Geopolitics of Green Technology Supply Chains
International Relations
- PYQs7
- Articles1
Background
This concept is crucial for understanding India's strategic autonomy, critical mineral security, trade policy, and the need for diversification of supply chains in emerging green technologies. It informs foreign policy decisions, industrial strategies, and international collaborations.
The global shift towards green technologies has created new geopolitical dynamics centered around the control of critical mineral resources and manufacturing supply chains. China's overwhelming dominance in these areas raises concerns about economic dependence and strategic vulnerabilities for other nations, impacting global trade and industrial policy.
Facts & tables
- Critical Mineral Processing
- China processes 90% of rare earth elements and 60-70% of lithium and cobalt.
- Complete Supply Chain Offer
- China offers a 'complete supply chain' for green technologies globally.
- Impact on European Industry
- EU faces fears of 'accelerated deindustrialisation' due to Chinese green tech imports, with a 30-40% cost gap.
- Energy Security Link
- Recent global tensions (e.g., West Asia) highlight how green transition enhances energy security but also exposes supply chain risks.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | External Sector & Capital Flows |
| Conceptual area | Intellectual Property Rights & Regulations |
| Conceptual area | Renewable & Clean Energy |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| European Union (EU) | Major economic bloc impacted by and reacting to green tech trade imbalances |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Statement-based questions
Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding
- China's near-monopoly in critical minerals and green tech manufacturing.
- Concerns over economic dependence and strategic vulnerability for other nations.
- Impact on industrial strongholds in other regions (e.g., EU deindustrialisation fears).
- Link between energy security and control over green supply chains.
- Need for diversification and domestic capacity building in green tech.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2024 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2024 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2023 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2015 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2015 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
Timeline
-
External Sector & Capital Flows
Conceptual area
-
Intellectual Property Rights & Regulations
Conceptual area
-
Renewable & Clean Energy
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2015
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2015
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2023
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2024
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2024
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2024
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Inside China’s green transition
The geopolitics of green technology supply chains are defined by China's dominance in critical minerals and manufacturing, leading to concerns over economic dependence and strategic vulnerabilities for other nations, impacting global trade and energy security.
See also
Past papers
2015–2024 · 5 questions
In the news
Inside China’s green transition
The geopolitics of green technology supply chains are defined by China's dominance in critical minerals and manufacturing, leading to concerns over economic dependence and strategic vulnerabilities for other nations, impacting global trade and energy security.
Try these PYQs
Consider the following statements :
Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Technology Council'
Statement-II: The USA and the EU claim that through this they are trying to begin technological progress and physical productivity under their control.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statement?
* Statement 1 is correct: Trade and Technology Council was launched by the the United States of America and the European Union during the EU-US Summit on 15 June 2021 in Brussels. * Statement 2 is incorrect: Trade and Technology council, the USA and EU does not aim to bring technological progress and physical productivity under their control. Rather the initiative intends to promote pooling of digital resources such as AI models and computing power, and make them available to partner countries to address challenges in areas such as climate change and extreme weather, healthcare or smart agriculture.
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: Recently, Venezuela has achieved a rapid recovery from its economic crisis and succeeded in preventing its people from fleeing/emigrating to other countries.
Statement-II: Venezuela has the world's largest oil reserves.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Statement-I: Incorrect. Venezuela continues to suffer from a severe economic crisis marked by hyperinflation, shortages of basic goods, and political instability. This crisis has led to a massive exodus of Venezuelans seeking better living conditions in neighboring countries and beyond. Statement-II: Correct. Venezuela indeed possesses the world's largest proven oil reserves, surpassing even Saudi Arabia. However, despite this vast resource wealth, economic mismanagement, corruption, and international sanctions have crippled its oil industry and hindered its ability to leverage this asset for economic recovery.
Consider the following countries -
1. China
2. France
3. India
4. Israel
5. Pakistan
Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as recognized by the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)?
The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) recognizes five states as nuclear-weapon states:
- The United States, - Russia, - The United Kingdom, - France,
- China (also the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council). Four other states are known or believed to possess nuclear weapons India, Pakistan and North Korea have openly tested and declared that they possess nuclear weapons, while Israel has had a policy of opacity regarding its nuclear weapons program.
In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants?
1. Bangladesh
2. Cambodia
3. China
4. Myanmar
5. Thailand
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
All 6 participants of the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation are member countries bordering the basins of the Mekong and Ganga rivers, aiming to collaborate on various initiatives. These countries are: - India - Cambodia - Laos - Myanmar - Thailand - Vietnam Hence, China & Bangladesh are not part of the Mekong-Ganga Corporation.
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I : Sumed pipeline is a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe.
Statement-II : Sumed pipeline connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Statement I is correct. The Sumed Pipeline is indeed a significant route for transporting oil and natural gas from the Persian Gulf to Europe. It bypasses the Suez Canal, offering an alternative path for these resources. Statement II is also correct. The Sumed Pipeline physically connects the Red Sea (where oil and gas are loaded onto ships from the Persian Gulf) with the Mediterranean Sea, providing a direct route for them to reach European ports. The connection between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea established by the Sumed Pipeline directly explains its strategic importance for transporting oil and gas to Europe. Statement II provides the geographical context for how Statement I functions.
Show 2 more PYQs
With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements:
1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.
2. Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.
3. Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
Statement 1 is correct. The United Nations General Assembly may grant non-member states, international organizations, and other entities Permanent Observer Status. Statement 2 is correct. The General Assembly decided that observer status would be confined to States and intergovernmental organizations whose activities cover matters of interest to the Assembly. Statement 3 is correct. Permanent Observers may participate in the sessions and workings of the General Assembly and maintain missions at the UN Headquarters.
Consider the following pairs :
Country | Reason for being in the news|
|- | -|
|1. Argentina | Worst economic crisis|
|2. Sudan | War between the country's regular army and paramilitary forces|
|3. Turkey | Rescinded its membership of NATO|
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
* Argentina - Worst economic crisis: Correct. Argentina has been facing a severe economic crisis for a while, marked by high inflation, debt, and poverty. * Sudan - War between the country's regular army and paramilitary forces: Correct. Sudan has been engulfed in a violent conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. * Turkey - Rescinded its membership of NATO: Incorrect. Turkey has not rescinded its membership of NATO. While there have been tensions between Turkey and other NATO members, it remains a member. _Therefore, only two out of the three pairs are correctly matched._