Renewable energies – a positive environmental balance despite an increased need for mineral resources
Are renewable energies really sustainable? An international study by the International Resource Panel (IRP) has analyzed their impacts for different environmental indicators over their entire life cycle, from the extraction of materials and fuels, the construction of the plants, their operation, and their end of life.
They appear to be better for climate change … in most cases.
They are also better for human health and ecosystems, but they increase the need for non-renewable resources (copper, iron, etc.) …
The projected scenarios assess the sustainability of these needs. Read more in this article. See also the two IRP reports on the subject.
Member of the European PEF (Product Environmental Footprint) Technical Advisory Board.
Member of the French ADEME environmental labelling working group.
