The world’s natural resources are limited and are being consumed at an ever-increasing rate, thanks to the growing global population. This leads to increased competition and rising prices, especially for resources such as oil, cobalt and rare earths.
At the same time, the extraction of natural resources causes environmental damage such as emissions of greenhouse gasses, pollution of our air, water and soil and a reduction in biodiversity. We must ensure a sustainable future and learn to use natural resources efficiently while protecting the environment. Experts are looking for ways to establish and expand the kind of sustainable growth strategy and lasting efficiency gains promoting the development of sustainable economic systems such as green economy, circular economy and bioeconomy.
Resource efficiency, the materials-related equivalent of energy efficiency, is a core strategy for manufacturing companies to remain competitive. The potential
contribution of resource efficiency to reducing climate change has recently come into focus and has proven to be an effective way to reduce environmental impact. The purpose of this assessment is to highlight synergies between the conservation of material resources and the reduction of greenhouse gasses at a global level.
The focus is on main sectors, such as buildings, transport, consumer goods etc. The idea is to steadily replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources in the transport, industrial and heating sectors. To create new business opportunities and significant optimization within a changing energy system.
Scientists hope for new, resilient answers to some of the fundamental challenges facing society today, such as resource and energy consumption, climate change and the long-term relationship between humans and nature. The climate is one of the four focus areas in Switzerland’s strategy for international cooperation 2021–2024. by systematically taking into
account risks for the climate, opportunities to promote climate and environmentally friendly investments and measures for adaptation to climate change when designing new projects.
