Verbatim report of proceedings

Wednesday, 13 September 2023 - Strasbourg

Framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials (debate)

  Henna Virkkunen (PPE). – Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, this Critical Raw Materials Act is one of the most important initiatives of the term. The aim is to increase the mining, processing and recycling of critical raw materials in Europe, and this is a very worthwhile goal.

We really need investments in this field, and these projects in Europe need to be boosted, otherwise we will not be able to achieve our goals of climate neutrality, when there simply are not enough, for example, batteries, solar cells or wind turbines needed for that. Europe’s green and digital transition is far too dependent on imports, especially from China. Of the raw materials listed as critical, 90% of them come to Europe from one country. So we need to strengthen our own capacity and also diversify our supply chains. It is particularly important to speed up the permit processes required by investments in Europe without compromising on environmental responsibility.

I understand that mining raises also concerns; however, it would be irresponsible to push for a green transition and, at the same time, outsource the harms to the rest of the world. Europe must take greater responsibility for the entire value chain. Only in this way can we operate in a sustainable way in terms of environmental, economic and social impacts.