The dirty side of clean energy: shedding light on the risks associated with the critical materials boom

Abstract

Population growth and economic development have significantly intensified material resource consumption, with a notable surge in demand for energy transition minerals and metals (ETMs). The global shift towards carbon-neutral economies has driven major economic powers to secure stable supplies of these critical raw materials (CRMs). On the other hand, resource-rich countries have been considering this trend as an economic opportunity through the required expansion in the extractive sector. Despite the immense wealth contained in natural resources, converting it into sustainable and inclusive development has remained a challenge that can be represented by the Resource Curse phenomenon and the Middle-income Trap. This critical analysis aims to present an overview of how main CRMs importers and exporters have been approaching this topic and address what we term “the dirty side of green technologies,” emphasizing that, despite their essential role in achieving sustainability goals, these technologies leave behind a trail of social and environmental liabilities along their material supply chains.

Keywords

Energy transition minerals / Critical raw materials / Strategic minerals / Resource curse / Renewable energy / Clean energy

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Funding

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico(00281397)

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