Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020
126. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the analysis which has been undertaken in relation to the sustainability of sourcing rare earth materials for electric vehicle battery technology; the way in which resource and environmental implications of the transition to green energy, including electric vehicles, have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35137/20]
View answerThe roll out of EVs on our roads over the coming years, as envisaged by both the Climate Action Plan (2019) and the Programme for Government, will play a key role in helping to decarbonise our national transport fleet. In addition to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, electric vehicles (EVs) also bring other benefits such as improved air quality and encouraging additional positive contributions towards meeting our climate and energy objectives. It is noted that environmental and sustainability concerns have been raised in relation to production of batteries for use in electric vehicles and other applications. The European Green Deal Communication, which presents Europe's new growth strategy and sets out a roadmap to become climate-neutral by 2050, recognises access to raw materials as a “strategic security question” for delivering on this ambition. The European Commission published the 2020 List of Critical Raw Materials (which includes Rare Earth Elements), an Action Plan on Critical Raw Materials, and a foresight study on critical raw materials for strategic technologies and sectors from the 2030 and 2050 perspectives on 3 September, 2020. The Action Plan on Critical Raw Materials is aimed to:
- develop resilient value chains for EU industrial ecosystems;
- reduce dependency on primary critical raw materials through circular use of resources, sustainable products and innovation;
- strengthen domestic sourcing of raw materials in the EU;
- diversify sourcing from third countries and remove distortions to international trade, fully respecting the EU's international obligations.
Further details on the above initiative are available to download at https://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/raw-materials/specific-interest/critical_en
In addition, I will shortly be publishing a draft policy statement for consultation on mineral exploration and mining. This will provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to inform the development of policy in this area. The draft policy statement will include a significant focus on how we can maintain and improve the sustainability of mineral exploration and mining, and on the role of minerals, (including minerals which are critical raw materials), in supporting technologies that will help achieve our decarbonisation targets.
