The global shift toward energy transition and digitisation is reshaping industries and economies at an unprecedented pace. At the heart of this transformation lies an often-overlooked factor: critical metals. From powering renewable energy technologies like solar panels and wind turbines to fueling the digital revolution through electric vehicles, smart grids, smartphones, and data centers, these metals—such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements—are essential. As demand for cleaner energy and advanced technology surges, so does our reliance on these finite resources, making the race for critical metals a crucial aspect of the future economy and sustainability efforts.
• But given the pace of the energy transition, how prepared is the supply chain to handle potential bottlenecks?
• How sustainable are current mining practices for critical metals?
• What measures are being taken to ensure long-term access to critical metals in a way that aligns with global sustainability goals?
• What are the risks for investors?
Join our conversation with a researcher at the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS) and an author of a renowned international bestseller - "The Rare Metals War - The Dark Side of Clean Energy and Digital Technologies" - Guillaume Pitron—an award-winning journalist, documentary writer and director, with nearly thirty French and international awards to his name. Guillaume’s work has earned him invitations to speak at prestigious global institutions, including the IMF, European Commission, UNESCO, INSEAD, and the French Senate. He’s also a regular voice in international media outlets like Le Monde, the BBC, Bloomberg TV, The Financial Times, TDEx , and many others
Moderated by Dana Hanby, Managing Director, ESG Nexus