Two weeks ago Stefan Giljum gave two talks in the course of a linked series of events concerning the topic “Measuring Europe’s Resource Use”. Stefan Giljum presented an indicator set developed by Friends of the Earth Europe together with Sustainable Europe Research Institute which aims at being a workable yet effective solution to the problem of how to measure Europe’s use of the world’s resources. More
Resource efficiency is rising up the European agenda, with the new Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik adopting it as one of his priorities, and a resource efficiency ‘roadmap’ in the EU2020 strategy. But what is resource efficiency – what’s the global impact of Europe’s resource use – and why isn’t the EU currently even measuring how much of the world’s resources we use?
Friends of the Earth Europe invited to a linked series of events where these important questions were discussed and some solutions were provided. Friends of the Earth Europe has been working with Sustainable Europe Research Institute in Vienna to try to come to a workable yet effective solution to the problem of how to measure Europe’s use of the world’s resources. We have proposed four resource use indicators: material use, water use, land use and GHG emissions.
In the course of the events Stefan Giljum presented the indicator set, the implications of these indicators on EU policymaking were discussed, and the benefits of monitoring and reducing our resource use were highlighted.
You can download the presentation here.
The following events were held:
Monday 31st May: Seminar and Workshop – Potential application of resource use measurement in our campaigns – and can we add in some social indicators?
Theseminar and workshop was designed to provide an opportunity to examine the campaigning and policy applications of measuring Europe’s resource use indicators. As part of this parallel workshops were held on potential areas of work, including CAP reform, and a special workshop, led by Saamah Abdallah of the New Economics Foundation, looking at the potential to develop social indicators that could also be part of a ‘Beyond GDP’ approach.
Tuesday 1st June: Conference – Measuring Europe’s Resource Use: A vital tool in creating a resource efficient EU
A seminar and discussion for NGOs, academics and policymakers on how these indicators could be used in EU policy making, hosted by Chris Davies MEP and Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP. Speakers included Stefan Giljum from Sustainable Europe Research Institute, Steve Evans from Cranfield University and Michael Warhurst from Friends of the Earth, followed by an MEP panel discussion and opportunity to ask questions. Download Stefan Giljum’s presentation here.
Wednesday 2nd June: Workshop – Campaigning for Resource use measurement – next steps
This workshop was held to discuss next steps in campaigning for EU resource use measurement, including how to interact with the various EU processes, e.g. the EU2020 roadmap, Beyond GDP, review of the Thematic Strategy on Natural Resources. It was primarily aimed at FOEE groups and other NGOs that are keen to participate in this campaign.
