- Increasing materials intensity
- Improving efficiency of resource use
Context
The strategy of intensifying existing resource use gained prominence during the mid-20th century, as post-war population growth and industrial expansion placed unprecedented pressure on finite resources. Its significance was recognized amid the Green Revolution, where innovations in agricultural practices demonstrated new efficiencies. Over time, resource scarcity, environmental constraints, and sustainable development agendas further heightened global appreciation of maximizing yield from existing assets, driving research and policy initiatives focused on intensification as a means to balance demand and conservation.
Implementation
This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.
Claim
Economic activity is closely tied to consumption of materials. Cutting back on one can only be accomplished by cutting back on the other. However, many other opportunities exist for increasing the productivity of materials and energy use without sacrificing real human welfare.
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Related
Problem
Value
SDG
Metadata
Database
Global strategies
Type
(C) Cross-sectoral strategies
Subject
- Fundamental sciences » Material
- Cybernetics » Cybernetics
- Economics » Resource utilization
- Development » Reform
Content quality
Yet to rate
Language
English
1A4N
J0834
DOCID
12008340
D7NID
197848
Editing link
Official link
Last update
Dec 3, 2024