German industry is the world's fifth largest importer of metals. 99% The metals and minerals used are imported. This hunger for raw materials leads to massive human rights violations and environmental destruction and contributes significantly to the climate crisis. The economic upswing following the coronavirus pandemic and the upcoming economic stimulus packages are an opportunity to initiate a turnaround in raw materials. Let's not let this opportunity pass unused!
An example: Instead of demands for a new scrapping premium, which would only fuel the consumption of raw materials, the transport and Thinking about the energy transition as a turnaround in raw materials. The automotive industry is already one of the main consumers of metallic raw materials. And the consumption of raw materials threatens to increase even further due to future technologies such as e-cars. Exploitative mining of raw materials requires a political shift the largest metal importing countries in the world.
The federal government has a duty here. It must absolutely reduce the consumption of raw materials, pass a supply chain law to protect miners in the Global South and build a circular economy.
In the publication “12 arguments for a turnaround in raw materials” we use visualizations, statistics and quotes to show why we urgently need a raw material transition and what it might look like. The publication was produced in close cooperation with MISEREOR, the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Germanwatch, NABU, INKOTA, the Christian Initiative Romero and the Forum Environment and Development.
