Press release

Press release: New study shows: Reduction of raw materials in Germany is necessary and possible

An ironworks in front of a green landscape.

New study shows: Reduction of raw materials in Germany is necessary and possible

Berlin, 28.03.2024: Germany's industry consumes too many metallic raw materials at almost 80 million tonnes in 2022. In order to protect the climate and minimise environmental degradation and human rights violations, which occur again and again in metallic raw material supply chains, this consumption needs to be reduced.

In the coalition agreement, the Federal Government announced that it would reduce the consumption of metallic raw materials – but did not implement this promise. A new study by the Berlin-based NGO PowerShift now shows how the reduction of raw materials can be achieved and in which sectors massive savings must be implemented.

“The Traffic Light Coalition is the first German government to commit to reducing primary raw material consumption. This is significant in terms of human rights violations and environmental disasters in mining supply chains", emphasises Michael Reckordt, resource expert at PowerShift. “In the meantime, the pressure to act is enormous. Germany must finally use less metallic raw materials – for the climate, the environment, human rights and to become independent from countries such as China and Russia. As PowerShift, we call for a raw material transition that decisively implements the reduction of primary consumption.”

‘The ifeu Institut For PowerShift, has calculated the savings of metallic raw materials in different sectors. In the transport sector alone, almost 37 million tonnes of iron, aluminium, copper and nickel could be saved by 2050. In the construction sector, the savings potential is even up to 52 million tonnes over the same period", adds Maja Wilke, who is responsible for the study at PowerShift. “It is now important for the Federal Government to act swiftly and in a coordinated manner, e.g. within the framework of the National Circular Economy Strategy – but the Ministry of Transport and Building are also called upon to set the necessary course in their sectors.”

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