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, was 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 explored new ideas for establishing sustainable supply chains that can be insulated against the prospect of geopolitical shocks.
The conference organizer produced a policy paper based on the two days of discussion, which took place under Chatham House rules.
Monday, 13 October 2025
Day 1: Convergences and Divergences in the Geopolitical Landscape of ET-CRMs
08:30 Pastries and coffee
09:00-09:15 Opening Remarks by Misha Glenny and Julie Klinger
09:15-10:30 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
10:30-12:00 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
13:00-14:15 Polar Positions
Panelists:
Naja Dyrendom Graugaard (University of Copenhagen)
Mark Nuttall (University of Alberta)
Gertrude Saxinger (University of Graz)
Moderator: Julie Klinger
14:15-14:30 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
09:15-10:45 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
12:30-14:00 Lunch
14:00-15:15 Ukraine’s Critical Minerals
Panelists:
Artem Gergun (The Wilson Center)
Rob Muggah (Igarapé Institute)
Karin Küblböck (ÖFSE, Vienna)
Moderator: Misha Glenny
15:15-15:30 Coffee break
15:30-16:30 Final discussion
