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A Policy Mix for Resource Efficiency in the EU: Key Instruments, Challenges and Research Needs

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  • Wilts, Henning
  • O'Brien, Meghan

Abstract

Against the background of an often wasteful use of natural resources, the European Union has made resource efficiency a top policy priority. Policy formulation is, however, at a very early stage in many Member States, with often vague notions of what resource efficiency means, characterised by fragmented instruments and overlapping competencies. This paper develops a conceptual framework for defining, assessing and developing resource efficiency policy mixes. It argues that a mix of policies and instruments is best suited to overcoming the complex challenges of the 21st Century. Such a mix addresses multiple resource domains at a strategic, high level and contains interacting instruments targeting multiple actors, levels of governance and sectors and life-cycle stages of resource use. This paper looks at criteria for effective resource efficiency policy instruments, presents both an indicative policy mix across 9 policy domains and case studies (on environmental harmful subsidies, supply chain efficiency in food systems and product-service systems) and identifies key challenges to overcome trade-offs in instrument design, maximise synergies, reduce conflicts, promote coherence, coordinate activities and move from theory to practice. Research needs are discussed regarding who shall devise, implement, and coordinate such a policy mix, considering negotiating power, timing and complexity.

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  • Wilts, Henning & O'Brien, Meghan, 2019. "A Policy Mix for Resource Efficiency in the EU: Key Instruments, Challenges and Research Needs," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 59-69.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:155:y:2019:i:c:p:59-69
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2018.05.004
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    3. Guglielmo Maria Caporale & Cristiana Donati & Nicola Spagnolo, 2023. "European SMEs and Resource Efficiency Measures: Firm Characteristics and Contextual Factors," CESifo Working Paper Series 10799, CESifo.
    4. Jakob T. Pruess, 2023. "Unraveling the complexity of extended producer responsibility policy mix design, implementation, and transfer dynamics in the European Union," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(6), pages 1500-1520, December.
    5. Leonidas Milios, 2021. "Towards a Circular Economy Taxation Framework: Expectations and Challenges of Implementation," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    6. Tobias Wendler, 2019. "About the Relationship Between Green Technology and Material Usage," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 74(3), pages 1383-1423, November.
    7. Ren, Qiuzhen & Albrecht, Johan, 2023. "Toward circular economy: The impact of policy instruments on circular economy innovation for European small medium enterprises," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    8. Ewa Mazur-Wierzbicka, 2021. "Towards Circular Economy—A Comparative Analysis of the Countries of the European Union," Resources, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-25, May.
    9. Andy Yuille & Shane Rothwell & Lynsay Blake & Kirsty J. Forber & Rachel Marshall & Richard Rhodes & Claire Waterton & Paul J. A. Withers, 2022. "UK Government Policy and the Transition to a Circular Nutrient Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-19, March.
    10. Andrea Molocchi, 2021. "Circular Economy and Environmental Sustainability: A Policy Coherence Analysis of Current Italian Subsidies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-38, July.
    11. Mazzarano, Matteo, 2022. "Material governance and circularity policies: How waste policies and innovation affect household appliances' accumulation," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).

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