Norwegian batteries, critical raw materials, and the global South: opportunities and challenges

In the context of the climate crisis, a “green transition” is taking shape, based on the massive adoption of electric vehicles and renewable energies like wind and solar power, both of which rely heavily on battery technologies. Norwegian and European battery manufacturers are quickly ramping up production but require access to critical raw materials such as lithium, cobalt and nickel from across the globe, including from mining-intensive countries in the global South.

At the same time, many of these raw material producing countries want to move beyond mining towards value addition such as material refining and battery and electric vehicle production. “Green industrialization” would enable them to capture more economic and social value for their citizens and local communities, and to control and monitor the socio-environmental costs of mining more effectively, thus increasing the sustainability of the whole battery value chain.

Norway and Europe are well positioned to engage in equitable partnerships with these countries to increase supply chain security and sustainability at home, while contributing to sustainable development abroad. Yet, there remain several challenges for broad-based cooperation to realize a “green transition” at the same time as “green industrialization.”

In this event, brief presentations will be made by experts based in Norway, Europe, and global South extractive regions such as South America, Southern and Central Africa and Southeast Asia from the UiA-hosted global network BATJUST (Battery Justice Research Network). This is followed by a panel debate with Norwegian academics, industry actors and government representatives.

The debate will discuss the opportunities and challenges for North-South cooperation in global value chains, and practical actions that Norwegian businesses and government actors can take in this direction. Well-informed Norwegian citizen-consumers likewise play an important role, as Norway is a leading nation in electric vehicle adoption, battery and renewable energy production, and international cooperation. Welcome!