EU Warns Iran Conflict Threatens Food, Tech, and Green Transition

EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall has raised concerns about the escalating fallout from the Iran conflict on Europe’s economy. She warns of growing disruptions that could threaten food security, semiconductor production, and the green transition.

The commissioner also stressed the need for faster progress toward a circular economy to reduce reliance on vulnerable supply chains. Roswall highlighted Europe’s ongoing dependence on natural gas, crude oil, and petroleum products. She argued that oil becomes cheapest when it is not used at all, pushing for a shift away from fossil fuels.

The commissioner pointed to recent supply chain disruptions, where critical resources were weaponised in an increasingly hostile global environment. She described these consequences as predictable, warning of even greater chaos ahead if no action is taken.

To strengthen resilience, Roswall called for a rapid transition to a circular economy. She emphasised the need to recover and reuse strategic raw materials rather than discard them, preventing future bottlenecks. European industry, she noted, has untapped capacity that could quickly scale up production to meet these challenges.

Beyond crisis prevention, she framed the circular economy as an opportunity for long-term prosperity. Investing in reuse and recycling would not only secure supply chains but also serve as a buffer against future economic shocks. The commissioner’s warnings come as Europe faces mounting risks to its economy and green goals. By accelerating the shift to a circular economy, the EU aims to cut dependencies, stabilise supply chains, and protect key industries from further instability. Roswall’s proposals focus on practical steps: scaling up production, reusing critical materials, and reducing reliance on volatile energy sources.