Global climate change is triggered by unsustainable patterns of natural resource consumption, including energy consumption. At the same time, modern economies are dependent on the availability and accessibility of natural resources. Driven by population growth and economic development, global use of material resources has increased tremendously in recent years and is expected to continue to grow even further. This trend puts at risk the global agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°. 

At this conference, the German Environment Agency is going to share results from a project to further explore the mutual dependencies and feedback loops between climate policies and associated resource requirements. Six different quantitative scenarios for Germany have been modelled and analysed. These scenarios describe potential, alternative pathways to achieve a greenhouse gas neutral and resource-efficient economy in Germany by the year 2050. At the conference, these scenarios will be presented and discussed with experts and stakeholders from across the world. Further, implication for the wider policy context will be explored, drawing on the work of other institutions and individuals in this field. 

The conference is expected to gather 150 experts and decision-makers in the fields of policy development, industry, academia and civil society, from Germany, Europe and around the globe.

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