Access to rare metals is crucial for the success of the energy transition. Recycling of these metals represents the missing link in the European Green Deal - environmentally friendly and free of resource limitations. The Center for European Policy (cep) has examined the recycling potential of permanent magnets used in wind power and e-mobility. The result: obstacles still outweigh the benefits.

Cobalt, lithium, rare earths: When it comes to critical raw materials, Europe wants to reduce its dependence on supplier countries like China. The Centre for European Policy (cep) praises the Commission for wanting to improve security of supply. However, its current proposal is too bureaucratic and anti-business.

Europe is to become climate neutral. However, massive economic efforts are needed to achieve this technology transfer. The Centres for European Policy Network (cep) has studied a sample of 105 start-ups in the field of clean technologies. The result: a lack of venture capital and excessive bureaucracy stand in the way of green transformation in Germany, France and Italy.

European family businesses are groaning under bureaucratic burdens that leads to inefficiencies - first, by the requirements of the European Union itself and second, by the impractical implementation and operation on the national level. Moreover, different rules in individual member states complicate the process.

The EU is under pressure both geopolitically and in terms of its industrial policy, and is in danger of being left behind by the USA and China. Last week, therefore, the Commission presented three draft laws and a communication which aim to strengthen European sovereignty, competitiveness and resilience. The Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) finds the proposals fragmented and overly bureaucratic.

Rare earths, renewable energies, knowledge: In the global competition for secure supply chains, critical resources are increasingly coming into focus. The Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) recommends that the European Union establishes strategic partnerships with resource-rich third countries. This is preferable compared to subsidy-based policies like the U.S. IRA, which distort global trade.

Well intended, not well done: The European Union wants to oblige companies to protect human rights and the environment in the EU and third countries - from raw materials to products and their disposal, throughout the entire value chain. The Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) criticises the Commission's draft directive as too vague.