Resource efficiency could save trillions

UK – By 2030, the world’s economies could save themselves US$ 2 trillion (Euro 1.5 trillion) through resource efficiency, according to a report for the World Economic Forum’s sustainable consumption initiative.

The world is facing peak metal demand by that year but this could be avoided if recycling were to increase from 38% to 51%, say the report’s authors from Oxford Economics.

However, the document also recognises that there are many barriers to a rapid shift towards resource-efficient economies such as complex supply chains, limited policy incentives, short-termism and the proliferation of green standards which confuse consumers.