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
24 May, 2022
CWR was the thematic partner for Singapore International Water Week 2022. CWR's Dawn McGregor shares what kept us...
#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
7 November, 2022
7th November, 2022 – CWR releases new “HK Double Blind Maximum Risk Case Study”, a key section from its new report “
#notices
The Latest
Latest Analysis & Opinions
19 January, 2023
Greenie Web's program analyses a website to recommend near instant decarbonization actions. Ian Chew, Founder of Greenie Web expands on the program & talks the future of technological sustainability
#opinions
19 January, 2023
Want a more sustainable wardrobe? Smthgood, a recently launched conscious fashion app based in Singapore can help as Eco-Business' Robin Hicks shows
#opinions
19 January, 2023
Painting Hong Kong's buildings white with iPaint could reduce carbon emissions by 580,000 tonnes annually. We chat to i2Cool's Founder, Dr Martin Zhu to learn more
#interviews
20 December, 2022
Green Queen's Sally Ho tackles some of the complexities surrounding food & waste and examines which choices are really the most planet-friendly, it might not be the ones you think
#opinions
24 October, 2022
Rivers are our lifelines; they support cities, food & economies for centuries. This summer they were tested with severe drought/floods – will they fail? CWR’s Tan & Lam dive into challenges facing 5 major river basins that are the industrial/agricultural heartlands for China, Pakistan, US and Europe.
#analysis
24 October, 2022
Riskier and costlier water and climate-related water risks are drastically reshaping the operating environment, even for leading companies. See what companies need to do to survive with CWR's Dawn McGregor
#opinions
Latest Reports
WMO, 2022
WMO, 2022
