"EU agrees mineral supply targets to cut reliance on China"

Negotiators for EU governments and the European Parliament reached a deal on Monday (13 November) on targets for domestic supply of critical minerals such as lithium and nickel to reduce its reliance on third countries, principally China. [...]

The political agreement now needs to be formally approved by both Parliament and Council in order to become law – a process that is usually a rubber-stamping exercise. It will be put to a vote in the Parliament’s industry, research and energy committee (ITRE) on 7 December. [...]

Higher recycling goal

According to the new benchmark agreed by negotiators, the EU will aim to recycle at least 25% of its annual consumption of strategic raw materials by 2030 – up from 15% in the Commission’s original proposal.

The recycling goal will be based on materials collected from consumer waste rather than the EU’s annual consumption, a change in the calculation method that will be expounded by the European Commission in an implementing act to be adopted in 2027. Meeting the target will not be a legally-binding obligation on EU countries, however. [...]

The new law will also ensure “the highest environmental and social standards,” he added in a statement, saying the Commission will now “work with EU members to identify strategic projects that will benefit from shorter and more efficient permitting procedures and easier access to finance”.