Topics | Umweltbundesamt

In 2019, German consumption of raw materials totalled 1,328 million tonnes, or 16 tonnes per capita. This represents only a slight change in the trend up to 2018. In 2019, raw material consumption in Germany will fall slightly. German raw material consumption will also fall slightly in 2020 and 2021. read more

Resource use and the competition for scarce resources such as clean water, land and raw materials are on the rise worldwide, while at the same time worldwide environmental problems such as climate change, soil degradation and biodiversity loss are worsening. Hence resource stewardship and efficient resource use are one of the main challenges we face today and are a key environmental policy issue. read more

In recent years, public debate on natural resource conservation and the implementation of measures for increased resource efficiency has gained considerable momentum both in Europe and internationally. This dynamic has helped to shape the environmental policy debate. An UBA research project has now carried out a scientific analysis of resource policies and instruments in nine countries. read more

Efficiency increase oftentimes reduces product or service costs, which can in turn ramp up consumption (due to reduced prices), thus partly canceling out the original savings. This is known as the rebound effect. read more

Increasing amounts of abiotic resources are being extracted with each passing year. These elements are converted into or used to make raw materials, with the aim of meeting growing worldwide demand. In increasingly ecologically sensitive areas, this evolution is exacerbating worldwide environmental problems such as climate change, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss. read more

Greater resource efficiency is good not only for the environment, but also for the economy, in terms of lower materials costs, less dependency on raw materials imports, and lower waste management expenditures. read more

In order to conserve resources successfully, we need laws and economic conditions that promote resource efficiency and reduce resource use. The goal is to increase economic opportunity through measures such as cost reductions. At the same time protection against increasing raw material prices and extreme price fluctuations is required. read more

Across the board resource efficiency optimization is one of the very best ways to reduce manufacturing costs and improve competitiveness in the business sector. This principle is borne out by the outcomes of a program that provides companies with advice on how to improve material efficiency. read more