Living within the safe operating space: a vision for a resource efficient Europe

• DOI: 10.1007/s40309-014-0048-3
• Publication Date: 2014-12-17T12:26:47Z
• Authors: Meghan O’Brien; Franziska Hartwig; Karin Schanes; Moritz Kammerlander; Ines Omann; Henning Wilts; Raimund Bleischwitz; Jill Jäger
• Keywords: ddc:600; 13. Climate action; 11. Sustainability; 8. Economic growth; 05 social sciences; 1. No poverty; resource efficiency / visions / sustainable development pathways / green and inclusive economy / policies / eco-innovation; 0509 other social sciences; 7. Clean energy; 12. Responsible consumption

A desirable future critically depends on our ability to ensure the supply of key resources while simultaneously respecting planetary boundaries. This paper looks at the po- tential implications of living within the "safe operating space" for people, business and the economy. It develops a positive visionofthe futurebased onthree pillars:a safeand fairuse of global resources, a sustainable society, and a transformed economy.Wereviewandbuildonrecentsustainabilityvisions to develop a holistic reflection on what life in 2050 could look like, and explore the key changes in the economy needed to get there. In particular we show that resource efficiency re- quires a systemic shift in values, innovation, governance and management regimes. We present a bold vision for Europe underlined by indicators and targets, explore transition chal- lenges to getting there and conclude with a list of key policies needed for overcoming challenges and reaching the vision.