Transition écologique : vers un épuisement des ressources naturelles ?

They are essential to all low-carbon technologies such as electric vehicles (cobalt, copper, lithium, nickel, rare earths, etc.), wind power (aluminum, copper, nickel, etc.), solar power (aluminum, silver, copper, silicon, etc.) or hydrogen (nickel, palladium, platinum, etc.). They are metals! And in the face of the climate emergency and the necessary decarbonization of the global energy mix, demand for metals is likely to increase, creating new economic and geopolitical dependencies. This context raises many questions: Will we have enough metals? Will mines be reopened in France? At what economic and environmental costs?

Emmanuel HACHEis a Scientific Assistant and Economist-Foresight Specialist at IFP Énergies nouvelles and a Research Director at IRIS. A Doctor of Economic Sciences, he also holds a degree in Geopolitics and Foresight from the Institute of International and Strategic Relations (IRIS). His research focuses on energy foresight and on issues of natural resources for the ecological transition. He is the author of the book Géopolitique des énergies published by Editions Eyrolles in September 2022 and Métaux, le nouveau or noir published by Editions du Rocher in September 2023 and of more than eighty articles in French and international academic journals.