 Rare earth elements are essential components of many renewable energy technologies, including wind turbines, batteries, catalysts and electric vehicles. However, their availability is limited due to quotas imposed by the Chinese government on exports and crackdowns on illegal mining operations. This has caused a shortage and subsequent price increase, which has since decreased but remains unstable. There are only a few active mines around the world, most notably in China, the United States and Australia. These mines produce a significant amount of GHG emissions, primarily through the use of hydrochloric acid and steam. Additionally, life-cycle assessments show that rare earth production consumes more water and energy than other metals. This article was authored by Nasad Haq, Anthony Hughes, Singh Lim and others.