Findings from a study published in the energy research journal, Joule, indicate an abundance of raw materials to completely transition to renewable energy.
In the climate change discourse, a persistent fallacy suggests that we lack the necessary materials for transitioning to a zero-emissions future. However, a recent study published in the journal, Joule, dispels this myth, uncovering an abundance of raw materials poised to fuel a renewable energy revolution. Aligning with ambitious global initiatives like the Paris Agreement, the stage is set for transformative progress.
Encouragingly, essential materials such as aluminium, steel, and rare-earth metals are readily available. The caveat lies in the imperative need for responsible mining and processing, essential to mitigate environmental damage and uphold human rights.
A comprehensive analysis of seventeen key materials crucial for low-emission electricity generation reveals varied demands, underscoring the intricate nature of transitioning to cleaner infrastructure.
The material demand depends on the type of clean energy infrastructure that needs to be built. Based on the 1.5C target, projections for 2050 indicate staggering needs, including 2 billion metric tons of steel, 1.3 billion metric tons of cement, and a quadrupling of rare-earth metals production such as dysprosium and neodymium. Despite the daunting figures, the study instils confidence that geologic reserves can meet these demands while effectively curbing global warming.
The trade-off, however, involves upfront emissions from mining and processing, potentially reaching 29 gigatons of CO2 by 2050. Most of these emissions are attributed to polysilicon, steel, and cement. Yet, these emissions pale in comparison to the long-term benefits of cleaner energy technologies supplanting fossil fuels. Ongoing advancements in reducing emissions from heavy industries further contribute to mitigating the environmental impact.
The mining and processing efforts will emit significant amounts of emissions but over the next 30 years, they will still be cumulatively less than one year’s worth of global emissions from fossil fuels. The cost of emissions will therefore be more than offset by the savings incurred by transitioning to clean energy technologies. Thus, contrary to prevailing beliefs, the study dispels the notion that mining for renewable energy materials carries a heavier environmental toll than fossil fuel extraction.
Encouragingly, essential materials such as aluminium, steel, and rare-earth metals are readily available. The caveat lies in the imperative need for responsible mining and processing, essential to mitigate environmental damage and uphold human rights.
The scope of the study is limited to technologies that generate electricity only. In an energy consumption model, there exists supplemental material requirements in technologies for storing and using electricity like batteries in electric vehicles or grid storage. Taking those into consideration, the demand for battery materials is expected to rise by 2050. Consequently, the annual production of graphite, lithium, and cobalt will need to increase 4.5 times from 2018 levels, according to a study conducted by the World Bank.
Despite this increased demand, the takeaway remains the same – raw material reserves of materials for building renewable energy infrastructure are sufficient even in the highest-demand scenarios. The caveat is getting them out of the ground.
If mining and excavation to access these raw materials were to be ramped up, there would be social and environmental challenges. For example, since the world first started mining thousands of years ago, about 700 million metric tons of copper have been mined. To meet climate targets, another 700 million metric tons will need to be mined in just the next 30 years. While the reserves have enough to supply that, mining at this scale, whether it be for fossil fuels or renewable energy, could cause massive damage to communities such as the Indigenous people of the western US, and cause pollution. Labour presents another issue. In a lot of cases, workers are exploited and forced to work in dangerous conditions and unfair wages. Furthermore, cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo still exploits child labour, and polysilicon processing in China has been linked to forced labour.
The challenge at hand lies in responsible mining practices. Demetrios Papathanasiou, Global Director for the World Bank’s Energy and Extractives Global Practice, underscores the potential environmental harm, whether tied to fossil fuels or renewables. The race towards a cleaner future necessitates sustainable material solutions that safeguard well-being. As the world navigates the intricate labyrinth of renewable energy, strategic actions become the compass guiding us towards a sustainable, equitable, and zero-emissions future.
