Policy tools for a more efficient resource use

Policy makers are in a unique position to boost resource efficiency. Reducing resource consumption and increasing economic and social wellbeing will provide substantial benefits for both society and the planet. Policymakers around the world are recognising the importance of SCP. Increasing resource efficiency is an important aspect of SCP and the importance of effective public policy in encouraging and enabling this critical shift is widely recognised. Importantly, an effective framework requires the application of a suite of policy instruments to create an enabling framework.

What can policy makers do?

This project created a compendium of instruments that have demonstrated success in increasing resource efficiency. The compendium presents a wide array of policy instruments aimed at improving resource efficiency and promoting SCP in both production and consumption systems. Policy approaches presented and analysed range from classical regulatory instruments to cooperation tools. A range of financial instruments are also presented in a ‘hands-on’ style and illustrate:

• Analysis of strengths and weaknesses

• The mode of operation for each instrument
• A case study illustrating how the tool has been applied in practice

Policy makers are provided a solid foundation for setting realistic long-term policy objectives and targets and applying a mix of policy instruments.

Background

The compendium was published by the CSCP together with the German Society for Technical Cooperation (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit – GTZ) and the Wuppertal Institute. The project was supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).