For a successful energy transition, the EU requires increasing amounts of critical raw materials. The auditors assessed measures to secure their supply, including import diversification, increased domestic production, and improved resource management. The analysis shows that the EU faces a range of challenges.
While legislation sets a strategic course, the targets lack sufficient justification. Import diversification has yet to yield tangible results, and bottlenecks are hindering the development of domestic production and recycling. Despite faster permitting processes, many strategic projects are expected to struggle to secure supply by 2030.
The European Court of Auditors has issued recommendations to the European Commission: strengthen the foundations of the EU’s raw materials policy, ensure that diversification efforts effectively improve supply security, address financial bottlenecks, make better use of sustainable resource management, and increase the added value of strategic projects.