IOM3 publishes policy priorities for the next UK Government
Ahead of the UK’s general election, IOM3 has set out five priorities for the next government to secure a proper focus and strategic approach to materials, minerals and mining.
The nation’s largest political parties have published their manifestos setting out their key pledges ahead of the UK’s general election on 4 July. Whilst there are a number of welcome commitments across the parties, there remains a lack of focus and strategic approach to sustainable sourcing, use and management of the materials and minerals that underpin our economy, our every day lives and the low-carbon transition.
IOM3 CEO Dr Colin Church FIMMM CEnv, says, ‘From our homes and transport systems to healthcare and how we communicate, materials and minerals are critical building blocks of modern society. They are essential for a range of industries and technologies from automotive and aerospace, to renewable energy, construction and defence.
A proper focus and strategic approach to materials, minerals and mining is therefore vital to the UK’s economic, social and environmental development including competitiveness, national security and reaching net-zero.'
IOM3 has identified five priorities, supported by key recommendations, calling on the next UK government to:
- Establish and implement a UK Materials Strategy: a comprehensive, cross-government, cross-economy strategic approach to sustainable use and management of materials covering the full life cycle to ensure supply chain resilience, secure access to the materials and minerals required for modern society and to deliver net-zero.
- Advance the transition to a resource efficient and resilient society: embedding resource efficiency and productivity across government policy, driving the transition to a more circular economy where materials are kept in circulation at their highest value for as long as possible, building resource and energy security and reducing environmental impacts.
- Bolster the UK’s approach to critical materials: developing a better understanding of critical material flows and building responsible supply chains through domestic capability and collaboration with international partners driving resilience vital for UK industry, energy and national security and delivering the low-carbon transition.
- Support energy intensive industries to decarbonise: advancing the low-carbon and resource efficient transition and ensuring a competitive and viable future for manufacturing industries in the UK.
- Deliver a plan for skills and workforce development: across materials, minerals and mining including updating perceptions and advancing equity, diversity and inclusion to address the current and future gaps and minimise the risks posed to the UK economy.
Read the full policy briefing below.
