Home > Intel By Sector > Electronics
A new resource reality for electronics
Electronic brands selling smartphones/ laptops, essentially all modern tech, are highly reliant on China as the world’s global rare earths and critical raw materials producer. For instance, rare earths enable HD graphics & indium is essential for the touch screen.
However, as China says no to pollution & yes to a its own high tech future, risks are high and serious questions who will supply the world are being raised.
On top of this, current brand strategies like increasing use of critical raw materials, ultra low recycling rates (<1% rare earth recycling rate) and build-in obsolescence compound these risks. “Smart” brands are not being smart and need to wake up to the new resource reality. Explore more in the Big Picture or get on top of recent articles in The Latest.
We Recommend
17 April, 2020
Governments are prioritising lives over money but with pressure to re-open the economy, can we use lessons learnt...
#analysis
17 October, 2017
Cooperation and conflict exist on a spectrum in transboundary river basins. Dr Selina Ho from Lee Kuan Yew...
#opinions
19 October, 2016
On 1 January 2015, China’s amended Environmental Protection Law came into effect after more than 25 years without revision. China Water Risk previously...
#interviews
20 July, 2016
Last December in Paris, an epic agreement on climate change was reached, setting the world on the long road towards de-carbonizing global economic growth. Promising...
#notices
The Latest
Latest Analysis & Opinions
26 March, 2021
The new China is not the old China. China Water risk's Yuanchao Xu & Debra Tan went searching for water in the 14FYP and are left feeling optimistic, see why
#analysis
26 March, 2021
China has set a 2025 water reduction per unit of GDP target. Is it aggressive enough? To answer this we take a close look on how China has fared on its past targets
#analysis
26 March, 2021
China's 14 Five Year Plan has bullish environmental goals but transformative potential is met with challenges, explains Chinese Academy for Environmental Planning's Dr Zhanfeng Dong & Assistant Researcher Yichuan Song
#opinions
26 March, 2021
What does China's 14FYP mean for CSR in China? And what about Covid? Find out and more as SynTao shares their Top 10 trends for 2021
#opinions
26 March, 2021
Ports are key economic drivers but are at risk from rising sea levels. Asian ports in ports in particular. Are Chinese ports taking action? CWR's Dr Chien TatLow shares key findings from a survey
#analysis
26 March, 2021
Thanks to China's carbon targets, the country's low carbon transition is in full swing. SynTao Green Finance shares their top 10 trends for responsible investment in China in 2021
#opinions
