Seminar: Critical metals and the green transition

Critical metals are needed for a green transition, but both global reserves and production capacity are limited on the short time scale when the transition needs to take place. In a recent article in Environmental Development, On the allocation of critical metals for a green and just transition , Mikael J. Malmaeus (IVL), Eva C. Alfredsson (Uppsala University) and Erik Lindblom (IVL) approach critical metals as a global commons, needed by nations worldwide for transition towards zero greenhouse gas emissions and compliance with the Paris agreement. Analyzing the projected demand for a number of critical metals in the EU over the coming years in relation to the total amount available at current and estimated future production capacity, they show this demand to be significantly greater than what an allocation based on per capita shares of global reserves would allow. This, hold the authors, calls for a discussion of allocation principles for these critical metals and for strategies that substantially reduce their use.  

Join us for this seminar, in which Mikael J. Malmaeus (IVL, Swedish Environmental Research Institute) will present the findings of the publication. This will be followed by a discussion of some important questions related to plans to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions in the EU and worldwide. What allocation principles can, or should, direct the distribution of critical metals? What measures need to be taken to facilitate a sustainable green transition for all?