Europe’s mineral raw materials challenge: balancing strategic needs with environmental protection

Europe’s mineral raw materials challenge: balancing strategic needs with environmental protection W. Eberhard Falck and Vitor Correia of the International Raw Materials Observatory examine the EU’s challenges in securing mineral raw materials while protecting the environment and ensuring democratic governance. The European Union faces an unprecedented dilemma in securing its mineral raw materials supply while protecting its environment. The 2024 Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) represents a turning point, marking a fundamental shift from market- oriented approaches towards strategic interventionism in response to mounting supply chain vulnerabilities.