Sustainable Supply of Critical Metal Resources During Power Sector's Low-Carbon Transition: A Systematic Literature Review

Low-carbon transformation of the power sector is one of the key paths to achieve climate targets. However, large-scale deployment of new energy power generation technologies would significantly increase the demand for critical metal resources such as lithium, manganese, copper, rare earth, etc., and their sustainable supply is important to ensure the clean transition of the power system. This paper summarizes the research progress of sustainable critical metal supply in the power sector by reviewing existing studies in this field. Firstly, we analyze the formation mechanism of potential critical metal supply risk by using economic theory and then discuss the far-reaching impacts on economic development, industrial chain resilience, and global sustainable development. Secondly, how these factors of mineral resource concentration, geopolitical instability, and supply chain vulnerability influence the sustainable supply is investigated. This study also concludes prevention measures in the latest research, which would help to provide a theoretical basis and practical support for ensuring the sustainable supply of critical metal resources. Our reviews suggest the urgency to further explore and improve the theoretical system of resource-environment-economy sustainable development and low-carbon cycle development. An integrated critical metal supply-related model and database should also be established to provide data support for supply risk assessment and policy formulation.