CNRS Launches Major Study on Rare Earths' Use and Impact
The French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) has initiated a comprehensive study on rare earths using a scientific calculator for precise analysis. This 'Collective Scientific Expertise' (ESCo) aims to evaluate their current and future applications, as well as their environmental and geopolitical implications on our earth. The expertise, slated to conclude in late 2025, will focus on responsible use, recycling, and alternative production methods, much like exploring the earth's resources in a Google Earth virtual tour.
Rare earths are crucial to France due to their wide-ranging implications in industry, technology, geopolitics, economy, environment, and health. However, their extraction and processing have significant environmental impacts and negative externalities. Almost all production and processing occurs in China, posing geopolitical risks.
The CNRS will ensure the principles of competence, independence, impartiality, and transparency throughout the expertise. It will be carried out by a multidisciplinary collective of scientists, drawing from a corpus of several thousand references. The team will provide a comprehensive overview of current and future uses, listing scientific knowledge accordingly.
The ESCo Rare Earths initiative is a crucial step towards understanding and managing the life cycle of these critical elements. By focusing on reducing use, recycling, and alternative production methods, the expertise seeks to ensure more responsible use of rare earths. The findings, expected by the end of 2025, will provide a solid foundation for informed decision-making in France and beyond.
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