Reduce Resource Use For A Fairer, Cleaner, And More Resilient Europe

“Emphasises that addressing resource scarcity requires reducing the extraction and use of resources and an absolute decoupling of growth from the use of natural resources.” […] “There is an urgent need for an overall reduction in resource extraction and use in order to overcome the rebound effect; urges the Commission to propose measures accor­dingly;”

This was stated in a non-legislative own-initia­tive report (INI) on Resource efficiency (Moving towards a circular economy) that the European Parliament adopted in 2015. However, no concrete steps towards achieving sufficiency have since been taken at the EU level. Despite the recent crisis (climate change, COVID-19, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine), the EU’s consumption of natural resources is still far beyond what is sustainable. Additionally, the EU’s dependence on high volumes of imported raw materials and commodities leaves us vulnerable to supply risks and geopolitical instability.

MEPs, what are you waiting for?

As current policies are insufficient to break this trend, and in line with the manifesto A resilient and resource-wise Europe: sufficiency at the heart of the EU’s future, we, together with other NGOs, aim to raise awareness on what sufficiency and resource use reduction mean and call for an EU framework on resource use reduction centred around sufficiency measures.

The new Members of the European Parliament can adopt a legislative initiative report (INL) on a Resource-wise Europe to push the Commission to draft a legislative proposal addressing sufficiency as a policy priority. Furthermore, MEPs can raise critical questions during the hearings of Commissioner-designatesto make sure they support sufficiency approaches and will follow up on the Council’s conclusions (EU Environmental Council meeting,17 June 2024).

Bold political action is essential to strengthen strategic autonomy, resilience and competitiveness while delivering wellbeing for all. Read the full letter we sent to MEPs here.

Click here to learn more about why sufficiency should be at the heart of the EU action!