Resource efficiency the ‘secret weapon’ in environmental battle

London - The UK’s first research into how resource efficiency can help the UK meet its climate change targets shows that making better use of our natural resources could contribute as much as 10% of the target reduction in UK domestic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2020.

Commissioned by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme), and conducted by the Stockholm Environment Institute, the research will be launched at WRAP’s Annual Conference in London. The research covers UK domestic emissions and those related to our consumption of goods and services imported from abroad.

In terms of consumer emissions (including imports), resource efficiency could reduce these by 8% by 2050 - importantly, without any negative impact on UK GDP.

While much of the discussion around climate change targets to date has focussed on energy production, this research shows how resource efficiency provides a much broader scope and presents the opportunity for immediate action. This includes potential ways of increasing resource efficiency in the production and consumption of goods and services.

For production the ideas included: lightweighting, using different and less environmentally damaging materials, using less materials to achieve the same result, building sustainably (such as with recovered materials) and making best use of our existing infrastructure, rather than building something new. Of these, lightweighting or ‘lean production’ is by far the most effective strategy. This shows the importance of good design to reduce the environmental impact of products.

For consumption, the strategies suggested were: using goods to the end of their life, changing our diets and reducing food waste, renting instead of buying some products (eg/ high end clothing), and taking goods to be refurbished. Of the total household spend in 2004 of £732 billion; we have identified £143 billion of expenditure on goods that householders could have used for longer. For example, clothing is only being used for 66% of its lifespan when it could be used for the full 100%.

If householders used that £143 bn of goods right to the end of their life, instead of throwing them away early and buying new products, they would save up to £47.3bn a year.

The research found that resource efficiency could have an immediate impact in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions – saving up to 254m tonnes over the next ten years.

Liz Goodwin, WRAP CEO said: "This is the first piece of research which shows the significant impact that UK resource efficiency could have on the environment and the economy. Until now, making best use of our natural resources has not been high enough on the agenda as one of the contributors to meeting climate change targets.

"In the run up to Copenhagen, this research has an important message. It shows that resource efficiency could prove a secret weapon as it allows immediate action to meet pressing and challenging targets."

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn added: "Businesses are facing challenging times, today more so than ever, so finding ways to save money makes a lot of sense. There are opportunities here in the UK too in the low carbon and environmental goods and services, where we currently have just over three percent of the global market. This will grow as consumers become increasingly environmentally aware and companies realise that waste is just a resource in another form and that sustainability is the key not only to the environment but to business success. Now is the time to shape our businesses of the future.”

The survey, commissioned to explore business attitudes to making best use of natural resources, found that companies believe their green initiatives are saving money. A total of 61% of those questioned said their business had implemented environmental changes over the last year to cut costs. The same number (61%) had implemented changes to meet CSR or environmental objectives.

Companies were asked about a range of resource efficiency measures including: reducing energy consumption, cutting travel by using video/teleconference facilities, reducing water use, recycling more and investing in new processes or technology to decrease the use of natural resources.

All those who recycled more to cut costs were asked what their company did to minimise use of natural resources and prevent waste. The highest number (73%) had increased e-communications (rather than printed or written), 68% had set machines to print double-sided, with 59% increasing the use of recycled materials and 51% increasing re-use of materials.

25% of those questioned said that their Board spent more time this year discussing how to use resources more efficiently.