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The German Resource
Efficiency Programme R esource efficiency is essential for transitioning to a green economy. Decoupling economic growth from resource use would help in alleviating the problem of resource scarcity. In this context, the pioneering efforts of Germany are noteworthy.The German governments National Sustainability Strategy 2002 sets the goal of doubling raw material productivity by 2020 as compared to 1994. The German Resource Efficiency Programme (ProgRess) 2012 is designed to help achieve this target. ProgRess is about securing a sustainable raw material supply, raising resource efficiency in production, making consumption more resource-efficient and enhancing resource-efficient closed cycle management. The programme is shaped by four guiding principles: Joining ecological necessities with economic opportunities, innovation support and social responsibility Viewing global responsibility as key focus of the national policy Gradually making economic and production practices in Germany less dependent on primary resources, developing and expanding closed cycle management Securing sustainable resource use for the long term by guiding society towards quality growth ProgRess identifies 20 strategic approaches along the value chain to enhance resource efficiency. Resource Efficiency in the German Construction Sector Construction is a resource intensive sector. In 2008, the building sector used about 580 million tonnes of gravel, sand, broken quarry stone and industrial by-products; 67 million tonnes of recycled mineral building materials; 28 million tonnes cement and 5.5 million tonnes steel. Consequent pressures on resources necessitate decoupling1. The National Sustainability Strategy aims to reduce land for housing and transport to 30 hectares per day by 2020. This target aims to reduce inefficient expansion of settlements and infrastructures. In order to improve resource management in the sector, the German government aims to: step up research and development relating to lifecycle management of buildings, infrastructure and entire urban districts organise interchange of experiences on best-practices examples, innovative technologies and efficient methods of organisation improve the integration of the impacts of demographic change and internal migration within Germany through designation of building zones ProgRess adopts a multitude of approaches to
incorporate resource efficiency in the construction sector. Some of the
approaches include: Life-cycle assessment of buildings under the Sustainable Building Assessment Scheme (BNB) for new office and administrative buildings. Regulations on buildings and building materials. For example, the German government is already implementing requirements specified in the Guide to Sustainable Building. Certification systems for sustainable construction, which assess sustainability focusing on building materials. This provides an opportunity to incorporate the resource aspects at an early stage. Production of building materials from re-growable substances such as timber. Increasing the use of secondary raw materials. For example, use of secondary raw materials in clinker firing process in concrete production. Increasing recycling of construction and demolition waste. Capacity building of the stakeholders, including planners, engineers and architects involved in the construction process. Germany is one of the first European countries to develop a comprehensive resource efficiency programme. It has already demonstrated increased economic performance with reduced resource use. During the years, 2000 to 2010, there was strong economic growth but resource consumption decreased by 11.1%.The lessons learnt from the implementation of this programme should be documented and widely disseminated for replication by other countries. q D Varsha Endnotes
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