On the occasion of the ‘Researching Energy Pathways to a Resilient and Net-Zero Society’ conference, held in Brussels on Tuesday 17 October, the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) has published two papers outlining the current state of play, firstly in terms of reducing energy demand, and secondly in terms of critical raw materials (CRM) for renewable energies in Europe – two key areas for achieving Europe’s climate ambitions.
According to EERA Secretary General Adel El Gammal in a press release, achieving sufficient reductions in greenhouse gas emissions will require more than just technological advances and energy efficiency. It is essential to adopt a global approach, including all energy-consuming sectors, to reduce demand. This could be achieved by combining behavioural change, energy efficiency and energy sufficiency.
With regard to critical raw materials, EERA stresses the importance of secure and sustainable supplies, particularly for key technologies such as photovoltaic solar power, wind power, hydrogen, batteries and power electronics. The study stresses the need for a multi-dimensional strategy, backed by strong political will and investment in research and innovation (R&I), to guarantee a stable supply of CRM and thus support Europe’s climate ambitions.
To read the reports, go to https://aeur.eu/f/935 and https://aeur.eu/f/936 (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)