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Metals and decarbonisation: a geological perspective

Metals are fundamental to human existence. They perform a myriad of functions, including enabling the technologies needed to decarbonise the global economy such as low carbon energy generation and zero emission transport. However, humans use metals in vast quantities and their extraction and processing have profound environmental consequences, particularly in the emission of greenhouse gases. The Metals and Decarbonisation Science Briefing Paper summarises the current paradigm for global metal supply and demand, and sets out some of the barriers and opportunities that this presents to the transition to a more sustainable, low carbon economy.