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Strategic materials in a shifting geopolitical landscape
Clean energy technologies depend on a reliable supply of critical minerals, from lithium and nickel to rare earth elements. These materials are essential for wind turbines, solar panels, EV batteries, hydrogen electrolysers, and digital infrastructure. As the world accelerates towards net zero, demand for these raw materials is surging, yet supply remains vulnerable, highly concentrated, and increasingly politicised.
In 2024, lithium demand alone grew by nearly 30%, but prices fell sharply due to overproduction. Meanwhile, over 80% of refined supply for many minerals is controlled by just three countries, and export controls are tightening. These developments raise key questions about strategic autonomy, security of supply, and how innovation, recycling, and policy can reshape the future.
In this course, we take a comprehensive look at the role of critical minerals in the energy transition. You will explore market dynamics, geopolitical risks, and innovative technologies, and learn how key regions, including Europe, the US and China, are designing policy responses.
This programme is essential for professionals working at the intersection of energy, industry, policy, and finance who need to understand how access to critical materials will shape the pace and direction of the energy transition.
How you benefit:
- Gain insight into which minerals are critical for clean energy technologies, and why.
- Understand the global forces behind supply and demand imbalances and price volatility.
- Learn how geopolitics and export restrictions affect security of supply.
- Explore policy strategies from the EU, US, China and beyond.
- Discover how innovation, recycling, and circular business models can help build resilience.
- Connect with international peers and experts.
Why Critical Minerals in the energy transition?
Without critical minerals, there is no energy transition. From lithium and cobalt to rare earths and graphite, these raw materials are indispensable for clean energy technologies like EV batteries, wind turbines, solar panels, and hydrogen production. Yet as demand surges, so do the strategic, economic, and political stakes.
This masterclass offers participants a strategic and realistic perspective on the global race for critical minerals. You will discover which materials are essential, why they are crucial to the energy system of tomorrow, and how their concentration impact national policy, innovation agendas and economic resilience.
We connect geopolitics, technology, and market intelligence into one coherent narrative, equipping you to make informed, future-proof decisions within your organisation or sector. Whether you’re in energy, policy, finance or industry, this programme will help you understand the structural shifts reshaping your landscape.
You will explore:
- Which minerals are most critical for clean energy systems, and who controls them?
- How global powers are reshaping industrial and foreign policy to secure supply.
- What technological innovations are emerging in extraction, recycling, and battery chemistry?
- How market volatility, export controls, and supply concentration influence investment decisions.
- The role of public policy in increasing resilience and enabling strategic autonomy.
In a rapidly shifting global context, critical minerals are no longer a niche concern. They are the backbone of the energy future and understanding them is essential for anyone shaping policy, strategy, or investment in the energy space.
What to expect during a masterclass
In addition to inspiring content and valuable connections, we ensure a seamless learning experience. After the session, you’ll receive a digital certificate of attendance, which you can easily add to your LinkedIn profile. Speaker presentations will be shared as reference material, making it easy to revisit what you’ve learned or share it with colleagues. Naturally, a well-catered lunch is included, along with healthy snacks throughout the day. Our event manager will be on site to ensure everything runs smoothly and to support you wherever needed.
Who should join?
This programme is designed for professionals seeking a strategic understanding of the material foundations of the energy transition. Whether you are responsible for supply chains, investment decisions, policy development or technology deployment, this course will provide the insights you need to navigate a fast-changing landscape. Specifically, the programme is interesting for:
- Professionals in the energy, mobility, and storage sectors
- Policy makers and government officials
- Procurement, supply chain and risk managers
- Investors and financial analysts
- Experts in mining, recycling, and materials innovation
No prior technical background in geology or mining is required. This course is built for decision-makers, strategists, and advisors looking to future-proof their knowledge and organisations in a resource-constrained world.
- Lecture 1 Tuesday 2 December 2025 08:30 - 17:30
- LocationDen Haag in Den Haag, The Netherlands
Bert Stuij (MSc.) is Senior Expert at our Business School and Manager National Programmes/Energy at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency RVO, a government institution. Stuij works on our programme development and education with a specific focus on energy transition. At RVO, Stuij is responsible for renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy innovation policy. In 2022 he takes part in the Expert Team Energy Systems 2050 of the ministry of Climate and Energy of the Dutch National Government. Previously Stuij worked in the private sector for Shell and at various semi-private institutions (Novem) and government agencies (SenterNovem, AgentschapNL).
Raphaël Danino-Perraud is a commissioned officer (with the rank of lieutenant-colonel) from the Operational Energy Service (SEO), working for the French Defence Staff. He also works as an independent consultant for diverse institutions and companies. Finally, he is a research fellow at the French Institute for International Relations (IFRI) but also a part-time lecturer at French engineering schools such as Centrale Supélec and École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées (ENPC).
Raphaël Danino-Perraud graduated from Sciences-Po Lyon (2012) with a degree in International Relations and in Business Intelligence. From 2016 to 2020, he performed a PhD in resource economics at the University of Orléans (LEO) and the French Geological Survey Bureau (BRGM).
Register
You can easily register online for this programme.
