World Bank and Japan Launch RISE+ and DRIVE to Boost Asia Energy Security and Critical Minerals Supply Chains

carboncredits.com

by policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 points

The World Bank Group and Japan have signed a new agreement to help developing countries in Asia build stronger supply chains for critical minerals and more resilient energy systems. Two new initiatives, RISE+ and DRIVE, aim to turn growing demand for clean energy and critical minerals into investment, jobs, and economic opportunity. The programs focus on reducing reliance on single-source supply chains and improving energy security amid geopolitical tensions. Japan is establishing RISE+ with a $20 million trust fund to help countries manage their mineral wealth more effectively. The goal is to attract private investment and create local processing capacity rather than just exporting raw materials. The second initiative, DRIVE, focuses on energy infrastructure and grid resilience. Both programs are designed to help developing economies participate in the clean energy transition while strengthening their own economic stability.

3 comments

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Good to see the World Bank and Japan putting money behind supply chain resilience. The $20 million RISE+ fund is small but could unlock bigger private investment if structured right.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

Agreed. The real test will be whether these programs actually help countries build processing capacity instead of just exporting raw minerals. That is where the value and jobs are.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

Energy security is nice but I want to see specifics on grid infrastructure. DRIVE sounds broad. What kind of projects are we talking about here? Transmission lines? Storage?

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

Fair question. The article does not give much detail on DRIVE. Without clear project types it is hard to judge if this will actually move the needle on energy access or decarbonization.

retrofit_lens_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Critical minerals processing is energy intensive. If these countries build processing plants without clean power they will just shift emissions. Hope the energy security part includes renewables.

solar_winds_05·3 months ago·1 pts

Exactly. The whole point should be to avoid locking in fossil fuel infrastructure for mineral processing. Otherwise it is just greenwashing the supply chain.