Contents

Overview of EU policy: Resource use

Journal:
Manual of European Environmental Policy
ISSN:
1467-0445
E-ISSN:
1740-3529
Publisher:
Earthscan, London, UK
DOI:
10.3763/meep.2010.0101
Author:
Institute for European Environmental Policy
Information last updated:
December 2011
Publication date:
December 2011

To produce the products and commodities desired by our societies requires the use of a multiplicity of finite resources such as minerals, metals and non-renewable energy. This consumption of commodities has an impact on the environment at every stage from the extraction of the raw material, through the processing into products and the use of these products, to their disposal. To deliver more sustainable societies we need to find a way of reducing the impact of our consumption though all the different production, use and end of life phases and importantly encourage more sustainable consumption patterns, that is to deliver more environmentally responsible goods that are used by consumers in a more environmentally responsible way. As stated by Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik in 2010 ‘If Europe is to have a sustainable future, it needs to become more resource-efficient and less polluting’.

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