Analysing (in)efficiencies in the use of raw materials and underlying drivers what are existing knowledge gaps and research needs?

Transcription

1 Analysing (in)efficiencies in the use of raw materials and underlying drivers what are existing knowledge gaps and research needs? Adrian Tan Shailendra Mudgal BIO Intelligence Service Martin Hirschnitz Garbers Tanja Srebotnjak Albrecht Gradmann Ecologic Institute Elaborated within the DYNAMIX project funded by the European Commission FP7, Contract No

2 RESOURCE EFFICIENCY [UNEP, 2011] 2

3 DECOUPLING IN THE EU Resource use in the EU compared with population and GDP (index 2000 = 100) GDP Population Raw material input Raw material consumption Waste generation Energy GHG emissions Utilised agricultural area in the EU Freshwater abstraction GDP Population GHG emissions

4 RESOURCE EFFICIENCY IN EU POLICY 2001: EU Sustainable Development Strategy 2002: The Sixth Environment Action Programme ( ) 2005: Thematic Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources 2010: Europe 2020 A strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth A Resource Efficient Europe Flagship initiative 2011: Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe 4

5 DYNAMIX (DYNAMIC POLICY MIXES FOR ABSOLUTE DECOUPLING OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF EU RESOURCE USE FROM ECONOMIC GROWTH ) OBJECTIVE To identify policy pathways to achieve absolute decoupling of economic growth from resource use and its environmental impacts in the EU in 2050 PARTNERS WORK TO BE PERFORMED Ex post assessment of existing policies and policy mixes; development of scenarios and new policy mixes (incl. paradigm shifts); quantitative modelling; qualitative ex ante assessment; and, stakeholder involvement through policy platforms. 5

6 Relative decoupling Absolute decoupling Absolute decoupling within/towards resource limits Past policies Current policies GDP or sector growth Future policies Business as usual projection of resource use Projection of GDP Resource use Targets + R&D Reporting Requirements and Voluntary Agreements Instrument mixes used Standards & Regulation t Taxes Projection of resource use t Targets and/or objectives Sustainability threshold Instruments committed to Future needs today t 6

7 IDENTIFYING RESOURCE INEFFICIENCY Research question What are the areas where resource efficiency has the most potential to achieve decoupling? Method Literature review Meta-analysis Policy platform Scope Resources: materials, energy, water, land, ecosystem services Consumption and production perspective: food, transport, buildings 7

8 IDENTIFICATION OF INEFFICIENT USE OF RESOURCES What is efficient? doing more with less Output/Input = 100% No waste Theoretical physical efficiency Technologically feasible? Economically feasible? Practically feasible? An optimal state in an economic system Meeting human needs in the best possible way Not depleting natural resources and degrading ecosystem services When we can t imagine anything better...? 8

9 PLANETARY BOUNDARIES inner green shading = proposed safe operating space for nine planetary systems red wedges = estimate of the current position for each variable [Rockström et al., 2009] 9

10 IDENTIFICATION OF INEFFICIENT USE OF RESOURCES Example: Meat Protein: vegetable vs. animal Origin: Packaging: local minimal vs. vs. best climatic conditions protection Slaughter: manual vs. machine Waste: leftovers vs. compost Agriculture Slaughter Food processing Distribution Retail Food preparation Eating Disposal Agriculture: Transport: Storage: Cooking: organic vs. intensive truck vs. train fresh vs. frozen raw vs. slow cook 10

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12 DRIVERS AND CAUSES OF INEFFICIENT USE OF RESOURCES Inefficiency > Drivers > Causes Example: Building INEFFICIENCY Excessive heat demand DRIVERS Poor building design / insulation Inefficient heating products and systems User behaviour High indoor temperatures Leaving appliances on when not needed High investment costs Low energy costs Comfort CAUSES Standards Principle agent Poor choice of heating technology and products Lack of information of energy performance Low awareness of energy consumption 21/03/2013 First DYNAMIX Policy Platform, Brussels 12

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16 INDICATORS AND TARGETS AS A POLICY TOOL Roadmap to a resource-efficient Europe (2011) Roadmap proposes a new pathway to action on resource efficiency, with a process involving all key stakeholders, to discuss and agree on indicators and targets by the end of 2013 Indicators to set policy targets A quantified policy objective Provides clear orientation, concrete guidance and helps prioritise actions Monitors progress towards policy objective Should be easy to communicate and it should inspire/engage Requires Environmental rationale: scientific evidence about environmental thresholds and carrying capacity, e.g. resource base, absorption capacities Socio-economic rationale: evidence about what is economically feasible, socially preferable and technically possible 16

17 USE OF RESOURCES ARE INTERLINKED Reduce GHG emissions Increase renewable energy Reduce energy consumption Water use Material consumption Land use Biomass Mineral Metals Fossil fuels Feed Food Biofuel Legend: Contributes positively Existing target Biomass stocks Potential conflict Dependent Proposed target 17

18 FURTHER RESEARCH IS NEEDED... Clear definitions of operational sustainability thresholds What are (economically and socially) optimal investments to be made in resource efficiency and how should we prioritise them? How should we address inefficiencies related to use and consumption behaviours? Personal preferences and the question of sufficiency needs to be addressed... What are the promising pathways to achieving global resource use that remains within resource limits and sustainability thresholds? 21/03/2013 First DYNAMIX Policy Platform, Brussels 18

19 THANK YOU! QUESTIONS? CONTACT Adrian Tan BIO Intelligence Service, Paris, France Tel: DYNAMIX website Report available: The underlying reasons for resource (in)efficiencies Elaborated within the DYNAMIX project funded by the European Commission FP7, Contract No