EEA publishes report on raw material extraction and processing

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published a report on raw material extraction and processing, which assesses the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the extraction and processing of key raw materials consumed in Europe. The selected eight raw materials include: 

• copper 
• iron 
• gold 
• limestone and gypsum 
• bauxite and aluminium 
• timber 
• chemical and fertiliser minerals 
• salt

Examples of climate-friendly sourcing options include adopting a life cycle approach to allow better accounting and monitoring of climate-related impacts associated with raw material supply chains, promoting resource- and energy-efficient practices, promoting use of renewable energy sources during extraction and processing of raw materials, strengthening market demand for secondary raw materials and using international frameworks for increasing transparency and cooperation along the raw material supply chains.

Source: EEA, 30 August 2021