The Mineral Security Partnership in the Context of the Securitization of Critical Minerals

Year 2024, Volume: 2 Issue: 2, 133 - 170, 26.12.2024

Anıl Çağlar Erkan

Abstract

In recent years, renewable energy sources have started to replace fossil-based energy sources in the global energy paradigm. Consequently, in recent years, there has been a transition toward an energy system based on renewable energy sources. This process, known as the energy transition, aims to completely rebuild the global energy system. Indeed, the energy transition is currently the most rational option for addressing energy security problems stemming from the fossil fuel-based energy system. However, whether it will eliminate these problems remains debatable. This is because the energy transition is very likely to introduce several new threats to energy security. One of the most likely threats in this regard is related to critical minerals. Critical minerals are the most vital components necessary for the functioning of the renewable energy system. What makes critical minerals a potential threat to energy security is the current global conditions. The global critical minerals market is currently dominated by a few key countries, primarily China. Moreover, certain issues related to critical minerals make the securitization of these minerals inevitable. For example, the establishment of the Mineral Security Partnership is entirely a result of the securitization of critical minerals. Considering all this, this study analyzes the Mineral Security Partnership within the framework of the securitization of critical minerals.

Keywords

Securitization, Copenhagen School, Critical Minerals, Mineral Security Partnership, China.

KRİTİK MİNERALLERİN GÜVENLİKLEŞTİRİLMESİ BAĞLAMINDA MİNERAL GÜVENLİK ORTAKLIĞI

Abstract

Son yıllarda küresel enerji paradigmasında fosil temelli enerji kaynaklarının yerini yenilebilir enerji kaynakları almaya başlamıştır. Bununla ilişkili olarak son yıllarda yenilebilir enerji kaynakları temelinde işleyen bir enerji düzenine geçiş sürecine girildiği görülmektedir. Enerji dönüşümü olarak nitelendirilen bu süreç doğrultusunda küresel enerji düzeninin sil baştan yeniden inşa edilmesi amaçlanmaktadır. Nitekim enerji dönüşümü, bilhassa fosil temelli enerji düzeninden kaynaklı enerji güvenliği sorunlarının giderilmesine yönelik halihazırdaki en rasyonel seçenektir. Buna karşın söz konusu sorunları tamamen ortadan kaldıracak olması halen daha tartışmalıdır. Zira enerji dönüşümünün enerji güvenliği açısından bir takım yeni tehditleri ortaya çıkarması son derece muhtemeldir. Bu doğrultuda karşılaşılması en muhtemel tehditlerden birisi kritik minerallerle ilişkilidir. Çünkü kritik mineraller yenilenebilir enerji düzeninin işleyişi için gerekli olan en hayati bileşenlerdir. Kritik mineralleri enerji güvenliği açısından potansiyel bir tehdit haline getiren ise günümüz şartlarıdır. Öyle ki küresel kritik mineral pazarı halihazırda başta Çin olmak üzere belli başlı ülkelerin tekelindedir. Bununla birlikte kritik minerallerle ilişkili bir takım hususlar kritik minerallerin güvenlikleştirilmesini kaçınılmaz hale getirmektedir. Örneğin Mineral Güvenlik Ortaklığı’nın kurulması tamamen kritik minerallerin güvenlikleştirilmesinin bir sonucudur. Tüm bunlar ışığında çalışmada Mineral Güvenlik Ortaklığı, kritik minerallerin güvenlikleştirilmesi kapsamında analiz edilmektedir.

Keywords

Güvenlikleştirme, Kopenhag Okulu, Kritik Mineraller, Mineral Güvenlik Ortaklığı, Çin

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