The EU's race for Critical Raw Materials: beyond extraction, into consequences
This third episode of Re-thinking Europe delves into a pivotal aspect of the EU’s trade policy: Critical Raw Materials (CRMs).
With Cécile Billaux, Head of the Private Sector, Trade and Investment Unit at DG INTPA, at the European Commission, we discuss the origins, as well as the negative impacts of CRM extraction - associated with the EU's increasing resource demand - on people and the environment in resource-rich developing countries.
To what extent will the EU's new strategic partnerships on CRM benefit local populations and support the green transition and industrialization in partner countries? What is the EU doing to address the life-threatening impacts of mining on indigenous peoples and local communities linked with its increasing demand? How can the EU effectively reduce demand for CRMs while working towards achieving its ambitious climate objectives?
You will also hear Diego Marin, policy officer for raw materials and resource justice at the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), telling us more about his journey. Diego explains the reality of mining activities on the ground and his experience at the Conga Mine, a gold and copper mining project in Cajamarca, Peru.
This episode of Rethinking-Europe is available on the following streaming platforms: Spotify, Deezer, Apple Podcasts, Amazon/Audible
Diego's story and his experiences from the ground in Peru are illustrated in the video below.
