The report  on the European Commission´s "Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe", drafted by  Dutch Liberal Democrat MEP Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (D66, NL), defines concrete steps towards improving resource efficiency, tackling one of our biggest challenges: the declining availability of resources around the world. The final report will be voted tomorrow in the European Parliament.

The rapporteur, Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy makes a number of proposals to improve rational use of resources and waste in the European Union.

The report embraces the priority actions proposed by the rapporteur:

1. Remove obstacles to a functioning European market in recycling and reuse
2. Boost research and technological innovation
3. Extension of the scope of the eco-design directive
4. Mainstreaming of resource efficiency into other policy areas
5. Public private task forces for the three key areas of food, housing and mobility
6. Setting clear and robust indicators as the basis for concrete reduction targets

The report calls for a major overhaul of the "secondary-material consumption" referring to recycled materials such as plastics, metals or paper.
As resource use exceeds regional availability, Europe´s dependence on primary resources raises questions about security of supply and scarcity of resources in the long term vision, the report says.  

MEP Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (D66, NL), European Parliament´s rapporteur and Vice-chairman of the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee underlined:
"The European Parliament and the European Commission have laid down ambitious plans to tackle resource use, it is now up to the Member States to pick up the gauntlet and fight for resource efficiency as well. Implementation of my report would mean economic growth, creation of jobs and protection of the environment. What are we waiting for?"