Access to responsibly sourced minerals should become an international priority.
Industry and research representatives have urged the UK government to strengthen the supply of critical raw materials necessary for the energy transition. The country relies heavily on imports, leaving it vulnerable to potentially unstable supply chains. This concern was outlined in a letter (PDF) signed by around 30 companies and organizations from renewable energy and mining sectors. To mitigate these risks, the letter calls for advancing circular economy practices, recycling, and improving material efficiency.
The signatories also advocate for making access to responsibly sourced critical minerals a global priority and enhancing diplomatic efforts to ensure this. Without equitable access to these resources, combating climate change in an increasingly unstable world will be impossible, they warn. The letter was prompted by the COP26 climate summit in Azerbaijan and the G20 meeting in Brazil, where the UK plans to champion the global energy transition.
Economic Opportunities Through a Circular Economy
The initiative was coordinated by the think tank Green Alliance, which highlighted the economic potential of a circular economy for critical raw materials. One example cited was recycled nickel from electric vehicle batteries, which could meet over 50% of the UK’s domestic demand by 2040.
In recent years, the UK has taken steps toward greater raw material autonomy. This includes the release of its first national critical minerals strategy, which emphasizes new resource partnerships and revitalizing domestic mining. Recycling also plays a key role, with companies like Mkango Rare Earths UK and Ionic Technologies emerging as significant players, bolstered by partial government funding.
More on Circular Economy efforts: Recycling is gaining importance globally as a raw material source. Just yesterday, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released a report on the current status of recycling.
Photo: akinbostanci via Canva
