Options for a European Resource-Efficiency Economy

The POLFREE (POLicy options For a Resource-Efficient Economy) project explored drivers and barriers for a resource-efficient economy in Europe. The project investigated why resources have been used inefficiently, developed new concepts and paradigms for resources efficiency, and examined through modelling different policy scenarios for resource efficiency. The project recently published six Policy Briefs presenting the results with respect to different issues. The Wuppertal Institut contributed POLFREE Policy Brief No. 5 "Policy Mixes for a Resource-Efficient Europe". It makes clear that resource efficiency is a multi-aspect and crosscutting issue, requiring an appropriate and well-designed policy mix in order to properly address a "web of constraints". The component instruments of a policy mix must be delineated from "policy fields" that hold great resource efficiency potentials, while potential features and key trade-offs within such policy mixes require specific attention and analysis. Due to a high complexity, the creation of an effective and efficient policy mix for resource efficiency that is equally consistent, coherent and credible for stakeholders remains a substantial challenge and calls for further research.

You find all Policy Briefs as well as further project results at the POLFREE website.