On May 9 and 10, 2023, ECLAC's Sustainable Development and Human Settlements Division held the event "Circular economy strategies in the integrated management of out of use batteries in electric vehicles" in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
This event took place within the framework of the activities of the MINSUS project (Regional Cooperation for the sustainable management of mining resources in the Andean countries). The actions of the EUROCLIMA+ project agreed with the government of Uruguay and the Inclusive, Sustainable and Smart Cities Project (ISSC) implemented by ECLAC under the framework of cooperation with BMZ/GIZ. The conference was opened by Fulvia Farinelli, Senior Coordination Officer of the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office in Argentina; José Javier Gómez, ECLAC Environmental Affairs Officer; and Nicolas Maennling, Senior Project Advisor, MINSUS-GIZ. The three speakers agreed that the circular economy can be a driver of transformative changes with equity and sustainability for the region.
The representatives of the 4 participating countries presented the actions, progress and challenges for their respective areas and ministries. It was highlighted that the circular economy generates productive transformation processes that, with the support of green investments, can improve the quality of life and open economic, social, and environmental opportunities. They also indicated that electric mobility could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For this, it is necessary to consider the use and reuse of valuable materials such as cobalt, copper, lithium, and other minerals to ensure that they are recycled in batteries containing lithium.
The invited specialists presented various aspects associated with the sustainable management of end-of-life batteries for electric vehicles and their technical and regulatory complexities. As a reference, the experience of the European Union in the regulation of end-of-life batteries was shown.
This event was attended by representatives of the governments of Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Uruguay from the Ministries of Environment and Energy.
The name of the document that presents some recommendations for the formulation of new regulations and policies on the integrated management of these batteries is Integrated management of end-of-life batteries of electric vehicles within the framework of a circular economy strategy.
About Euroclima
Euroclima is a program funded by the European Union and co-financed by the German federal government through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), as well as by the governments of France and Spain through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation.
The Program's mission is to reduce the impact of climate change and its effects in 33 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean by promoting mitigation, adaptation, resilience, climate investment and biodiversity. To this end, it is implemented according to the "Spirit of Team Europe" under the synergistic work of eight agencies: Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), AFD Group: Agence Française de Développement (AFD)/ Expertise France (EF), Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policy(FIIAPP), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).