Driving factors for responsible sourcing in Europe: Motivations of renewable energy technology manufacturers

The paper highlights the urgent demand for sustainable energy transitions within planetary boundaries while addressing social injustices. This transformation significantly relies on increasing the proportion of renewable energy sources, which requires extensive mining and utilisation of energy trans...

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Main Authors: Kügerl, M.T., Hitch, Michael, Gugerell, K.
Format: Journal Article
Published: 2025
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/97519
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author Kügerl, M.T.
Hitch, Michael
Gugerell, K.
author_facet Kügerl, M.T.
Hitch, Michael
Gugerell, K.
author_sort Kügerl, M.T.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description The paper highlights the urgent demand for sustainable energy transitions within planetary boundaries while addressing social injustices. This transformation significantly relies on increasing the proportion of renewable energy sources, which requires extensive mining and utilisation of energy transition metals like copper, cobalt, and lithium. Particular concerns arise when Indigenous lands are involved in mining operations, raising issues of human rights and environmental integrity. The European Union and the United States of America have responded to these concerns with legislative measures to enhance supply chain transparency and prevent conflicts stemming from unethical practices. The study aims to explore responsible sourcing efforts among renewable energy technology manufacturers operating in Europe in the context of these regulations and the obstacles they encounter. Through semi-structured interviews with sustainability and procurement managers, the research investigates internal and external drivers for responsible sourcing, identifying altruistic values and regulatory compliance as critical factors. Despite acknowledging the importance of responsible sourcing, supply chain complexity and resource limitations persist. Ultimately, the study suggests that while responsible sourcing initiatives have the potential to promote justice within supply chains, there is a pressing need for holistic approaches to overcome existing barriers and effectively implement sustainable practices across the renewable energy sector.
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institution Curtin University Malaysia
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last_indexed 2025-11-14T11:48:47Z
publishDate 2025
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-975192025-04-16T04:52:21Z Driving factors for responsible sourcing in Europe: Motivations of renewable energy technology manufacturers Kügerl, M.T. Hitch, Michael Gugerell, K. The paper highlights the urgent demand for sustainable energy transitions within planetary boundaries while addressing social injustices. This transformation significantly relies on increasing the proportion of renewable energy sources, which requires extensive mining and utilisation of energy transition metals like copper, cobalt, and lithium. Particular concerns arise when Indigenous lands are involved in mining operations, raising issues of human rights and environmental integrity. The European Union and the United States of America have responded to these concerns with legislative measures to enhance supply chain transparency and prevent conflicts stemming from unethical practices. The study aims to explore responsible sourcing efforts among renewable energy technology manufacturers operating in Europe in the context of these regulations and the obstacles they encounter. Through semi-structured interviews with sustainability and procurement managers, the research investigates internal and external drivers for responsible sourcing, identifying altruistic values and regulatory compliance as critical factors. Despite acknowledging the importance of responsible sourcing, supply chain complexity and resource limitations persist. Ultimately, the study suggests that while responsible sourcing initiatives have the potential to promote justice within supply chains, there is a pressing need for holistic approaches to overcome existing barriers and effectively implement sustainable practices across the renewable energy sector. 2025 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/97519 10.1016/j.exis.2025.101649 unknown
spellingShingle Kügerl, M.T.
Hitch, Michael
Gugerell, K.
Driving factors for responsible sourcing in Europe: Motivations of renewable energy technology manufacturers
title Driving factors for responsible sourcing in Europe: Motivations of renewable energy technology manufacturers
title_full Driving factors for responsible sourcing in Europe: Motivations of renewable energy technology manufacturers
title_fullStr Driving factors for responsible sourcing in Europe: Motivations of renewable energy technology manufacturers
title_full_unstemmed Driving factors for responsible sourcing in Europe: Motivations of renewable energy technology manufacturers
title_short Driving factors for responsible sourcing in Europe: Motivations of renewable energy technology manufacturers
title_sort driving factors for responsible sourcing in europe: motivations of renewable energy technology manufacturers
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/97519