Resources for our future: key issues and best practices in resource efficiency

摘要: Natural resources, including minerals, water, energy and arable land, are the basis of human society. Throughout 20th century, growing population has led to an increase in use fossil fuels by a factor 12, extraction 34 times more material resources. As consequence, Earth’s climate is changing, fish stocks forests shrinking, prices resources critical materials rising, species becoming extinct. If grows as expected mean per capita consumption doubles year 2050, it most probable that humanity will experience limits growth. Improving resource efficiency about improving quality life while limiting environmental degradation using wisely changing patterns production consumption. The main ambition enable prosperity for without exceeding planetary limits. In order support economic growth with fewer we need improve use, terms value unit used. This exactly what been achieved recent years: world economy 2005 extracted some 30% produce € 1 GDP than did 1980. absolute terms, however, global still rising. Population have obviously outweighed improvements efficiency.