Clean-Mineral/ Climate friendly mineral supply chains in transition to the green economy

Raw materials are one crux in the current efforts to address the issue of climate change. On the one hand, critical raw materials are central to move towards a low-emission and green economy.

In addition, large-scale electrification of energy systems poses new requirements for energy storage technologies leading, consequently, to an increasing need for the mining of ’battery-minerals’ such as cobalt, lithium, and graphite.

On the other hand, the supply and demand of these minerals require a high level of coordination between countries, particularly developing countries extracting and exporting these battery minerals, which became even more apparent with the impacts of COVID-19.

Meeting the market need, therefore, is contingent on an efficient supply chain that requires both technological and governance solutions.

This study applies research expertise in both engineering and social science to develop a practical pathway for establishing a systematic and sustainable direction towards a climate-smart framework for global mineral supply.

The proposed framework will include the structure and overall regulations and a platform on which developed countries can provide technical assistance and investments to mineral-rich developing countries.

The outcomes from this project are needed for a carbon-free economy transition, overcoming some of the stumbling blocks at the policy levels and integrating the solutions into technical systems.