The European Commission has launched three online consultations with a range of stakeholders, to help develop: a roadmap for a resource-efficient Europe; the EU's position for the UNCSD; and a European strategy for a bio-based economy.
25 February 2011: The European Commission has launched three online consultations on: policy options to encourage a switch to a more efficient use of natural resources in the European economy; the EU’s position at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio 2012); and a European bio-based economy. The consultations run until mid-April 2011.
The consultation on resource efficiency will feed into a roadmap for a resource-efficient Europe expected in July-August 2011, focusing on: resource use, scarcities, current obstacles and major areas of concern; policy areas that could be included in the roadmap; and options for encouraging individual shifts of behavior. The consultation is open to public authorities, the private sector, environmental stakeholders and interested citizens. Resource-Efficient Europe is one of the flagship initiatives of Europe 2020, the EU’s strategy for jobs and growth.
The second consultation will help elaborate the EU position for the UNCSD. The consultation will feed into a communication on the EU position to be published in April-May 2011, and into subsequent discussions with other EU institutions. It is open to all stakeholders in the EU and in other countries.
The third consultation focuses on the state and future potential of Europe’s bio-based economy. In addition to looking at resource efficiency issues, the consultation explores the potential of the bio-based economy to foster innovation and address societal challenges. The results will support the preparation of a European strategy and action plan towards a sustainable, bio-based economy by 2020. [EU Press Release] [Online Consultations Website]