What does the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Regulation mean for people and forests?

• increase European capacity to provide the following annual proportions of EU consumption: 10% from In the future, the Regulation aims to lessen the the extraction of raw materials, 40% from processing environmental footprint of CRM production. [...] One of the CRMR’s key measures is to facilitate the The list of SRMs that the CRMR applies to are defined as implementation of strategic projects – for extraction, those of high strategic importance for the EU’s green, processing or recycling of SRM – both within the EU digital, defence and aerospace industries, where there and beyond. [...] In addition, the limits of certification as a in a timely manner – the process to identify them means of guaranteeing sustainability are well known, as should be ‘light and not overly burdensome’ for the are the risks to communities and Indigenous Peoples if Commission. [...] the CRMR gives to supply security.18 The EU’s focus on FTAs to secure supply from third countries also Due to the already worrying mining laws that are risks not giving environmental and social issues not paying enough attention to the outrageous adequate attention.19 environmental and social impacts of mining, and the tangible concerns about the way that EU environmental There is a real risk that. [...] In risks to forests and forest peoples: addition, for extraction projects outside the EU, a plan will be needed for the restoration of the extraction The selection and monitoring of site.