Three Scenario Narratives for a Resource-Efficient and Low-Carbon Europe in 2050

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Three Scenario Narratives for a Resource-Efficient and Low-Carbon Europe in 2050

Schanes, K; Jäger, J; Drummond, P; (2019) Three Scenario Narratives for a Resource-Efficient and Low-Carbon Europe in 2050. Ecological Economics , 155 pp. 70-79. 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2018.02.009. Green open access

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Abstract

Global trends in production and consumption and the associated use of natural resources are far from sustainable. There is a growing recognition of the need to tackle overexploitation of resources, including materials, land, water and carbon. However, transformations to a more resource-efficient economy and society are complex. This paper elaborates three possible scenarios for a resource-efficient economy in Europe. We describe three scenarios and characterize the key differences between them. The basis of the three scenarios - Global Cooperation, Europe Goes Ahead and Civil Society Leads - is very different governance models, worldviews and actors who drive the process. Each scenario encompasses a number of challenges, which are also described. A resource-efficient economy could be advanced through top-down agreements, through market-based mechanisms driving technological solutions, and through bottom-up behavioural changes and community based initiatives focusing on both efficiency and sufficiency. In reality, a combination of these approaches is likely to be required for the achievement of ambitious resource-efficiency targets in Europe.

Type:	Article
Title:	Three Scenario Narratives for a Resource-Efficient and Low-Carbon Europe in 2050
Open access status:	An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI:	10.1016/j.ecolecon.2018.02.009
Publisher version:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2018.02.009
Language:	English
Additional information:	This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords:	Resources, Resource efficiency, Sufficiency, Scenarios, Governance, Europe
UCL classification:	UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment > Bartlett School Env, Energy and Resources
URI:	https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10048070