182. Whilst it is promising to see a focus on net zero considerations in the Critical Minerals Strategy, stakeholders such as the Royal Academy of Engineering advised that a wider and more holistic understanding of critical supply chains for net zero is lacking.
"...There is an urgent need for a coordinated strategy that sets out the role of different materials in the net zero transition... A coordinated strategy would prioritise scarce materials that will be key to a successful net zero transition."- Royal Academy of Engineering157
183. We do not fully understand what the critical supply chains for net zero will look like. Stakeholders told the Review that there is insufficient clarity regarding which parts of the supply chains for net zero technologies and infrastructure will be housed within the UK, and therefore regarding what the demand for critical mineral importation will be (i.e., whether the UK will require critical minerals raw, or processed, or as part of a component etc.). Understanding the composition of supply chains is vital to understanding how the net zero transition will be materially delivered. Investing in and securing critical net zero supply chains now will send strong assurance to investors and consumers of guaranteed uninterrupted production of our net zero technologies between now, to 2050 and beyond.