On May 17, 2023, the government submitted two letters from the Cabinet to the Parliament regarding carbon-neutral technology, also known as “net-zero technology,” and the promotion of access to critical raw materials.
On March 16, 2023, the European Commission unveiled two legislative proposals aimed at accelerating the green transition and strengthening the EU’s self-sufficiency. Technology that drives the green transition is at the forefront of global technological competition.
The purpose of the net-zero proposal is to ensure the rapid construction of additional manufacturing capacity for the technologies, devices, and components needed to produce climate-neutral affordable energy within the EU. The goal of the proposal is to establish a production capacity of 40 percent of the annual demand for net-zero technology in Europe by 2030. The Commission aims to achieve this goal by streamlining authorization processes, developing public procurement strategies, and promoting access to the necessary expertise.
The package on critical raw materials stems from Europe’s raw material dependency, which has not improved since the raw material initiative in 2008 and subsequent communications. Most recently, the pandemic and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine have exposed Europe’s vulnerability to disruptions in supply chains.
The intention of the proposal is to promote access to the critical raw materials needed by the EU and diversify supply chains. The measures proposed by the Commission will increase the production, processing, and recycling of these raw materials. The resilience of the industry will be enhanced through various proactive measures. The regulation concerning the promotion of access to critical raw materials includes provisions for the authorization process for projects related to these materials.