Fourth Clean Transition Dialogue to discuss how to enhance the critical raw materials sector in the EU

Brussels, 22 February 2024

Tomorrow (23 February), Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal Maroš Šefčovič will chair the fourth Clean Transition Dialogue dedicated to the importance of critical raw materials in the green transition.

This Dialogue will involve representatives from across the critical raw materials value chain, from production and processing to recycling and off-takers. Participants from NGOs and social partners, as well as financial institutions will also be present, including Nicola Beer, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank.

Executive Vice-President Šefčovič will discuss with the stakeholders the challenges and opportunities the sector faces in the context of the green transition. The participants will exchange in dedicated thematic sessions on boosting the production of primary critical raw materials in the EU, building fair and reliable partnerships with third countries and the production of recycled and high-quality secondary raw materials in Europe. The Commission will draw conclusions from these exchanges on the way forward to enhance the sector’s competitiveness.

Over the past years, the Commission has put strong emphasis on enhancing the critical raw materials value chain, as it pursues the twin digital and green transitions. Notably, last year the EU adopted the Critical Raw Materials Act which will help build the EU’s capacities, reduce dependencies from external suppliers and promote resilience, sustainability and circularity across supply chains.

Launched by the Commission President in her 2023 annual State of the European Union speech, the Clean Transition Dialogues are a framework within which the Commission will partner with industry to implement the European Green Deal. The first two dialogues took place last year with a focus on hydrogen and energy-intensives industries, and the third one regarding clean tech is taking place today, in the presence of President von der Leyen and Executive Vice-President Šefčovič.