📋 Tender Overview
The Minister for the Environment Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan addressed a gathering of representatives of the Geological Surveys of Europe EuroGeoSurveys at the Ashling Hotel in Dublin today Wednesday 22 March. The members of 37 Geological Surveys are in Dublin to discuss critical raw materials CRMs the energy transition and the digital transition. The three-day event will culminate in the signing of the Dublin Declaration a commitment to support the development of EU policy through participation in the Geological Service for Europe project. The event was hosted by Geological Survey Ireland a division of the Department of the Environment Climate and Communications.The cumulative metal and material demand predicted for the decarbonisation of Irelands energy and transport sectors necessary in solar panels batteries as set out in the Climate Action Plan includes 68000 tonnes of copper 67000 tonnes of zinc 5000 tonnes of lithium as well as almost 4 million tonnes of concrete and 1.6 million tonnes of steel. This forecast is contained in a report on the natural resources required to meet the Climate Action Plans commitments Green Metals Demand Arising from Decarbonisation of Energy and Transport Sectors recently released by Geological Survey Ireland and the Geoscience Policy Division of the Department of the Environment Climate and Communications.Speaking at the event Minister Ryan saidIn every strategic project we have to undertake whether thats in transport renewables or geothermal heat we have to ensure that we have access to the precious rare earth minerals and resources we need. This will require global and just collaboration and cooperation on climate and energy. However its not just about the continued use of precious rare earth metals. Its also about the use of recycled rare earth resources through the circular economy so that we use what is precious wisely. We have to upscale our capability in this area quickly and it is the crucial job of geological survey organisations to provide the baseline data the information as well as the materials we need to show us how we can do that sustainably and effectively.Meeting the need for rare earth metals in Ireland and the equivalent needs in Europe and globally will require efficient and sustainable management of earth resources. The Geological Surveys of Europe including Geological Survey Ireland are the providers of data and knowledge of the subsurface and provide advice for national and EU policy on the supply of critical minerals necessary for green energy technologies the source and protection of groundwater necessary for drinking water agriculture and flooding mitigation and mapping of the subsurface to de-risk sustainable urban development as well as for geothermal development. The Geological Service for Europe project GSEU is a 24 million Horizon Europe five-year project to support collaborative projects across the Geological Surveys of Europe. In signing the Dublin Declaration the Geological Surveys of Europe representatives will commit to the mission and vision of the Geological Service of Europe.
