At a time of growing division, the world’s dependence on critical raw minerals continues to grow. Sustaining complex supply chains in an uncertain geopolitical environment is one of the greatest challenges the industry faces. The urgency to transition away from fossil fuels accounts for some of the demand for CRMs. More recently, the increase in high-tech weapons production has led to another surge in the scramble to secure supplies of critical materials.
The IWM, together with its partners from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is hosting a closed conference to examine how Europe, in particular, is managing the scramble for CRMs. With limited local resources and less developed networks, Europe is more vulnerable to disruption and crises than other regions. The conference will explore new ideas for establishing sustainable supply chains that can be insulated against the prospect of geopolitical shocks.
The conference organizer will produce a policy paper based on the two days of discussion, which will take place under Chatham House rules.
Monday, 13 October 2025
Day 1: Convergences and Divergences in the Geopolitical Landscape of ET-CRMsC
08:30 Pastries and coffee
09:00-09:10 Opening Remarks by Misha Glenny and Julie Klinger.
09:10-10:15 Building Renewable Energy Supply Chains in the Age of US-Sino Tensions
Panelists:
Peter Klimek (Complexity Science Hub, Vienna)
Julie Klinger (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Isabel Hilton (China Dialogue, London)
Moderator: Jost Wübbeke
10:15-10:30 Coffee break
10:30-12:00 Europe’s Lithium Challenge
Panelists:
Jann Weinand (Institute of Jülich Systems Analysis)
Pavel Kavina (Czech Geological Survey)
Dragana Đorđević (Environmental Chemistry and Engineering
Centre of Excellence, University of Belgrade)
Holger Paulick (GeoSphere Austria)
Moderator: Misha Glenny
12:00-13:00 Lunch
13:00-14:20 Polar Positions
Panelists:
Mark Nuttall (Greenland Climate Research Centre, University of Alberta)
Naja Dyrendom Graugaard (University of Copenhagen)
Gertrude Saxinger (University Granz)
Moderator: Julie Klinger
14:20-14:40 Coffee break
14:40-16:00 Ukraine’s Critical Minerals
Panelists:
Artem Gergun (The Wilson Center)
Karin Küblbick (ÖFSE, Vienna)
Moderator: Misha Glenny
16:30-18:00 Documentary Screening: Orsugiak – The White Gold of Greenland
Tuesday, 14 October 2025
Day 2: Charting the Present and Future Course for ET-CRM Policy and Practice
08:30 Pastries and coffee
09:00-09:15 Recap from Day 1 and Pivot to Day 2 with Misha Glenny and Julie Klinger.
09:20-10:45 Above Ground Resources: Recycling and Tailings
Panelists:
Michael Tost (Technical University of Leoben)
John Uponi (University of Delaware)
Joan Marc Simon (Zero Waste Europe)
Moderator: Julie Klinger
10:45-11:00 Coffee break
11:00-12:30 Possible Pathways Forward, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
Panelists:
Julie Klinger (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Casper Herler (Borenius, Environmental Law, Helsinki)
Holger Paulick (GeoSphere Austria)
Moderator: Misha Glenny
12:00-13:00 Lunch
14:00-15:15 Producer Country Strategies
Panelists:
Carlos Urenda (Consejo Mineral, Santiago)
Sayyidatiihayaa Afra (Satya Bumi, Jakarta)
Moderator: tbc
15:15-15:30 Coffee break
15:30-16:30 Final discussion
