Green Deal – Chancen und Risiken für die Mineralrohstoffwirtschaft

The Mineral Raw Materials Industry was hit severely by COVID-19. Declines in production and collapsing demands characterize the year 2020. The EU Commission’s proposal to raise the 2030 greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, including emissions and removals from 40 to at least 55%, poses a challenge for the European industry, especially the energy-intensive one. The European Commission’s idea for a carbon border tax adjustment mechanism and sustainable finance models (sustainable finance and taxonomy) are currently the subject of controversial debate. Economic burdens on specific branches and the industrial site have to be taken into account, if a carbon leakage scenario is to be avoided and if Europe has to be given a fair chance to stay competitive in spite of an ambitious climate policy. It is important, not only to protect climate and environment, but also the European industry, jobs and social system. The transformation towards a sustainable economy and society necessitates an increasing demand of mineral raw materials and electrical energy. Only through developing resilient value chains a sufficient supply of raw materials can be achieved.