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<p>Geopolitical tensions—from the war in Ukraine and the escalating conflict between China and the United States to disrupted supply chains—have exposed Europe’s deep dependence on imported raw materials. At the same time, the EU’s Green Deal and stringent climate targets are placing substantial pressure on European industry. The steel, aluminium, and automotive sectors in particular are struggling with high energy costs, growing competitive pressure from China, declining production, and significant investment gaps in key technologies such as batteries.</p><p>While Europe’s domestic emissions continue to fall, carbon leakage to other regions is rising—a&#xa0;clear indication of industrial relocation. The transition to a&#xa0;climate-neutral economy significantly increases demand for renewable energy and critical raw materials. Recycling alone will not be able to meet these needs before 2040, and the EU remains heavily dependent on imports of essential materials such as rare earth elements, most of which originate from China.</p><p>The EU Critical Raw Materials Act is an important initial step toward improving Europe’s raw material security, but it is far from sufficient. To prevent economic decline and deindustrialisation, Europe urgently needs competitive energy prices, stronger trade instruments, new international partnerships, and industrial policies that ensure a&#xa0;level playing field and reinforce production within the European economic area.</p>

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Von globalen Spannungen zu grüner Energie: Europas Rohstofffrage im Fokus

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月13日

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  • Manfred Kudrna

摘要

Geopolitical tensions—from the war in Ukraine and the escalating conflict between China and the United States to disrupted supply chains—have exposed Europe’s deep dependence on imported raw materials. At the same time, the EU’s Green Deal and stringent climate targets are placing substantial pressure on European industry. The steel, aluminium, and automotive sectors in particular are struggling with high energy costs, growing competitive pressure from China, declining production, and significant investment gaps in key technologies such as batteries.

While Europe’s domestic emissions continue to fall, carbon leakage to other regions is rising—a clear indication of industrial relocation. The transition to a climate-neutral economy significantly increases demand for renewable energy and critical raw materials. Recycling alone will not be able to meet these needs before 2040, and the EU remains heavily dependent on imports of essential materials such as rare earth elements, most of which originate from China.

The EU Critical Raw Materials Act is an important initial step toward improving Europe’s raw material security, but it is far from sufficient. To prevent economic decline and deindustrialisation, Europe urgently needs competitive energy prices, stronger trade instruments, new international partnerships, and industrial policies that ensure a level playing field and reinforce production within the European economic area.