#32 Michael Reckordt: Critical Raw Materials Act, mining boom or environmental and social bust?

Join us for a thought-provoking episode as we delve into the world of critical raw materials.

We've all heard about the global dilemmas surrounding resources like cobalt, essential for the technology in our mobile phones, but often sourced from regions with questionable human rights records.

The energy transition, the production of batteries, electric vehicles, and the transmission of renewable energy all rely heavily on raw materials, including cobalt, nickel, lithium, and rare earth elements. These minerals are concentrated in a few countries, making them susceptible to geopolitical supply disruptions.

International institutions, including the United States and the European Union, have been working on critical minerals strategies, with Europe's proposed Critical Raw Materials Act currently at a pivotal stage.

In this episode, host Richard Howitt engages in a captivating conversation with ⁠Michael Reckordt⁠, Resource Policy expert from the German organization ⁠Powershift⁠. PowerShift conducts research and develops policies related to international trade, raw materials, and climate policy, all in support of a more ecological and fair global economy.

You’ll hear more about:

• What are Critical Raw Materials, why we need them and what the EU is doing about it
• Sufficiency, circularity and due diligence as key elements to improve the proposal
• The importance of bringing these issues outside of the industry, regulatory and political debate
• The lifestyle we want to have and what we can afford within the planetary boundaries

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