The call for a basic law for resource protection has been voiced for some time, because although there are many specialised laws on environmental protection, they are largely unrelated to one another. A basic law that combines these individual strands could increase the effectiveness of environmental protection efforts.
So far, the discussion about such a basic law has focused primarily on an overall goal for per capita resource consumption, and in particular on a specific target and its binding nature. The study "Sektorziele für die Ressourcennutzung in einem Ressourcenschutzrecht" (English roughly "Sectoral Targets for Resource Use under a Resource Protection Law") goes a step further: A transparent breakdown into sectoral targets can, on the one hand, provide a platform for committed actors who are successfully implementing innovative resource protection measures, and, on the other hand, identify specific policy areas that fall short of expectations.
The aim of this study is to contribute to the discussion on a resource protection law by analysing and comparing existing options. The German Federal Climate Change Act (German: Bundes-Klimaschutzgesetz) in its 2021 version serves as a model for the formulation of possible sub-targets.
Three options are examined:
- A breakdown based on end use (primary raw material consumption indicator, RMC)
- A breakdown based on production (primary raw material input indicator, RMI)
- A breakdown based on mining (domestic extraction indicator, DE)
Each option is analysed with regard to existing examples, empirical scales, possible sub-targets, accounting methods as well as the process of target formulation and the implementation of the disaggregated targets. The study also proposes possible scales for sub-targets.