Critical raw materials

Articles

Photo: Night protest in a Serbian city, large crowd fills the street, many hold up phones with flashlights, one sign reads "Don't lie to my grandma!" in Serbian Cyrillic.

How Brussels risks undermining Serbia’s democratisation potential

Published: 2 April 2025

While Brussels may see the Jadar lithium mining project as a strategic step toward a greener future, Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić sees it as a tactical tool to reinforce his grip on power - just as hundreds of thousands rise to reclaim democracy.

Bojan Elek

Mining lithium, undermining a democratic future: EU deal takes Serbia further from Europe

Published: 30 September 2024

Analysis

The lithium deal brings a new quality to Serbia’s foreign policy zigzagging. At one stroke, Serbia became a strategic partner and the guarantor for the future of the European Green Deal.

Dr. Vedran Dzihic

Cursed Treasures: The global hunger for raw materials and its consequences for people and the environment

Published: 2 November 2023

Böll.Thema

In this edition of the Böll.Thema magazine, we aim to deliver insights into emerging trends in resource extraction, associated challenges, and, most importantly, the prospects for transformation.

Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung

Peat: peatlands' raw materials

Published: 11 September 2023

Peatland Atlas 2023

Peat consists of dead organic matter accumulated over thousands of years. Since centuries, peat soils have been exploited to obtain fuel or raw material for growing media. Peat extraction and use is harmful to the environment. Sustainable alternatives will only prevail if politicians act.

Greta Gaudig , Olivier Hirschler

Trade in Raw Materials Between the EU and Latin America

Published: 21 January 2015

In March 2014, parliamentarians from the Euro-Latin America Parliamentary Assembly (EuroLat) voted in favour of a resolution on “Trade in raw materials between the European Union and Latin America”. The resolution stresses that a transition towards a different model is needed and suggests several practical steps to improve the current situation.

Johanna Sydow

Is the Raw Material Initiative in line with the EU Policy Coherence for Development?

Published: 3 December 2013

All around the world, mining has led to resettlements of the local population, drinking water contamination by cyanide spillages, large reduction of farmland, inadequate compensation paid by mining companies, and waste dumps near resettled villages result in health problems and the loss of traditional jobs such as agriculture and pastoral activities at the place of extraction.

Analysis of the EU Raw Materials Initiative

Published: 3 December 2013

On 2 February 2011, the European Commission presented an update to its Raw Materials Strategy from 2008. What are the practical implications of this European strategy, especially for resource rich developing countries around the world?

Raw Material Initiative 2011- Sustainable and Resource Efficient?

Published: 19 July 2011

The Raw Materials Initiative may represent a first step for Europe to less resource dependency, but the question arises as to whether it also appropriately addresses climate challenges and provides a basis for a resource efficient and responsible environmental policy.

More articles about Critical raw materials (9)

Publications

Circularity as a pillar of the EU's critical raw materials strategy

Published: 22 April 2026

E-paper

The EU has made circularity central to its critical raw materials strategy, with the Clean Industrial Deal and forthcoming Circular Economy Act as key instruments. Four policy pillars show real ambition — but blind spots persist: recycling faces structural limits, international partnerships remain underdeveloped, and export restrictions risk a "circular divide" between wealthy and developing economies. Our new e-paper by Cláudia Azevedo analyses what the EU is getting right, and where it must go further.

Cláudia Azevedo

The raw materials situation in neighbouring European countries

Published: 24 July 2024

E-paper

Critical raw materials and rare earths are of great economic importance for the European Union. This publication reflects the raw materials situation in four neighboring European countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Georgia, and Armenia.

Transatlantic Strategy on Critical Raw Materials

Published: 6 March 2024

Brief

Jacob Mardell compares the US and EU strategies to ensure access to raw materials necessary for the green transition in the face of global competition and shows how these should be based on genuine and inclusive partnerships rather than just economic interests.

Jacob Mardell

More pages about Critical raw materials

Argentinian civil society visit to Brussels, 14-18 October 2024

Published: 7 October 2024

Dossier

Since Javier Milei became President, Argentina's political landscape has experienced a profound shift. A self-proclaimed libertarian and populist, Milei has challenged traditional political norms, raising concerns about democratic backsliding and human rights. His administration’s pivot away from international commitments, such as the 2030 Agenda, and its focus on deregulation and extractivist industries, have set Argentina on a new trajectory. With rising state control, restrictions on civil liberties, and increased mass surveillance, many are questioning the future of Argentina's democracy and its relationships with global partners. Three civil society representatives will visit Brussels on 14-18 October 2024, to present the impact of Milei's administration on democracy, human rights, digital rights, environmental protection and economic and social rights.

Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union | Global Dialogue, Beatriz Busaniche, Cecilia Ales, Ariel Slipak

© Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung e.V.
Schumannstraße 8
10117 Berlin
T +49 (30) 285 34-0
F +49 (30) 285 34-109
www.boell.de
info@boell.de