This policy brief is the result of ongoing collaboration between the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the Raw Materials Information System (RMIS), coordinated by the Joint Research Centre (JRC).
It explores the environmental impacts of material supply chain disruptions, mitigation strategies, and their relevance for EU policy.
Drawing on two recent EEA reports — one on nickel and rare earths (2024) and another on aluminium and lithium (2025), along with complementary data and insights from RMIS, the brief highlights how measures such as supply diversification, domestic refining, and recycling can reduce environmental risks and strengthen Europe’s strategic resilience.
These findings support EU efforts to secure essential resources for a sustainable green and digital transition.