Critical minerals for energy transition: The emerging regime complex

Abstract

In order to meet decarbonisation and net zero goals, the energy transition will play an instrumental role. However, energy transition technologies are raw material intensive and depend on a secure and reliable supply of critical minerals. Over the last few years, the international regime for energy transition and critical minerals have undergone changes. This paper studies the international institutional framework governing critical minerals for energy transition (CMET). There is no single regime that is equipped to address the various facets of CMET. Therefore, the paper describes the existence of regime complex and key features that characterise the regime complex as it unfolds in this new area of study. Since there is a growing interest from institutions from different regimes, there is a great potential for cooperation, mutual learning amongst policy makers and further academic research in the regime complex of CMET.