2023 Reports

Circularity in Mineral and Renewable Energy Value Chains: Overview of Technology, Policy, and Finance Aspects

Toledano, Perrine; Dietrich Brauch, Martin; Arnold, Jack

The mineral-intensive global energy transition and the increasing material needs of a growing population will exacerbate mining’s footprint on the planet, under current linear economy conditions. Responsible primary production of minerals and metals needs to be combined with circular economy approaches. CCSI’s report Circularity in Mineral and Renewable Energy Value Chains: Overview of Technology, Policy, and Finance Aspects examines existing conditions as well as reforms needed to enable global circularity in the mineral value chains of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and wind turbines, zeroing in on four key materials: aluminum, copper products, silicon, and steel. The project was supported by ICMM and the Enel Foundation.