Securing the needed minerals and metals could be a stumbling block to reaching its ambitious goals
CLIMATEWIRE | Europe’s plan to slash Russian fossil fuel imports and accelerate renewable energy production will test its ability to find the minerals, metals and other components that are needed for a dramatic shift to clean power.
“Today, we are taking our ambition yet to another level to make sure that we become independent from Russian fossil fuels as quickly as possible,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.Europe could face shortages of the materials needed for its clean energy transition, or risk forming new dependencies on unsustainable suppliers, according to a recent report commissioned by the metals industry group Eurometaux and written by the Belgium-based research university KU Leuven.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres responded to the report by calling for a massive infusion of renewable energy. Timing, too, remains a challenge. New mines take years to be permitted and developed — if they ever are. Record-high energy prices could also limit the ability to refine metals used in clean energy technologies.“2030 is practically tomorrow in infrastructure terms,” said Book of ClearView Energy.
The European Commission also recommended measures that would accelerate complex permitting processes and dedicate “go-to” areas for renewables with lower environmental risks. “Installers across Europe, and in many markets internationally, report difficulty finding the skilled labor needed to build and install projects,” said Acke.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Janet Yellen: US recession not expected but Europe is 'vulnerable'Economic headwinds as a result of the Ukrainian conflict could result in a recession in Europe, warns the US treasury secretary Janet Yellen
Read more »
Nestle flies baby formula to US from Europe to ease shortageNestle is shipping Gerber baby formula from the Netherlands and Alfamino formula from Switzerland to the United States to help with a formula shortage crisis that has left parents struggling to find supplies in stores.
Read more »
Monkeypox Outbreak Widens in EuropeDozens of confirmed or suspected cases of monkeypox have been detected in the U.K., Spain and Portugal, in a puzzling European outbreak of a disease that is rarely detected outside of Africa.
Read more »
Rare monkeypox outbreak in U.K., Europe and U.S.: What is it and should we worry?There's a monkeypox outbreak in England, Portugal and Spain. The outbreak is quite small – just 36 suspected cases spread across the three countries, including 8 in England and 20 in Portugal. A case in the U.S. has also been reported.
Read more »
Monkeypox case identified in Massachusetts as outbreak grows in EuropeA man in Massachusetts marks the first U.S. case of monkeypox identified this year. Officials in the U.K., Spain and Portugal are also investigating new cases.
Read more »
What is monkeypox, the rare virus now confirmed in the U.S. and Europe?Scientists are trying to answer questions about the outbreak of a disease not known to spread easily between humans.
Read more »