On 4 November 2008, the European Commission adopted a Communication on how to best approach the EU’s dependence and use of raw materials. 

Raw materials are essential for the sustainable functioning of societies and the EU is highly dependent on imports from countries who are becoming more and more protectionist. 

Regarding construction materials, the Communication states the EU is self-sufficient, in particular aggregates, and is a major world producer of gypsum and natural stone. 

Although some EU Member States are pursuing specific policies, there has been no integrated policy response at EU level up to now to ensure that it has sufficient access to raw materials at fair and undistorted prices. The Commission therefore proposes that the EU should agree on an integrated raw materials strategy. Such a strategy should be based on the 3 pillars:

• Ensure access to raw materials from international markets under the same conditions as other industrial competitors;
• Set the right framework conditions within the EU in order to foster sustainable supply of raw materials from European sources; and,
• Boost overall resource efficiency and promote recycling to reduce the EU’s consumption of primary raw materials and decrease the relative import dependence.

Regarding European sources from raw materials, the Commission stresses that there is no absolute exclusion of extractive operations within the Natura 2000 legal framework, and that guidelines will have to be developed in order to clarify how extraction activities in or near Natura 200 sites can be reconciled with environmental protection. 

The knowledge base of mineral deposits within the EU also needs improving. The Commission therefore recommends that the national geological surveys become more actively involved in land use planning within Member States. Also, better networking between the national geological surveys is needed to facilitate the exchange of information and to improve the interoperability of data and their dissemination. 

The Commission, in conjunction with Member States, will look into developing a medium to long term strategy for integrating sub-surface components into the Land service of Kopernikus (formerly GMES, the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) which can feed into land-use planning and improve its quality. 

The Communciation is available for download at the right-hand side of the screen. Page 13 sets out the components of the ‘Raw Materials Initiative’. The Commission will report on its implementation by the end of 2010. 

For more information, please contact Sander Scheurwater at sscheurwater@rics.org