Brussels, 24.11.2021. On the occasion of the vote on the "European Strategy for Critical Raw Materials", MEP Manuela Ripa (ÖDP) emphasized the importance of circular economy and sustainability in the value chain. She criticized the attitude of most political groups in the European Parliament, which have allowed mining activities in protected areas and voted against sustainability criteria in the trade of these raw materials. 

The demand for critical raw materials will increase significantly in the coming years. This development will be driven by technologies for the green transition as well as sectors such as digitalization, defence and aerospace.
In view of the scarcity of certain elements such as lithium and cobalt, the European Parliament has launched an own-initiative report calling for a strategy for these raw materials.

International trade has a special role to play, as up to 99% of some critical raw materials have to be imported. As shadow rapporteur for the opinion on the report in the Trade Committee, Manuela Ripa is therefore particularly committed to sustainability in the value chain: "We must not allow our hunger for raw materials to destroy nature in the EU and in other countries. We therefore need sustainability requirements in the form of strict social and environmental standards in the extraction and processing of raw materials as a prerequisite for trade. Unfortunately, a majority of the EPP, ECR, ID and many in the Renew and S&D groups voted against this for purely economic reasons. In doing so, we are allowing environmental destruction and human rights violations in the value chains!"

The report also contains several calls for a more circular economy and sensible use of existing resources. "We need to move away from the linear exploitation of our planet and towards a circular economy. Recycling is important here, but it can only be the last step. Before that, we need to prevent wasting resources by making products repairable and durable. We need to use these resources more sustainably." Ripa clarifies the core of her strategy: "In future, we can no longer simply accept waste as a given. We can actually no longer afford waste!"

The Green Group was unable to win a majority in the EU Parliament with its amendments and was ultimately unable to approve the paper. However, as the report gave local authorities a greater say in the approval of mining projects and incorporated a stronger circular economy, the group abstained.