
Ms. Virginia Rodríguez
Senior Project Manager at the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain (IGME-CSIC)
Decarbonization and the development of new disruptive technologies depend, to a greater or lesser extent, on strategic materials that are not available within European geological resources. Therefore, it is essential to understand and protect supply chains in a geopolitically complex and changing world, while implementing circular economy schemes to ensure these resources remain in our economy for as long as possible.
Another challenge is the resistance to change from established industries and consumers accustomed to linear consumption. To overcome these obstacles, a combination of education, economic incentives, and regulatory support is crucial.