G7 Alliance for Resource Efficiency chairs’ summary for the meeting, 22 to 23 September 2021
Published 27 October 2021
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Background
On 22 to 23 September 2021, the UK G7 Presidency convened a meeting of the G7 Alliance for Resource Efficiency. The Presidency focused on the importance of resource efficiency, highlighting the economic, social, and environmental benefits of a shift towards more resource efficient economies and the use of circular economy strategies to do so.
On the first day, we welcomed technical experts from the US, Canada, Germany, Japan, Italy, and the EU Commission to review the Alliance’s progress under the Bologna Roadmap including next steps for the Alliance. On the second day, we organised a workshop to explore issues around measuring resource efficiency. This was attended by all G7 countries as well as technical experts from G20 countries Argentina, Australia, Indonesia, Mexico, Spain, Turkey, and The Republic of Korea.
Discussion on the Bologna roadmap
22 September 2021
Key points from the discussion included:
Resource efficiency is increasingly a priority for many governments, due to its multiple values in mitigating climate change and biodiversity loss and preventing waste, with many members highlighting the nexus between these goals in their plans.
Delegates affirmed the importance of the Alliance for Resource Efficiency in strengthening international collaboration and the benefit of the Bologna Roadmap being renewed. Re-envisioning the roadmap was discussed with regard to:
- timeframes, targets, metrics, and benefits of digitalisation
- developing resource efficiency or circular economy principles
Delegates provided updates on their actions on recycling including relevant national recycling strategies, including a focus on plastic with substantial levels of funding being pledged by some to address the marine plastics pollution problem.
Actions to take resource efficiency beyond recycling were emphasized including on product design, addressing single use plastics, and improving consumer information.
The importance of addressing food waste from a carbon and environmental justice perspective was discussed, noting the example of surplus food distribution programmes and collaboration across countries including those of the Global South.
The broader theme of environmental justice and resource usage was raised, exploring the economic impacts of altering patterns of resource usage and the need for capacity building and assistance.
The value of the International Resource Panel (IRP) and OECD was noted.
Workshop on resource efficiency measuring and monitoring
23 September 2021
The second day explored possible metrics for measuring resource efficiency at a national level followed by exploration of the potential to use resource efficiency to achieve climate mitigation goals and how reporting and measuring could be used to support such action.
The key points that emerged from joint discussions by G7 and G20 partners included:
The benefits of developing a framework of indicators, including based on the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) metrics, to give insight into wider benefits of resource efficiency, as well as to support waste management and material flows, were discussed.
Developing and filling gaps in waste and material flow statistics and common definitions were identified as foundational for effective action on resource efficiency.
Recognised of the significant opportunity for countries to learn from one another in guiding where, and how, to focus efforts to improve measurement, particularly in growing areas of interest such as the circular economy.
Guidance to the private sector relating to tracking comparable and meaningful reporting metrics was highlighted.
Input-output approaches to produce consumption-based material flow measures were recognised as valuable for giving insight into the link between resource efficiency and carbon emissions.
The potential for resource efficiency and improved waste management to reduce territorial and consumption emissions was discussed. Countries flagged difficulties of doing so within established emissions accounting frameworks.
Measuring resource usage and circular economy strategies, for example recycling policies with regard to carbon reduction, was identified as vital to enable policymakers to leverage circular economy strategies for climate mitigation purposes.
Developing reporting protocols to support measurements with regard to greenhouse gas emissions was recognised as important, including looking at full lifecycle benefits of resource efficiency solutions.