The emergence of lead markets,
such as for the use of wind
energy, requires political will, a
long-term and integrated strategy
and favourable conditions such
as for innovation.
Credit: Jim Wark/Still Pictures
and too few signs of environment for development.
For example, sustainable use of energy resources
is vital not only in order to tackle environmental
problems but also for economic development. A
number of pan-regional plans have been initiated
to develop common energy policy objectives,
promote more sustainable energy production and
consumption and ensure stability of supply. Howev-
er, the emergence of new markets, such as for the
use of wind and solar energy, requires political will,
a long-term and integrated strategy and favourable
conditions such as for innovation.
Both poverty and consumption are factors in envi-
ronmental degradation. All people – rich and poor,
urban and rural, and in all the world’s regions –
depend on environmental goods-and-services. The
over-arching objective is to decouple economic
growth from environmental damage in both the
developed and developing countries. The chal-
lenge is to foster “environment for development” in
the developing world, while simultaneously slowing
consumption in the developed world.
One of the main messages in developing policies
for SCP is that one single instrument will not fix the
problem; it is necessary to design a package of dif-
ferent instruments, including regulatory frameworks,
The emergence of lead markets, such as for the use of wind energy, requires political
will, a long-term and integrated strategy and favourable conditions such as for
voluntary measures and economic instruments.
innovation.
Credit: Jim Wark/Still Pictures
Likewise, it is important to actively involve all stake-
holders: government, industry, business, advertising,
academia, consumer associations, environmental
NGOs, trade unions and the general public. In
addition, there is a need for sectoral approaches in
order to modify the unsustainable systems of con-
sumption and production.
Identifying interlinkages offers opportunities for more
effective responses at the national, regional and
global levels and provides the basis for applying
measures where they are most effective, based on
trade-offs among different interests in society and
in a complementary manner. Such measures may
facilitate the transition towards a more sustainable
society.
Innovative solar power has promoted the use of renewable energy.
Credit: Frans Ijserinkhuijsen
Innovative solar power has
promoted the use of renewable
energy.
64 VITAL GEO GRAPHICS
Credit: Frans Ijserinkhuijsen
RESOURCE EFFICIENCY