Dematerialisation WP5
Overview
Using natural resources in a sustainable way – by decoupling economic growth from the environmental impacts of resource use – means both: ensuring the availability of supplies and managing the environmental impact of their use. This case study provides methods, indicators, data and scenarios for ISA to assist the EU Commission and member states in developing and implementing policies for sustainable resource management, minimization of waste, and Integrated Product Policy.
Objectives
The overall aim is to provide knowledge and various consistent data sets on systemic features, driving forces, technological and institutional options for policy and stakeholders. The focus is on resource use, waste and dematerialization potentials, tests of the strengths and weaknesses of ISA-tools and methods, and support for sustainability assessments useful to policy makers and stakeholders.
The study mainly deals with the European Union. The work package will follow two tracks. One will focus on ISA of policies influencing modes of production towards increased resource productivity, while minimizing shifting of environmental problems. The second track focusses on resources and waste generation by economic sectors and looks into driving forces, dynamics of change and policy options for dematerialisation.
WP 5.1: Increasing resource use efficiency without problem shifting
WP 5.1 focusses on ISA methods and tools that the detection and assessment of environmental problem shifting (for instance moving production outside the EU) associated with increased materials and resource productivity. We analyse the driving forces behind, and the technological and institutional potentials to further increase resource efficiency while minimizing problem shifting. To do this, a multi-level framework for analysis and assessment of economy-wide material flows and their environmental, economic and social implications is being developed, with a focus on indicators and quantitative targets applicable at the EU-25 member states. Integration of findings will support further development of models and ISA methods.
WP 5.2: Resource use and waste generation by economic sectors: options for dematerialisation
WP 5.2 focusses on resources, waste generation by economic sectors and driving forces, dynamics of change and policy options for dematerialisation. This ultimately will provide tools for forecasting material and waste flows in relation to economic developments and lifestyle.
Activities
WP.5.1
- Multi-level framework for analysis and assessment of economy-wide material flows
- Analysis of driving forces of problem shifting
- Stakeholder and participatory process
- Modelling selected technological and institutional potentials for minimizing resource use and waste generation (close cooperation with WP7, WP8 and WP9)
WP 5.2
- Selection of categories of materials and of geographical and time scope of the data bases
- Construction of data base and scenario analysis
- Stakeholder and participatory process
- Second iteration of scenario analysis using inputs from Task 3, WP 8 and WP 9
- Evaluation of methodological requirements for further development of ISA methods and tools
Products
WP 5.1
- Report on methodological requirements, indicators and targets to be considered by ISA.
- Report on driving forces of resource use/efficiency/problem shifting and parameters to be considered by ISA.
- Meeting with relevant stakeholders
- Report on how technological and institutional potentials can be considered in ISA.
WP 5.2
- Detailed specification of the structure and scope of data bases
- Two data bases
- Meeting with relevant stakeholders
- Revised data base
- Technical report on scenario results, scenario narratives
- Final report on experiences with ISA
Research team for WP 5
Tyndall Centre & CSERGE, University ofEast Anglia, Norwich
Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environmentand Energy, Wuppertal
Social Ecology, Vienna, (IFF)
Charles University Environmental Center,Prague
Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI),Stockholm
University of Durham
Contact:
WP 5.1: Stefan Bringezu, WuppertalInstitute stefan.bringezu@wupperinst.org
Wp 5.2: Helga Weiss, IFF Helga.Weisz@uni-klu.ac.at