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A Policy Mix for Resource Efficiency in the EU: Key Instruments, Challenges and Research Needs

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  • Wilts, Henning
  • O'Brien, Meghan
Abstract
Against the background of an often wasteful use of natural resources, the European Union has made resource efficiency a top policy priority. Policy formulation is, however, at a very early stage in many Member States, with often vague notions of what resource efficiency means, characterised by fragmented instruments and overlapping competencies. This paper develops a conceptual framework for defining, assessing and developing resource efficiency policy mixes. It argues that a mix of policies and instruments is best suited to overcoming the complex challenges of the 21st Century. Such a mix addresses multiple resource domains at a strategic, high level and contains interacting instruments targeting multiple actors, levels of governance and sectors and life-cycle stages of resource use. This paper looks at criteria for effective resource efficiency policy instruments, presents both an indicative policy mix across 9 policy domains and case studies (on environmental harmful subsidies, supply chain efficiency in food systems and product-service systems) and identifies key challenges to overcome trade-offs in instrument design, maximise synergies, reduce conflicts, promote coherence, coordinate activities and move from theory to practice. Research needs are discussed regarding who shall devise, implement, and coordinate such a policy mix, considering negotiating power, timing and complexity.

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  • Wilts, Henning & O'Brien, Meghan, 2019. "A Policy Mix for Resource Efficiency in the EU: Key Instruments, Challenges and Research Needs," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 59-69.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:155:y:2019:i:c:p:59-69
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2018.05.004
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Andy Yuille & Shane Rothwell & Lynsay Blake & Kirsty J. Forber & Rachel Marshall & Richard Rhodes & Claire Waterton & Paul J. A. Withers, 2022. "UK Government Policy and the Transition to a Circular Nutrient Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-19, March.
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    5. Liu, Xiaofeng & Miao, Haoran & Zhou, Wenxiang & Qiu, Yumin, 2024. "The impact of government procurement on green technological innovation: Evidence from manufacturing sector in china," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    6. Andrea Molocchi, 2021. "Circular Economy and Environmental Sustainability: A Policy Coherence Analysis of Current Italian Subsidies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-38, July.
    7. Tobias Wendler, 2019. "About the Relationship Between Green Technology and Material Usage," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 74(3), pages 1383-1423, November.
    8. Lozano, Sebastián & Gutiérrez, Ester & Susaeta, Andrés, 2025. "Forest efficiency assessment and prediction using dynamic DEA and machine learning," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    9. Mazzarano, Matteo, 2022. "Material governance and circularity policies: How waste policies and innovation affect household appliances' accumulation," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    10. Ren, Qiuzhen & Albrecht, Johan, 2023. "Toward circular economy: The impact of policy instruments on circular economy innovation for European small medium enterprises," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    11. Nikos Chatzistamoulou & Kostas Kounetas, 2023. "Tracing green growth through industrial resource efficiency patterns: The role of competitiveness and clean technologies," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 44(7), pages 4011-4026, October.
    12. Valve, Helena & Lazarevic, David & Humalisto, Niko, 2021. "When the circular economy diverges: The co-evolution of biogas business models and material circuits in Finland," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    13. Ewa Mazur-Wierzbicka, 2021. "Towards Circular Economy—A Comparative Analysis of the Countries of the European Union," Resources, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-25, May.
    14. Leonidas Milios, 2021. "Towards a Circular Economy Taxation Framework: Expectations and Challenges of Implementation," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 1(2), pages 477-498, September.
    15. Losa, Riccardo, 2025. "Public policies on circular economy: A systematic review," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
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    17. Guglielmo Maria Caporale & Cristiana Donati & Nicola Spagnolo, 2023. "European SMEs and Resource Efficiency Measures: Firm Characteristics and Contextual Factors," CESifo Working Paper Series 10799, CESifo.

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