1 2 “Decoupling” means that increases in economic output and human well being is disconnected from the increase in the use of resources and associated environmental impacts. If the rate of resource use is slowed due to efficiency gains, it is termed “relative decoupling”.
When resource use is actually declining is it termed “absolute decoupling”. Absolute decoupling takes places once economies are fully resource efficient and circular, i.e. existing resources are reused and stay in the production cycle and there are no resources that are wasted or disposed. An absolute decoupling will sustaining resource use and the delivery of ecosystem goods and services for today’s and future generations and will allow to live on a pollution free environment.
3 The chart shows the global material extraction between 1970 and 2010 by key material categories: • Non-metallic minerals (such as construction material) • Metal ores • Fossil Fuels • Biomass
Material extraction has tripled between1970 to 2010 from 22 billion tons to 70 billion tons per year. With the current trend, material extraction is set to almost triple again by 2050, i.e. by 2050 we would be extracting 180 billion tons of material each year. This has implications for material/resource availability to meet growth needs, but also for the environmental footprint associated with the material extraction and use.
4 The vision for the subprogramme, its expected accomplishments and impact are aligned to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The Resource Efficiency Programme is highly cross-cutting in nature and there is hardly a Sustainable Development Goal that does not have targets and/or indicators that are relevant to resource efficiency, green economy and sustainable consumption and production. The key relevant Sustainable Development Goals are highlighted above.
The Resource Efficiency Programme has three main pillars of work:
1. The first pillar is focused on creating an enabling policy environment to support countries’ transition to inclusive green economy or similar pathways. The aim is to support the adoption and implementation of these polices that can come in the form of green national development strategies and plans and/or Sustainable Consumption and Production action plans. The envisaged impact is increased resource efficiency which is directly linked to • Sustainable Development Goal 12, Sustainable Consumption and Production, targets: 12. 1 [10 Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production implementation], 12.2 [sustainable management of natural resources], 12 a [strengthen countries’ scientific and technological capacity to adopt sustainable consumption and production patterns] • Sustainable Development Goal 8, Sustainable, Sustained and Inclusive Economy Growth, target: 8.4 [improve global resource efficiency and sustainable consumption and production] • Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities, target: 11 b [Integrated policies for resource efficiency] • Sustainable Development Goal 17: Global Partnerships, target: 17.9 [develop
5 measurements of progress on sustainable development that complement gross domestic product]
2. The second pillar supports the private sector in adopting more sustainable management practices with the overall goal to increase investments in sustainable and green economies, such as through decarbonization of investments but also through the introduction of cleaner production methods throughout value chains in key sectors. Key Sustainable Development Goals that are linked to this pillar are: • Sustainable Development Goal 8, Sustainable, Sustained and Inclusive Economy Growth, target: 8.4 [improve global resource efficiency and sustainable consumption and production], 8.8 [Implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products] • Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, target: 9.5 [upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors, encouraging innovation] • Sustainable Development Goal 12, Sustainable Consumption and Production, targets: 12.6 [companies adopt sustainable practices and integrate sustainability information into to reporting cycle], 12 a [strengthen countries’ scientific and technological capacity to adopt sustainable consumption and production patterns], 12 b [promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs] • Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities, target: 11 c [building sustainable and resilient buildings]
3. The third pillar of work focusses on the promotion of sustainable lifestyles with the aim to have sustainable lifestyles and consumption patterns fully adopted. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals include: • Sustainable Development Goal 12, Sustainable Consumption and Production, targets: 12. 1 [10 Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production implementation], 12.3 [half global food waste by 2030], 12.7 [Sustainable Public Procurement], 12.8 [information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyle] • Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education, target: 4.7 [Knowledge and Skills for Sustainable Lifestyles]
The achievement of the respective expected accomplishments is supported by various products and services, such as: • Scientific Assessments, Knowledge Management Services • Economic, trade and fiscal policy research, analysis, methodologies • Capacity Development, Training, Secretariat Services • Tools and best practices for public and private sectors • Sustainability reporting and life-cycle assessments • Economic analysis, technical and policy guidance • Behavioral and Sustainable Lifestyles Research, policy services • Consumer information and lifestyle education tools and services • Outreach tools, campaigns and awareness raising
5 This slide provides an overview, in summarized form, of the initiatives and projects attached to the 3 expected accomplishments of the subprogramme.
Expected Accomplishment A [full text as per Programme of Work 2016-2017]: Cross-sectoral scientific assessments, research and tools for sustainable consumption and production and the green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication are developed, shared and applied by policymakers, including in urban practices
Projects/Initiatives associated: • International Resource Panel • Green Growth Knowledge Platform • Green Economy Initiative • Inquiry into the Design of a sustainable financial system • 10 Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns • Partnership for Action on Green Economy • Environment and Trade Hub • Resource Efficient Cities • SWITCH to Green Med, Asia projects • Sustainable Consumption and Production in Brazil • Greening Economies in the European Union's Eastern Neighbourhood • Green Economy Transition in Africa
Expected Accomplishment B: [full text as per Programme of Work 2016-2017]: Uptake of sustainable consumption and production and green economy instruments and management practices in sectoral policies and in business and financial operations across global supply
6 chains is increased, in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication
Projects/Initiatives associated: • UN Environment Finance Initiative • Resource Efficiency in Business Practices/Eco-innovation • Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (Network), • Sustainability Reporting • SWITCH Africa Green • Sustainable Buildings and Construction • Sustainable Food Systems • Sustainable Tourism
Expected Accomplishment C: [full text as per Programme of Work 2016-2017]: Enabling conditions for promoting more sustainable consumption choices and lifestyles are enhanced
Projects/Initiatives associated: • Sustainable Lifestyles • Food Waste, Campaigns (Think.Eat.Save) • Consumer Information • Life-Cycle Approach • Behavioural Change, Conscious Consumers
6 Overall Progress against the Expected Accomplishment Indicators:
Overall progress towards achieving the expected accomplishments targets and indicators is satisfactory for the subprogramme: There are 5 indicators in total, 2 linked to Expected Accomplishment A, 1 linked to Expected Accomplishment B, and 2 linked to Expected Accomplishment C. The diagram provides an overview with the labels indicating whether the respective December 2016 target has been achieved or not.
Four of the five indicators have been overachieved, one indicator has been partially achieved.
Expected Accomplishment A: • Indicator i): achievement of targeted increase 110% • Indicator ii): achievement of targeted increase 3184%
Expected Accomplishment B: • Indicator i): achievement of targeted increase 135%
Expected Accomplishment C: • Indicator i): achievement of targeted increase 120% • Indicator ii): achievement of targeted increase 60%
7 Expected Accomplishment A, indicator i):
This indicator measures the number of countries and cities that have adopted and/or are already implementing Inclusive Green Economy and Sustainable Consumption and Production Action plans:
• Starting from a baseline of 38 in Dec 2015, 10 additional countries and 1 region have adopted and/or are already implementing Inclusive Green Economy and Sustainable Consumption and Production Action plans, bringing the cumulative count to 49 as at Dec 2016. With that the December target of 48 has been exceeded. • Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia have adopted Sustainable Consumption and Production National Action Plans, with Egypt, Jordan, and Palestine having commended with implementation. Bhutan, China, Indonesia, Israel, Vietnam, and Malaysia have also adopted respective actions plans but have not been included into the annual indicator count again since these counties were already count within the overall reporting period for similar policies or action plans. • The Asia-Pacific Region has adopted a Regional Sustainable Consumption and Production Roadmap 2016-2018. • Colombia has adopted a National development plan with a chapter on green growth. • National Green Economy Action Plan for the Republic of Belarus (2016-2020) was approved by the Council of Ministers in December 2016 • Cambodia: Sustainable Consumption and Production has been mainstreamed into new environmental code (laws and regulatory framework). The environmental code now reflects Sustainable Consumption and Production with key provisions such as Extended Producer Responsibility.
8 Map Overview Expected Accomplishment A, indicator i)
9 Expected Accomplishment A, indicator ii):
This indicator is a proxy for measuring the uptake of scientific assessments and reports produced by the International Resource Panel and on Inclusive Green Economy. The target of +50 against the baseline of 1786 as at Dec 2015 has been exceeded by far indicating a strongly growing interest in the panel’s scientific assessments and a confirmation of their relevance.
In 2016, 1592 additional references have been count, bringing the total number of reference since 2011 to 3378. Out of the 1542 references made in 2016: • 1441 references were made by academia and research institutions • 99 references were made by International Organizations • 23 references were made by Governments • 29 references were made by the private sector
Key International Resource Panel Reports launched in 2016: • Options for Decoupling Economic Growth from Water Use and Water Pollution: http://apps.unep.org/publications/index.php?option=com_pub&task=download&file=0 12014_en • Unlocking the Sustainable Potential of Land Resources: Evaluation Systems, Strategies and Tools: http://apps.unep.org/publications/index.php?option=com_pub&task=download&file=0 12176_en • Food Systems and Natural Resources: http://apps.unep.org/publications/index.php?option=com_pub&task=download&file=0 12067_en
10 • Global Material Flows and Resource Productivity: http://unep.org/documents/irp/16- 00271_LW_GlobalMaterialFlowsUNE_SUMMARY_FINAL_160701.pdf • Based on a request from the G7, the Panel also issued a summary report titled Resource Efficiency: Potential and Economic Implications. http://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/7585/G9Resourcereport%20L WRES-3.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
10 Expected Accomplishment B, indicator i):
This indicator measures the adoption and implementation of sustainable practices and policies across priority sectors as well as among small and medium enterprises, UN Environment supported.
Against a baseline of 222 as at December 2015, 27 additional adoptions can be reported bringing to overall count to 249, exceeding the target of 242 that was set for December 2016.
11 Expected Accomplishment C, indicator i) and indicator ii):
There are two indicators attached to the Expected Accomplishment: one measures the adoption of sustainable consumption practices and the other sustainable lifestyles projects UN Environment has catalyzed.
Indicator c) i): adoption of sustainable consumption practices (such as the adoption of sustainable public procurement policies and plans): Against a baseline of 82 as at December 2015, 12 additional results were recorded bringing the indicator count to 94 as at December 2016, slightly exceeding the target of 92. • Brazil, Ecuador, Morocco have adopted Sustainable Public Procurement Policies (with Brazil already count against the indicator in 2015, i.e. it has not been count again.) • Morocco: 10 Hotels measured and disclosed their sustainability performance based on life- cycle assessment methodology
Indicator c) ii): catalyze sustainable lifestyle projects Against a baseline of 28 as at December 2015, 6 additional results were recorded bringing the indicator count to 34 as at December 2016, partially achieving the performance target set for December 2016 (38), 60%.
12 Sustainable Public Procurement:
Light Shade: Countries that have initiated work on Sustainable Public Procurement (2011-2016) Work initiated: Argentina, Belarus, India, Ivory Coast, Maldives, Moldova, Mongolia, Panama, Peru, Sri Lanka, Togo, Vietnam
Dark Shade: Countries that have adopted Sustainable Public Procurement Policies and/or started with policy implementation (2011-2016) Policy Adoption: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Moldova, Morocco, Ukraine
Policy Implementation: Mauritius, Costa Rica
13 For details please refer to the report on the Implementation of the Resolutions of the Second Session of the United Nations Development Assembly.
14 For details please refer to the report on the Implementation of the Resolutions of the Second Session of the United Nations Development Assembly.
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