Securing Europe’s Supply of Rare Earths
The supply chain for rare earths needed for green technologies is dominated by China. To mitigate supply risks, European countries must invest in domestic mining, processing, and recycling capacities as well as international cooperation, argues Julian Kamasa in this CSS Policy Perspective.
Key Points
- In its ambitions to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, European countries should not deepen existing dependencies on authoritarian countries.
- It is important to invest more in the diversification of the REE supply chain both in and outside Europe to set up a politically reliable and economically resilient supply of REEs needed for the energy, transportation, and defense sectors.
- This effort can help European countries to reduce its energy dependence on authoritarian states, meet its climate ambitions, and create new jobs.