Do current generations have the right to deplete the extractable reserves of metal ores in the ground, potentially leaving future generations empty-handed? Are we, through the energy transition, swapping one undesirable dependency – that on Russia for natural gas – for an even riskier one – that on China for metals? Can we ensure that a green and digital Europe does not come at the expense of people in the (developing) countries where mining takes place?
These questions were central to the metals project carried out in 2021 by the Green European Foundation in collaboration with Wetenschappelijk Bureau GroenLinks and other European partners. The final report, Metals for a Green and Digital Europe – An Agenda for Action, is available in several languages.
This project was organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Wetenschappelijk Bureau GroenLinks (NL), Fundacja Strefa Zieleni (PL), Transición Verde (ES), Etopia (BE), Institut Aktivního Občanství (CZ), the Green Economics Institute (UK), and Visio (FI), and with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.
