IEEP UK authors: Michael Nicholson, Edward Worsdell

Logika authors: Emma Watkins, Julie Sandilands, Rebecca Wells, Dan Hill, Lola McAuley

Many of the technologies needed to reach net zero – including hydrogen, batteries, the electricity grid, and wind and solar power – require critical raw materials (CRMs) to function.

As the demand for CRMs such as cobalt, copper and lithium increases, the supply chain faces risks from limited availability, concentrated supply, global competition, and environmental and social impacts. These can lead to supply disruptions, price volatility, trade dependencies and wider strategic risks for governments and industry.

However, the transition to net zero also presents opportunities, including through circular economy approaches that can reduce supply-chain risks. Robust, coherent and evidence-based CRM policy is needed to support Scotland’s transition.

This report, authored by Logika and IEEP UK for ClimateXChange, assesses Scotland’s future CRM needs, supply-chain risks and opportunities for action.

The full report was first published on the ClimateXChange website, and can be downloaded below.

Photo by Andrew Dawes on Unsplash