Support research and development institutions and projects​

Many of the actions in the Pathfinders blueprint focus on mass deployment and commercialization of low-carbon technologies. But before this can happen, these climate solutions must be developed, tested and proved useful, impactful and safe. Governments therefore have a key role to play in supporting research and development institutions and projects. This could mean providing grants and low-interest loans to companies, think tanks, universities and other organizations. Alternatively, policymakers can set up dedicated research working groups within the government body or provide ongoing R&D programs for specified sectors.

Reaching net zero will see demand for energy transition metals exceed 240 million metric tons annually by 2050. However, supply will struggle to meet the surging demand without new discoveries, higher capital deployment, technical advancements and growing recycling rates. The current production of several energy transition metals is also heavily concentrated by region and/or by company, meaning there are high degrees of supply-chain risk across the entirety of their value chains.