Advancing responsible sourcing
in mineral value chains
Follow the recordings in case you have missed our exciting live programme:
Day 1 (November 8): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0Ql2UHpt_Y
Day 2 (November 9): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E5giz1r5m
To secure responsible sourcing in Europe is one of the main goals the EU set for 2050. But can the ambitious goal be achieved while geopolitical tensions are causing turmoil in Europe? Two project members presented the RE-SOURCING roadmaps for the renewable energy sector and the mobility sector, which outline clear visions and pathways for responsible sourcing until 2050. These presentations were then complemented by a panel discussion on the need for resilient and collaborative supply chains given the current geopolitical climate and the EU’s ambitions for responsible procurement and the green transition.
Speakers:
Panellists:
The second session put the spotlight on the alignment of EU and Latin American visions and importance of well-designed trade agreements to create lasting win-win situations between the demand (EU) and the supply (Latin America) side. Two input presentations were delivered, discussing responsible sourcing perspectives from the EU and Latin America respectively. The subsequent panel discussion focused on the challenging task of finding a common agenda between these trading partners, highlighting the significance of strong partnerships and coherent institutional approaches to responsible sourcing and sustainability.
Speakers
Panellists
As digital solutions continue to advance, including the utilization of blockchain technology, it is crucial to determine their effectiveness in promoting supply chain due diligence. Two input presentations discussed the high potential of blockchain, when applied correctly, to support supply chain due diligence and transparency, both from an institutional side as well as from a business perspective. The following panel discussion talked about the importance for businesses to properly identify which challenges could be solved by using a technological solution before implementing it, and gave the broader recommendations that the providers, enablers and users of this technology should always consider questions of interoperability.
Speakers
Panellists
The mining sector in resource-rich countries plays a crucial role in providing the necessary raw minerals for the green energy transition and is therefore subject to a plethora of EU regulations aimed at promoting sustainable extraction practices. The demands of the manufacturing countries are well known, but what is the reality for the mining sector on the ground? The final session of the conference looked at the question whether or not meeting our growing demand for minerals in a sustainable way is possible, or if these efforts are like chasing unicorns i.e. imaginary and unattainable. To provide some context there was an input presentation about the current situation on the supply side of several high importance minerals, which highlighted the projected supply and identified potential future supply risks. The panel discussion identified the need for the EU to increasingly support the demand side in their ambitions to implement and enforce responsible sourcing practices. Furthermore, the changes in people’s minds i.e. both consumers and managers, as well as investments being increasingly strongly tied to meeting certain sustainability requirements are two factors that will accelerate responsible sourcing around the world.
Speaker
Panellists
Conference moderator: Ursula Kopp (Vienna University of Economics and Business)
Welcome and opening note
Session moderator: Patrick Nadoll (EIT Raw Materials)
The past weeks and months have been marked by rising geopolitical tensions and economic challenges. Businesses and the general public are struggling with the effects of rising inflation and uncertainties. In global supply chains, it seems that sustainability criteria are therefore taking a back seat and supply security and costs once again becoming the primary concern. With global challenges such as climate change, it is crucial that sustainability issues are not side-lined in global supply chains. Nevertheless, the question arises as to whether, in view of these changes in the framework conditions, adjustments to the EU climate targets and the upcoming supply chain due diligence are to be expected, or whether these targets can be achieved at all.
The roadmaps of the RE-SOURCING project for the renewable energy and mobility sectors provide a tight schedule for the implementation of sustainability measures to mitigate climate change and achieve responsible supply chains.
In this session, our experts will discuss whether sustainability is being forced into a secondary role in global supply chains, whether achieving the visions of the roadmaps seems realistic at all, and what further consequences can be expected in the future.
Roadmap 2050 on Renewable Energy
Roadmap 2050 on Mobility
Panellists:
moderated by Patrick Nadoll (EIT Raw Materials)
Enjoy your break!
Session moderator: Emanuele DiFrancesco (World Resources Forum Association)
In recent years, mineral raw materials have become a high priority issue in the trading relationships between European and Latin American countries. On one hand, the EU relies on Latin America as a major trading partner to source base & critical minerals for the growth of key industrial sectors, such as renewable energy, e-mobility and digital innovation. On the other hand, mining is a fundamental sector for many Latin American economies, with a significant weight in exports and in attracting direct foreign investments. While there are clear mutual advantages behind this trading relationship, persisting differences between the two regions on the role of and vision for the mining industry, represents a challenge in achieving sustainable, resilient and secure supply chains.
In light of recent geopolitical developments that only intensify the search for both economic resilience and socio-ecological sustainability, a stronger collaboration between the EU and Latin America is highly needed. This calls for a deeper dialogue about perspectives and needs on both sides and how the relationship needs to evolve to become a true partnership for sustainable co-development.
Latin American perspective on responsible sourcing – What’s responsible in countries with high raw materials extraction?
European perspective on responsible sourcing – What’s expected of trading partners?
Panellists:
registered participants only
After a short closing remark on day 1, join this informal opportunity to exchange and network with conference participants and the RE-SOURCING project!
The exchange will not be recorded or streamed.
Conference moderator: Ursula Kopp (Vienna University of Econocmics and Business)
Session moderator: Alexander Graf (Vienna University of Economics and Business)
Companies are increasingly held accountable by regulators, workers and consoumers for their responsibility to minimize negative impact on people and the planet not only in their own operations but throughout their supply chains. They are pushed to collect and assess vast amounts of reliable information about raw material and product flows, supply chain actors, and their sustainability performance.
A variety of digital systems and platforms, especially based on concepts such as blockchain, material passports and digital twins, are emerging to offer solutions for automatizing and managing these information flows. They are aimed at scaling transparency in order to assess sustainability risks in the supply chain.
Where do these technologies stand at the moment and what to expect from them as a company?
How to best get started and what is required for their implementation?
Are they the solution to all your problems of supply chain due diligence – what else is needed for their complementation?
The Role of Emerging Technology to Support Sustainable Development in Supply Chains
Digital Solutions for Supply Chain Due Diligence – Some business perspectives
Panellists:
moderated by Alexander Graf (Vienna University of Economics and Business)
Enjoy your break!
Session moderator: Masuma Farooki (MineHutte)
The Responsible Sourcing (RS) landscape has concentrated heavily on identifying RS problems and challenges in the extractive sector and outlined several standards and guidelines to overcome these obstacles. The flipside of this coin is the economic, technical and managerial capacity of the extractive sector to meet these ESG standards, particularly at a time where metal demand projections suggest that more raw materials well be required to pave the green roadmaps for renewable energy and e-mobility sectors. This panel brings together industry experts to discuss the mineral supply equation and industry capacity to supply responsibly extracted minerals. The panel addresses how realistic the chances are for the global mining sector to responsibly supply the minerals for a green economy.
Efforts and Impact of Sustainability in the Mining Sector – Some Food for Thought
Panellists:
moderated by Masuma Farooki (MineHutte)
After a short closing remark of the live program, join this informal opportunity to exchange and network with conference participants and the RE-SOURCING project!
The exchange will not be recorded or streamed.
No matter whether you are a business manager, policy maker, researcher or civil society representative, let us know your question and reserve your own informal 30-minute slot with experts from the RE-SOURCING team that we select based on your needs. Fully confidential and free of charge!
No matter whether you are a business manager, policy maker, researcher or civil society representative, let us know your question and reserve your own informal 30-minute slot with experts from the RE-SOURCING team that we select based on your needs. Fully confidential and free of charge!
Join a selection of relevant projects in the sphere of Responsible Sourcing to network and learn from each other about the latest research, innovation and coordination activities in the EU’s Horizon programme and beyond.
Presenting projects and organisations:
For registered participants only.
