Der Wandel zur Elektromobilität in der Automobilindustrie und potenzielle Risiken hinsichtlich des EU-Lieferkettengesetzes

  • Jakob Timotheus Haussteiner

Student thesis: Master's Thesis

Abstract

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time, and the necessity to achieve global climate goals requires comprehensive measures to decarbonize all economic sectors. Against this backdrop, the European Union (EU) has set ambitious goals to reduce emissions and achieve a climate-neutral society. A central pillar of these efforts is the transition to electromobility in the automotive industry. However, this transition brings not only technological changes but also far-reaching structural adjustments within the industry. This master's thesis examines the risks that arise from the transition to electromobility in the context of the EU Supply Chain Act. It analyzes whether the new supply chain structures could jeopardize compliance with the legal requirements of the EU Supply Chain Act. The aim is to develop a deeper understanding of the risks present in the global supply chains of electromobility. The work follows a quantitative research approach and focuses on the analysis of two key indices: a human rights index and an environmental protection index. These indices are used to assess the legal positions protected by the EU Supply Chain Act in the global supply chains of electromobility. Additionally, the data foundation includes current production data of raw materials essential for the manufacture of electric vehicles. These data are sourced from the "World Mining Data" database and have been visually processed to systematically represent the risk profiles of the countries. The findings of the thesis show that the transition to electromobility has significant impacts on the European automotive industry. The increasing spread of electric vehicles leads to a growing dependence on certain raw materials, the extraction of which is often associated with ecological and social risks. These risks are further exacerbated by the requirements of the EU Supply Chain Act, as companies are obligated to ensure compliance with human rights and environmental standards along their entire supply chain. In summary, the thesis illustrates that the transition to electromobility not only requires technological innovations but also necessitates adjustments in the global procurement strategies of the automotive industry. Compliance with the EU Supply Chain Act presents a central challenge, forcing companies to critically rethink and adapt their global supply chains.
Date of Award2024
Original languageGerman (Austria)
SupervisorValentin Schmidt (Supervisor)

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