Raw materials for EU's green technologies

MEPs have approved a draft report on the European Commission's raw materials strategy.

The strategy demands that the commission establish a permanent task force to assess Europe’s need for raw materials used in a wide range of products.

MEPs want the main focus to be on rare earth elements, renewable energy, high-tech industries, and the defence and automotive sectors.

The commission has identified a list of 14 important materials, many used in the manufacture of green technologies, such as cobalt, which is used in lithium-iron batteries.

Meanwhile, the commission has approved funding for 183 new projects under the LIFE+ programme, the EU’s environment fund. Overall, they represent a total investment of some €530 million, of which the EU will provide €244 million.

The money will fund 64 nature and biodiversity projects, 104 related to environment policy and governance, and 15 focused on information and communication.