In a world of economic growth and increasing burden of the use of material resources it is of decisive importance to improve resource efficiency.
The main task of this study is seen to gain new evidence-based insights into the economics of resource policies. The study analyses the efficiency of resource policies applied in EU Member States as well as in the countries outside the EU, such as Korea, China, Australia and North America. The selected cases are to be filed according to their typology, and resource efficiency policies which are particularly appropriate to illustrate the economic impact of such policies will be picked for an in-depth analysis.
Due to the variety of types of resources, resource efficiency policies and accompanying measures and country-specific conditions in the different Member States, generalisations may prove to be difficult. The main challenge is therefore to identify areas where net economic benefits to the EU economy are likely to be highest. The objective of the study is to support decision-making on EU level in view of implementing additional resource efficiency policy in EU Member States and to inform about the maximum potential net benefits, while taking into consideration the different country-specific conditions.
The recommendations of this study will be fed into the ongoing EU processes of improving the efficient use of resources as outlined in the thematic strategies of the 6th Environment Action Programme of the EU and the Lisbon Strategy.
The Wuppertal Institute develops a typology of instruments respectively policies and analyses the countries Germany, Austria, Japan, China and USA in view of the locally implemented policies. Moreover it helps to identify and close existing data gaps in this field (policy evaluation) and supports the development of an analysis guideline based on the economic assessments realised by the project partners.