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The Russia-Ukraine crises is already underway Human catastrophe. It could also be disastrous for climate action, slowing down the global energy transition.
Russia and Ukraine are both key suppliers Important metalsThey are used in the manufacturing of green technologies, such as solar panels and wind turbines. These materials are in short supply worldwide due to the conflict.
Concerns about energy security have also prompted fossil fuel imports. This has prompted calls from Australia to delay emission reduction efforts.
Global climate action must not be impeded by the war in Eastern Europe. We must ensure the renewables industry is better able to withstand such global shocks – which in the long run will aid the transition.
Evgeniy Maloletka/AP
The threat of sanctions
To achieve its emission reduction targets, the world requires a steady, reliable and affordable supply clean energy. This supply relies on access to so-called “Energy transition metals” such as copper, nickel, platinum, palladium, aluminium and lithium.
The Russian-Ukraine Conflict has already prompted countries to impose trade sanctions against Russian oil and gas and coal, as well as other commodities, which could have a significant impact on global energy security.
Russia’s metals have so far escaped this punishment. However, such sanctions may not be out of reach. In 2018, SanctionsRusal, a Russian aluminum producer, was subject to a stiff price hike.
Russia accounts for 7% of the world’s mined Nickel – a scarce metal needed to make electric vehicle batteries. Nickel prices rose due to the current conflict. 250%Last week, it took 48 hours.
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Will Russia’s invasion in Ukraine push Europe towards energy independence?
Russia also produces A third of the world’s palladium. This metal is used in automobile industry to control Vehicle emissions. The Palladium price reached an all-time highFollowing the Ukraine crisis, however, they have since plummeted.
Ukraine is the world’s Largest supplier of a group of chemical elements known as “noble gases”. These chemical elements include neon and krypton and are used to make Semiconductor chips. These are an essential component of all Electronic systemsThese include those found in automobiles, renewables machinery, and other technologies.
Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 triggered a rise in neon prices. According to some chip manufacturers, StockpileNeon ahead of the current Russia-Ukraine Conflict, but the longer-term outlook. Uncertain.
Courtney Crow/AP
A boost for fossil fuels
Before the Russia-Ukraine war, there was already global progress towards reducing our dependence upon fossil fuels. Too slow. One example is the 30% development of solar and wind power projects. Below what’s needed to achieve the world’s climate targets this decade.
The world will suffer if the materials required to produce these technologies are not available.
Coal imports are also being driven by concerns about energy security as countries race to ensure their fossil fuel supply. For example, in Europe, there was a rush to import coal because of fears about disruptions to Russian gas supplies. Imports of coal.
The GermanThe government is also being pressured to reconsider its short-term plans for coal exit and ending nuclear power.
In Australia, rising fuel costs have also led to higher fuel prices prompted callsby pro-coal members to the federal government for Australia’s halting its plan for net-zero carbon emission by 2050.
Wang Kai/Xinhua-AP
Ripple effects
Despite all the negative news regarding the energy transition disruptions caused by the Eastern European war offer valuable lessons for the longer term.
The crisis, along with the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to strengthen countries’ institutions DomesticCapacity to create clean technologies.
For example, the United States invests in Critical metalExploration and Manufacturing.
And in Australia, the federal government’s manufacturing strategy Supports investmentsIn critical resource processing
The crisis has also provided a launching pad for a Wake upFor countries to reduce their dependence upon Russian fossil fuels. Energy demand.
The price rise of critical minerals Most likely toNew mining, manufacturing, or renewable energy projects are encouraged outside Russia. For example, in the Philippines, there are twelve new nickel minesThis year, they are expected to be strong.
This push may diversify global supplies. But it could also trigger a range of environmental and social benefits. Harms.
These large-scale projects must be supported by communities and the surrounding environment. Protected.
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Renewable energy requires the use of critical minerals. We must learn how to responsibly mine them
ILYA GRAIDNEFF/AAP
Where can I go from here?
The Russia-Ukraine conflict casts a cloud of uncertainty over the world’s supply of resources necessary for the energy transition.
Investors, governments, and industry must ensure any disruptions to the world’s transition goals are short-lived. This is an opportunity to make renewables more resilient in the long term.
We cannot afford to let the Russia-Ukraine conflict derail our focus on an even broader crisis: Earth’s worsening climate catastrophe.
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So, we are creating safer and cleaner ways to recover rare-earth metals from old phones and laptops.
