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
Southeast Europe: Plundering the Western Balkans Analysis Corrupt politicians have been systematically plundering public budgets and natural resources in the Western Balkans for years. Increasingly, international actors are also discovering an El Dorado for dubious investments in these countries. By Marion Kraske
Delay, Distract and Deceive: BECCS Developments in South America, Africa and Asia Analysis Part one of our series analyses the status of BECCS in South America and Africa and shows that BECCS is far from being the silver bullet to climate change that some actors portray it to be. By Coraina de la Plaza , Kwami Kpondzo and Souparna Lahiri
Value Addition in the Context of Mineral Processing Study This report takes a look at metal processing on the basis of six exemplary metals, which are essential to achieve decarbonisation. pdf
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