Resource Efficiency

The need to make the most of our resources, or ‘do more with less’ has become increasingly important, given the challenge of reducing our fiscal deficit and with many having to tighten purse strings at home.

The efficient use of water, energy and materials, and the minimisation of waste can provide valuable bottom-line savings for public services, businesses and households.

Resource efficiency is also fundamental to addressing the great global challenges of the 21^st century: climate change, resource scarcity and security of supply.

Meeting rising demand simply by seeking to increase supply is no longer an option. 

For example, at a time when we increasingly rely on imported supplies of fossil fuels, we need to reduce demand in order to improve our energy security.  And alternative sources alone (i.e., renewables, nuclear or fossil fuels with carbon capture) will not be enough to meet our commitments under the Climate Change Act to cut UK carbon emissions by 34% by 2020 and at least 80% by 2050.  Energy efficiency – or as it has been termed ‘the fourth resource’ - must therefore be the foundation of our energy policy and a green economy.

• Low cost, low tech, high impact

  

  Resource efficiency can be achieved by simple cost-effective measures, and yet provide multiple benefits.

• Policy direction

  

  There are a number of policy developments influencing the resource efficiency agenda.

• Groundwork's experience

  

  The impacts of resource efficiency measures can be far reaching, but to be successful they must also be long-lasting.

• Energy Efficiency

  

  Energy is a big issue right now - but how can we be more energy efficient?