The Vienna Convergence on the Energy Transition and Critical Raw Materials

Conferences and Workshops

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. 

Agenda

Monday, 13 October 2025
Day 1: Convergences and Divergences in the Geopolitical Landscape of ET-CRMs


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:
Isabel Hilton (China Dialogue, London)
Peter Klimek (Complexity Science Hub, Vienna)
Julie Klinger (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Moderator: Jost Wübbeke

10:15-10:30 Coffee break

10:30-12:00 Europe’s Lithium Challenge
Panelists:
Dragana Đorđević (University of Belgrade)
Pavel Kavina (Czech Geological Survey)
Holger Paulick (GeoSphere Austria)
Jann Weinand (Institute of Jülich Systems Analysis)
Moderator: Misha Glenny

12:00-13:00 Lunch

13:00-14:20 Polar Positions
Panelists:
Naja Dyrendom Graugaard (University of Copenhagen)
Mark Nuttall (University of Alberta)
Gertrude Saxinger (University of Graz)
Moderator: Julie Klinger

14:20-14:30 Coffee break

14:30-16:00 Producer Country Strategies
Panelists:
Sayyidatiihayaa Afra (Satya Bumi, Jakarta)
Felix Dorn (BOKU University, Vienna)
Simon Glancy (Strategic Solutions, Tashkent)
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:
Joan Marc Simon (Zero Waste Europe)
Michael Tost (Technical University of Leoben)
John Uponi (University of Delaware)
Moderator: Julie Klinger

10:45-11:00 Coffee break

11:00-12:30 Possible Pathways Forward, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
Panelists:
Casper Herler (Borenius, Environmental Law, Helsinki)
Julie Klinger (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Holger Paulick (GeoSphere Austria)
Moderator: Misha Glenny

12:00-13:00 Lunch

14:00-15:15 Ukraine’s Critical Minerals
Panelists:
Artem Gergun (The Wilson Center)
Karin Küblböck (ÖFSE, Vienna)
Moderator: Misha Glenny

15:15-15:30 Coffee break

15:30-16:30 Final discussion

 

Partnership

Organized in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin-Madison