Policy

EIES’ research and policy programme develops actionable recommendations for EU and national policymakers, industry, financial institutions and defence leaders to improve energy infrastructure and supply chain security as well as strengthen Europe’s industrial and technological competitiveness. 

  • Control over critical raw material (CRM) supply chains directly impacts Europe's energy independence and technological leadership. About 60 to 95% of the EU’s CRM and rare earth elements, used across defence, energy, and strategic technology sectors, come from China, creating severe vulnerabilities for European industries. 

    EIES calls for 

    • Investing in European minerals and metals extraction, processing, and recycling projects;  

    • Developing concrete global alliances, mechanisms and third-country projects that support secure supply chains. 

  • Maintaining an advanced industrial base is crucial for innovation and reducing reliance on adversarial states like China, which produces 70–90% of the world’s battery components and around 90% of the world’s solar panels. 

    EIES calls for  

    • Prioritising and fast-tracking the manufacturing of strategic technologies and components that deliver economic prosperity and security; 

    • Promoting industrial cooperation and complementarity across Europe and global partners. 

  • Physical, cyber and hybrid attacks on Europe’s energy infrastructure threaten to destabilise Europe’s energy system. Modernising, hardening, and expanding energy infrastructure is essential to expedite the secure transmission of cheaper, domestically produced energy, and reduce Europe’s costly dependence on imported fuels.  

    EIES calls for 

    • Accelerating the deployment and upgrade of resilient energy generation and transportation infrastructure, particularly pan-European projects, and through electrification;  

    • Promoting intergovernmental, NATO-EU, and public-private collaboration in the face of growing physical, cyber, and technology risks. 

  • As a mostly fossil fuel-poor continent, Europe must diversify energy inputs and forge strong partnerships to ensure its energy security. Energy diplomacy and trade with like-minded countries are key to securing critical resources, advancing Europe's influence, and upholding high standards across supply chains. 

    EIES calls for  

    • Strengthening trade cooperation, energy and supply chain security with G7 members and other like-minded partners; 

    • Focusing the Global Gateway and Mineral Security Partnership on concrete energy and infrastructure projects that deliver benefits to host countries and Europe alike.