Research on how countries frame critical raw materials can open discussions about trade-offs in national and international politics

Lisa Dellmuth and her colleagues explore critical raw materials through a policy and governance lens. They have recently led a mapping of the International Energy Agency’s database of more than a hundred national and international policies concerning critical raw materials.

A woman, Lisa Dellmuth. Photo. — Lisa Dellmuth emphasises how an exploration of how countries frame critical raw materials can support an open discussion about trade-offs in national and international politics and support legitimacy for different choices.

In their work, they have identified how countries frame access to critical raw materials from different perspectives such national security, environmental considerations, economy and human rights. The work was conducted together with Gunilla Reischl and her colleagues.

Using National Security as Justification for Policy Making

“Interestingly, non-producing countries in the West are increasingly using national security as a justification for their policy making. In contrast, mineral producing countries such as Canada and Australia, are to a greater degree concerned with environmental impacts, which is not surprising,” says Lisa Dellmuth, Professor of International Relations at Stockholm University, and leader of work package four in the programme.

Few policies incorporated a human rights perspective on critical raw materials; indicating how this framing is not high on the political agenda for most countries.

“Identifying what considerations are brought to the fore in national and global policies is important to be able to understand countries’ positions on critical raw materials in the international arena,” emphasises Lisa Dellmuth.

“If we know how countries frame this issue, and what relative weight they give to different perspectives, we can open a discussion about trade-offs in national and international politics, which can support legitimacy for different choices, such as opening a new mine for example.”

She adds:

“It further creates a space for evidence-based policy making; policy making that is based on a consideration between trade-offs; that can balance for example questions of security, the environment and human rights in a better way.”

Need to put ideological differences aside

She notes how mining in particular is an area where political parties should strive to put ideological differences aside to compromise on a clear, long-term strategy – given the importance of critical raw materials for the energy transition and for national security.

In the future, she believes that it will be increasingly important for countries to form alliances and build strategies at the supra-national level, for example within the EU or among the NATO countries. Together these organisations can push for stability and longevity in trade alliances and help protect and develop supply chains.

“The political reality is that we will have more demand for minerals; it is no longer sufficient to operate only on the national level. The EU can for example form strategic alliances with producing countries, to ensure access for all of its member countries. The EU can also drive legislation on more sustainable work practices.”

Working on such a societally relevant topic is rewarding she says.

“Being able to contribute with systematic knowledge on trade-offs and framing around critical raw materials is exciting, especially as mining activities have such huge impacts on energy access, the environment and security.”

Going forward, she and her colleagues will further explore the policy documents they have mapped in the database; with special focus on creating solutions for how to weigh different trade-offs against each other.

The research is a moving target

A woman, Matilda Petersson. Photo. — Matilda Petersson notes the need for a clear picture of countries’ intentions regarding the policy and governance of critical raw materials, to be able to move forward.

Matilda Petersson is a researcher at the Department of Economic History and  International Relations at Stockholm University. Within the Mistra Mineral Governance programme, she is part of leading the work on policy and governance of critical raw materials. Together with Lisa Dellmuth she has mapped the International Energy Agency’s database of national and international policies concerning critical raw materials.

The work is rewarding Matilda Petersson says:

“The research is very much a moving target, as we are trying to capture an evolving policy landscape. It is exciting but also challenging!”

Mapping out the current policy and governance landscape is an important starting point to be able to formulate policies on critical raw materials in the future according to Matilda Petersson.

“Without a clear picture of countries’ intentions regarding the policy and governance of critical raw materials, it is difficult to move forward. The explanatory work we are now doing lays the basis for how to better manage trade-offs between different goals.”