Sufficiency in the EU: where do we stand?

At a time marked by intertwined energy and social crises, using our planet’s finite resources wisely is the only viable path forward. Consuming more than we need is not only irresponsible; it also endangers both our present and our future.

In this new paper Politiques de sobriété en Europe : où en est-on ?, we examine the European Union’s current strategy on sufficiency and identify opportunities to embed sufficiency principles in forthcoming legislation. We also share inspiring policy measures implemented by several local authorities, some of which are Energy Cities members.

As many decisions affecting resource consumption are made locally, cities are ideally placed to experiment with new models of urban development, governance and public service delivery—and subsequently replicate successful approaches elsewhere. Strong local foundations can therefore transform sufficiency into a collective endeavour.

From Germany to Spain, from tackling vacant properties to redesigning cities

European cities are proving that a resource-wise society is possible!

Urban planning and development measures include tackling vacant properties through a jointly developed legal framework in Utrecht, the Netherlands; encouraging residential mobility in Göttingen, Germany; facilitating home exchanges between residents in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany, and Lausanne, Switzerland; redesigning city blocks to provide more space for pedestrians, cyclists and residents in Barcelona, Spain; applying sufficiency and building-sharing principles in schools in Rennes, France; engaging residents (Carbon Conversations in Greater Besançon, a repair voucher scheme in Vienna, and a “sufficiency tour” in Flensburg); raising awareness among municipal staff in the French Basque Country Agglomeration Community; enshrining sufficiency in law in Canton of Vaud, Swiss; and banning advertising for fossil fuels and meat products in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Download the paper (French version only) to learn more and find inspiration!

This work was funded by ADEME, the French Agency for Ecological Transition.