The connection between renewables and the circular economy is visible at the beginning of the energy value chain, including the extraction of resources. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), a zero carbon future by 2040 will lead to a 20-40 times bigger demand for essential materials like cobalt, and lithium. Mining these materials is labour and resource-intensive, and has an undeniable environmental impact. Circular economy principles, such as recycling and reusing, would make it possible to recover 60 million tonnes of the mentioned materials, and make the deployment of renewable energy infrastructures more effective and less damaging. However, the contribution of circular economy doesn't stop here: as a matter of fact, it can also be an accelerator for other crucial processes: It can create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and drive innovation, while also helping to ensure energy security, reducing dependence on importations, and providing a more equitable distribution of resources.
