2016 Volume 27 Issue 4 Pages 260-268
In response to the invitation from the G7 Elmau Summit in 2015, the UNEP International Resource Panel submitted its assessment report on resource efficiency at the Toyama Environmental Ministers Meeting in May 2016. As background to the recent event, this article provides an overview of progress on international activities and the history of Japanese involvement around key concepts such as The 3Rs and resource efficiency. The International Resource Panel (IRP) was established in 2007 to provide scientific assessments that pertain to sustainable resource management. It has published nearly 20 assessment reports to date. The Summary for Policy Makers (SPM) of the resource efficiency report issues five key messages, including many references to Sustainable Development Goals and Climate Change Targets. The concluding chapter suggests the adoption of national and international targets for resource efficiency and the monitoring of progress toward them. A chapter on best practices points out the importance of a more cross-sectoral, cross-resource and full supply chain perspective.
