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Materials Sourcing & Efficiency

Materials Sourcing & Efficiency focuses on reducing raw material use and integrating social, ethical, and environmental considerations into sourcing decisions. By enhancing supply chain transparency and promoting circularity, it mitigates risks and fosters long-term value creation.

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Chokepoints in global supply chains: Lessons from rare earths and hard disk drives

Bank for International Settlements
This report examines global supply chain vulnerabilities through the contrasting cases of rare earth elements and hard disk drive production. It distinguishes between persistent structural chokepoints and temporary disruptions, noting that resilience measures, including diversifying processing capacity or maintaining inventories, must align with the specific nature of the risk.
Research
26 October 2026

Buildings efficiency: Special report

International Energy Agency (IEA)
This IEA report details a pathway to reduce buildings' energy intensity by 25% by 2035. It identifies equipment efficiency, building envelopes, electrification, and clean cooking as primary levers. To succeed, annual investment must triple to USD 1.2 trillion and efficiency progress must more than double from current rates.
Research
3 November 2026

Circular economy finance guidelines: Textile sector

United Nations Environment Programme
These guidelines provide financial institutions with a three-step methodology to classify circular economy activities in the textile sector. The framework distinguishes systemic circularity from linear efficiency, identifying market opportunities worth USD 700 billion by 2030. It supports transaction structuring, target setting, and regulatory reporting through rigorous environmental and social assessments.
Research
1 June 2026

Energy Efficiency Progress Tracker

International Energy Agency (IEA)
The Energy Efficiency Progress Tracker by the IEA monitors global energy intensity and efficiency trends. It provides data for finance professionals to track energy transition progress, assess sectoral energy use, and evaluate alignment with international sustainability goals.
Online tool/database
26 February 2024

Green Industry Platform

Green Growth Knowledge Partnership
The Green Industry Platform provides SMEs with technical knowledge and self-assessment tools, such as the I-GO Assistant, to enhance resource efficiency and implement net-zero measures. Managed by the GGKP, it offers sector-specific guidance, research, and circular economy insights for a sustainable industrial transition.
Resource hub

Sand and sustainability: An essential resource for nature and development

United Nations Environment Programme
This report identifies sand as the world's most consumed solid material, with 50 billion tonnes extracted annually. Valued at USD 569.4 billion in 2024, the market threatens biodiversity and ecosystems. The document provides 24 strategic recommendations to treat sand as a strategic national asset and improve environmental oversight.
Research
8 May 2026

Battery circularity: Innovation trends for a future source of critical materials

International Energy Agency (IEA)
This report examines global innovation trends in battery circularity and critical metal refining. It highlights a surge in patenting activity since 2017, led by Asian companies. The analysis covers policy drivers, recycling technologies, and the role of secondary supplies in enhancing supply chain resilience and environmental sustainability.
Research
1 April 2026

Critical minerals – The power factor in commodities

DWS Group
This report explores critical minerals as a structural theme rather than a cyclical trend. It highlights that bottlenecks in downstream processing and high geographic concentration, particularly in China, create strategic vulnerabilities. For investors, value-chain-based assessments are prioritised over short-term price movements to navigate this lasting global economic transformation.
Research
28 May 2026

Rare earth elements: Pathways to secure and diversified supply chains

International Energy Agency (IEA)
This International Energy Agency report assesses global rare earth supply chains and vulnerabilities. It highlights China's dominance, the USD 6.5 trillion economic risk from potential disruptions, and provides eight strategic recommendations to achieve secure, diversified, and resilient supply through international coordination, increased investment, and innovation in recycling and demand-side technologies.
Research
4 May 2026

India’s critical mineral imports in 2025 and a shift towards supply diversification

Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA)
This report examines India’s dependence on critical mineral imports for its clean energy transition. It analyses trade dynamics for cobalt, copper, graphite, lithium, and nickel, highlighting a strategic shift towards supply diversification. Significant risks arise from geographical concentration, prompting India to seek resilient partnerships with various global suppliers.
Research
30 April 2026

Estimating the date of Earth Overshoot Day 2026

Global Footprint Network identifies Earth Overshoot Day 2026 as 30 July. While the date appears later than in 2025, underlying ecological overshoot is at record levels. The report details nowcasting methodologies using proxy data to overcome UN data lags and highlights significant updates to carbon and trade accounting.
Research
29 May 2026

Circular economy practice in India: Three case studies

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
This report examines India’s transition to a circular economy, highlighting policy frameworks like Extended Producer Responsibility and NITI Aayog’s strategic focus areas. Through case studies of Siemens, Tata Steel, and Volvo Construction Equipment, it demonstrates how circular principles drive resource efficiency, waste reduction, and business value.
Research
26 December 2025

Raw power: China locks-in global dominance of critical minerals and metals with $120bn outbound investment surge

Climate Energy Finance (CEF)
This report details China's structural "Going Global" strategy, tracking over US$120 billion in outbound investment since 2023 to secure critical mineral supply chains. It examines China's refining dominance and provides strategic recommendations for Australian policymakers to build domestic value-adding capacity in the zero-emissions economy.
Research
19 March 2026

Smarter, leaner, cleaner: Direct reduced iron and the future of American steel

Ceres
Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) is the most cost-effective new-build investment for the American steel sector. This analysis confirms that natural-gas-based DRI meets investment hurdles across all regions, offering a 15% real return and significant emissions reductions while providing flexibility for future hydrogen integration.
Research
7 August 2026

3D geological modelling of the Riddarhyttan Ore Field (Fe-Cu-Au-Co-Mo-REE)

Geological Survey of Sweden
This report details 3D geological modelling of the Riddarhyttan Ore Field, identifying significant iron, copper, and rare earth element mineralisations. Characterising complex deformation patterns, the research suggests orebodies extend below historical mining depths, indicating high potential for future resource extraction within the western Bergslagen region.
Research
26 March 2026

EU energy and raw materials mechanism platform

European Commission
EU Commission platform aggregating demand for critical raw materials to connect buyers, suppliers, and financial institutions across strategic sectors.
Online tool/database
13 April 2026
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