Sustainable Use of Natural Resources
Resources are the backbone of every economy.
In using resources and transforming them, capital stocks are built up which
add to the wealth of present and future generations. However, the dimensions
of our current resource use are such that the chances of future generations
- and the developing countries - to have access to their fair share of scarce
resources are endangered. Moreover, the consequences of our resource use in
terms of impacts on the environment may induce serious damages that go beyond
the carrying capacity of the environment. These effects risk being aggravated
once the developing world has taken up growth and resource use similar to
the industrialised countries.
Thematic Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources
On 21st December 2005 the European Commission proposed a Strategy
on the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources used in Europe. The objective
of the strategy is to reduce the environmental impacts associated with resource
use and to do so in a growing economy. Focusing on the environmental impacts
of resource use will be a decisive factor in helping the EU achieve sustainable
development.
This is the third Thematic Strategy that the Commission adopted
following the provisions of the 6th Environmental
Action programme (6 EAP). The Action Programme addressed the issue of
resources and called for the development of a Thematic Strategy on the sustainable
use of natural resources (Resource Strategy). The objective can be described
as: "ensuring that the consumption of resources and their associated impacts
do not exceed the carrying capacity of the environment and breaking the linkages
between economic growth and resource use".
International Panel on Sustainable Resource Management
This initiatives finds its origine in the strategy on
the sustainable use of natural resources. The Panel aims to provide
scientific evidence to underpin the delivery of policies on resource
efficiency. Made up of leading scientists, it was set up in 2007 under
the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to
provide authoritative and independent advice to decision makers
globally. The first report "Assessing biofuels" was launched on 16
October 2009. The Panel will deliver further reports on topics including
the decoupling of environmental degradation from economic growth, the
environmental impacts from production and consumption and metal
recycling.
For more information and the first report click here.
Follow-up of the Thematic Strategy on the sustainable use of natural resources: Studies
Background - Preparation of the Thematic Strategy
- The Commission set up two Working Groups that were active during the stakeholder consultation process:
- Information event of 16 January 2006
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