Scarcity of natural resources
Global scarcity of natural resources demands a transition towards a sustainable economy. The usage and production of energy, food, water and mineral resources have to be adapted to a situation in which demand is steeply rising and the resources stocks are shrinking. Ecosystems require protection and climate change affects availability and need for resources. The transition to a sustainable economy is the major challenge of our time.
The European Union stands at the forefront in the debate on sustainable management of natural resources. The EU has developed a raw materials strategy and the issue is related to the discussions on the EU's 2020 strategy, the Sustainable Development Strategy, the Common Agricultural Policy, the Energy Policy and the European Security Strategy.
The high-level conference "Enriching the Planet -Empowering Europe" discussed the role the EU could play in catalysing the transition towards a more sustainable economy in the Union and abroad. The conference dealt with what the EU could do internally, how it could energize its sustainability agenda internationally, and how it could respond to global developments in the shortage of natural resources.
The conference was organised by Clingendael Institute in close cooperation with the government of the Netherlands and with logistical support provided by MCCM. It was held on 26 April 2010 in the Hague.
The conclusions and papers of the conference can be downloaded here.
On our website you can find key literature sources and policy documents that focus on the causes and consequences of scarcity or resources. Policy documents on EU activities and strategies on the issue of scarcity of natural resources are listed as well.
