On Wednesday 30th November 2011, ALDE MEPs Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (D66, NL) and Catherine Bearder (LibDem, UK) organised a seminar in the European Parliament on improving resource efficiency in the context of declining availability of natural resources around the world.

Today, given the importance of ensuring the long term survival of the planet, it is also hoped that the UN climate summit in Durban (COP17, South Africa, 28 November – 9 December) result in new climate aid commitments related to greening the economy.   

MEP Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, European Parliament´s rapporteur on resource efficiency, declared:
"Europe is vulnerable because of its heavy dependence on raw materials from other continents. We should therefore give high priority to efficient use.  The case for moving to a resource efficient society is as much economic as it is environmental. Becoming more resource efficient is simply an economic necessity. That will not only decrease our dependency on ever more expensive natural resources, it will also act as a driver for jobs and stimulate a healthy living environment. It is the responsibility of Governments to stimulate change in this direction."

MEP Catherine Bearder underlined: "The resources of the planet are finite. Only by valuing them and working together with industry to ensure that we make the most of them and manage them sustainably for future generations can European business and society continue to thrive. We must introduce more sustainability into the way we do business and encourage others, through leading by example and by ensuring sustainability in our trade deals and external relations, that this issue remains a priority both in Europe and in the International Community".

Notes:
The resource efficiency target for Member states is under consideration as the EU executive prepares its Roadmap to a resource-efficient Europe as the guiding principle supporting policy agendas for energy, climate change, transport, industry, raw materials, agriculture, fisheries, biodiversity and regional development.

See also links: EP report working document on "A Resource efficient Europe", MEP J.G.Gerbrandy rapporteur
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2009_2014/documents/envi/dt/882/882253/882253en.pdf
Roadmap from EC
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/resource_efficiency/index_en.htm