Dematerialization: Long-term trends in the intensity of use of materials and energy

摘要: Abstract The large capital requirements, long lead-times and political connotations of new resource exploitation, make long-term evaluations requirements a fundamental issue in strategic policy choices. This article reviews trends the intensity use energy materials, setting them within conceptual framework theory dematerialization. Prevailing are discussed terms major determining factors—changes structure final demand, increases efficiency materials use, substitution alternative materials. identifies limits dematerialization as an empirical forecasting tool provides assessment its usefulness area resources policy.