapidly growing demand. It is crucial that all options for waste prevention and reuse be exhausted and products and infrastructure used for as long as possible. In addition, these must be designed to be durable and easy to repair. By Johanna Sydow and Luisa Denter
The path to a globally just circular economy Economic models The circular economy is an approach for a sustainable economy and a good way of life, as well as an actionable response to the triple planetary crisis – global warming, loss of biodiversity and pollution – and not least a solution to an increasingly uncertain supply of raw materials. How could it be implemented on a global scale? By Prof. Dr. Dirk Messner, Dr. Alexander Janz and Jan Kosmol
Columns of smoke, resistances and ruins Consequential Damage It is long overdue that countries that extract or import raw materials establish clear standards and responsibilities for dealing with the consequences of mining. From the perspective of sustainability, most of the damage caused should no longer be tolerated at all. By Andrés Ángel
Protected in theory, exploited in practice Indigenous rights Their collective rights are recognized and enshrined in international agreements and national laws – yet indigenous communities still suffer immensely from the consequences of invasive mining projects. By Ingrid Hausinger
Shaping value creation to be ecologically sound and socially just Value creation The new German raw materials policy is tasked with increasing recycling and creating lasting supply security by diversifying supply routes as well as production and processing capacities. And it must ensure that resource-rich countries can benefit from their wealth. By Dr. Franziska Brantner