Greenhouse gas impact related to minerals mining and processing

The energy sector is undergoing a significant transformation implementing new technologies to ensure sustainable production and supply of energy. In this shift, developing a sustainable supply chain of materials needed by green technologies by enhancing energy security and decreasing environmental impact is essential. One of the barriers to sustainable development is greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with elements needed by technologies used for energy transition. This paper examines GHG emissions of different technologies regarding the mining and processing of bulk and critical elements required for them. The significant contribution of mining and processing to total GHG emissions makes them especially noteworthy. To achieve this goal, the technological data from three main global scenarios were used, including net zero emission (NZE), announced pledge (AP), and stated policy (STEP) scenarios. A dynamic simulation model according to mass flow analysis principles was developed to predict material demand and their associated GHG emissions. Results show that the highest GHG emissions were associated with electric vehicles (EV) followed by solar cells, transmission, heat pumps (HPs), and wind turbines. Also, Al, Cu, Si, and Ni have the biggest share of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-eq) emissions in different scenarios. It is found that GHG emissions associated with the extraction and processing of elements used by various technologies can be substantial (e.g., 5.3–10.8 gigatons (Gt) of CO_2-eq between 2022 and 2050). The novelty of this work consists in its comprehensive approach to the element demand for technologies in the energy generation, distribution, storage, and consumption sectors in several recent scenarios. The findings of this paper provide insights for manufacturing sectors, which are under continual global pressure to lower their carbon emissions, by identifying hotspots of GHG emissions within element supply chains. The research guides policymakers in analyzing the role of global manufacturing supply chains and preventing significant underestimations due to fast technological change forced by the renewable energy transition. The results aim to make better decisions about element sourcing, improving the effectiveness of the existing manufacturing systems, and implementing more efficient decarbonization strategies that can help reduce environmental impact and create a more sustainable landscape.