Alerting policymakers to the value hidden in our wind turbines

Challenge

The Royal Academy of Engineering is the UK's national academy for engineering and technology.

• Through its National Engineering Policy Centre, it gives independent, expert advice to government on the issues that matter most to society.

• Securing the critical materials needed for the clean energy transition is one of those issues.

• A major policy report made the case for recovering neodymium — a critical mineral — from the magnets inside Britain's ageing wind turbines. Its findings were vital but dense and technical, and had to land with policymakers, industry and the public alike.

How we helped

• We produced a short animated explainer to accompany the report, turning complex data on magnet stocks, decommissioning timelines and carbon savings into a clear, compelling narrative.

• We created a print infographic for use in the report itself, making the scales, timelines and benefits tangible.