The World Ahead Globe Icon
The World Ahead | Commodities in 2024

Demand for “green” metals will redraw the global mining map

The energy transition will mint new fortunes in surprising places

Hands holding a green copper rich ore in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Image: Getty Images

By Matthieu Favas

A net-zero global economy, if it materialises, will not just be carbon-neutral. It will also consume far fewer raw materials. Going from here to there, however, will require a heap of them. In the next few decades, supplying them will create new fortunes.

This article appeared in the International section of the print edition of The World Ahead 2024 under the headline “Full metal jackpot”

More from The World Ahead

The World Ahead The World Ahead

The World Ahead 2024

Future-gazing analysis, predictions and speculation

The World Ahead The World Ahead

The World Ahead 2024

Future-gazing analysis, predictions and speculation


The World Ahead The World Ahead

The World Ahead 2024

Future-gazing analysis, predictions and speculation


The World Ahead The World Ahead

The World Ahead 2024

Future-gazing analysis, predictions and speculation

The World Ahead The World Ahead

The World Ahead 2024

Future-gazing analysis, predictions and speculation

The World Ahead The World Ahead

Introducing The World Ahead 2024

Future-gazing analysis, predictions and speculation