The Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe is a regional policy with a cross-sectoral approach. This policy designs a coherent action framework to ensure efficient use of water, land and marine resources, biodiversity, ecosystems, air, soil, fossil fuels, waste, and minerals in the cross-cutting policy areas and sectors, in order to transform the economy. Food production will be increased by becoming more resource efficient. Sustainable food choices will be promoted to ensure healthy nutrition, in line with the WHO recommendations on the amount of animal proteins, including meat and dairy products, consumed per person. A methodology will be developed for sustainability criteria for key food commodities to ensure food security. Agricultural production will be made more productive through optimized water use for agriculture, good farming practices, using fertile lands for agriculture, increasing biodiversity, and ecosystem preservation and restoration. Soil conservation and improvement will be enhanced by reversing soil loss, restoring organic matter content in soils, preventing soil damage, and reducing the use of pesticides. Sustainable fisheries management will be ensured to achieve maximum sustainable yields, taking into account the economic and social consequences for coastal zones. Fisheries conservation measures will be taken for the conservation and sustainability of marine resources and biodiversity, including restoring fish stocks; eliminating by-catch and discards; and eliminating destructive fishing techniques. Furthermore, marine and coastal areas will be protected against pollution from fertilizers and marine litter. Water efficiency and conservation measures will be implemented to improve the quality and availability of fresh water. Food safety and quality will be enhanced by ensuring clean water availability for quality products, and avoiding pollution from fertilizers and pesticides. Waste management will be strengthened in an environmentally friendly manner with an emphasis on efficient reuse and recycling and waste prevention. To this end, biodegradable and recyclable packaging will be used for food items. Food waste will be reduced throughout the food supply chain and composting of biowaste will be developed. Moreover, energy infrastructure will be developed and the use of fossil fuels will be reduced through increased energy efficiency and promotion of the use of renewable energy. Energy intensity of water and waste treatment will be reduced. Investments will be attracted in resource efficient research and innovation, especially from the private sector, to better understand, manage, reduce the use, reuse, recycle, substitute and safeguard and value resources. This policy lays down strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the energy, food, transportation, and construction sectors. Air quality will be maintained through effective pollution control arising from the use of fossil fuels and harmful substances. The dependency on fossil fuels will be reduced by improving fuel efficiency, using renewable energy, and phasing out conventionally-fuelled cars in cities by 2050. Climate change adaptation and mitigation will be integrated into sectoral policies. The resilience to flood and drought will be increased by taking preventive measures in the water sector.
2011-09-20