Global resource constraints
Unsustainable use of natural resources means they are running out. There is increased energy demand from rapidly developing countries but no new major oil fields have been found. A third of the world’s biodiversity has been lost since 1970 [1] with 1.8 billion people predicted to live in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity by 2025 [2].
What are the implications?
- Concern over the UK’s dependence on imported supplies due to a decline in oil and gas output from the UK.
- Reduction to global economic output and changes to global markets impacting on the performance of the UK economy.
- International tensions over resource allocation.
- Worldwide challenges to achieve more carbon efficient economies.
- Increase in international campaigns and movements around global resource constraints.
- Government legislation that imposes regulation on consumer behaviour and the operating context of all sectors, or green taxation.
- Role for local government to secure support for changes in behaviour and lifestyles, possibly facilitated by the Sustainable Communities Bill.
- Changes in procurement practice at both local and central government level as shown by the government’s recent sustainable procurement plan.
- Increasing interest in ethical living and consumerism.
- Pressure on the VCS to re-examine practices and policies and demonstrate it is behaving in an environmentally responsible way.
- Environmental awareness requiring high levels of investment may impact on resources available for core activities.
- Tough decisions for VCOs to align campaign priorities with resource constraints.
- Risk that the VCS is left behind as it is unable to invest up front in reducing carbon emissions.
- Increase in microgeneration (small scale electricity generation like windfarms.)
- The rising cost of fuel consumption may impact on VCOs that need to travel to deliver their services or that work in rural areas.
- Decreased personal mobility if restrictions on travel are imposed.
Moving forward
Much emphasis has been put on individual action to improve people's environmental footprint.
- How can your organisation capitalise on this enthusiasm to encourage collective action?
Global resource constraints and environmental responsibility concerns organisations of all sectors. Individuals are increasingly aware and critical of organisations that don’t practice what they preach and less likely to support your organisation or donate money.
- Is your organisation 'walking the talk'?
There is increasing pressure from funders and the public for organisations to invest in sustainable energy sources.
- Does your organisation understand the impact its services and practices may have on global resource constraints
- Has your organisation got the reporting systems in place to demonstrate and communicate this?
Private sector organisations may have the resources to better invest in more carbon friendly energy generation.
- How can your organisation get ahead of the game? Could you invest in an eco or energy audit of your services?
The impact of global resource constraints have resulted in a recent series of new government initiatives and legislation to achieve sustainable communities.
- The government's Sustainable Action Procurement Plan will impact on public service delivery and on the VCOs that provide public services. Is your organisation amongst them?
- The Sustainable Development Bill should provide more power to local communities to influence local strategies on sustainable communities. How will you ensure that you are part of this process?
Want to know more?
80% of people say they could reduce their carbon footprint
Published by: Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce (RSA) a charity working to remove the barriers to social progress.
Date: 2006
Format: Web
What is it? An article reporting on the findings of a statistical analysis of attitudes towards climate change and personal energy use.
How useful is this? This article includes useful figures and comments from a statistical analysis that forms part of a wider project looking at the potential of personal carbon allowances as a way of encouraging individuals to take greater personal responsibility for their carbon emissions in the future. The findings conclude that most people in the UK are able and willing to make changes in their everyday lives in order to reduce the impact of climate change and advocates personal carbon trading to facilitate this.
The UK Interdependence report: How the world sustains the nation’s lifestyles and the price it pays
Published by: New Economics Foundation – a think tankthat challenges mainstream thinking on economic, environment and social issues.
Date: 2007
Format: PDF (2.44MB) and Press release
What is it? A report examining the UK’s interdependence on global resources and the impact of high consumption lifestyles in the UK on the rest of the world.
How useful is this? The report looks at the picture of the UK’s resources use, identifying future challenges and suggesting solutions for: food self-sufficiency; energy independence; trade dependence; ecologically wasteful trade; dependence on health and educational workers from overseas; sports and entertainment; and economic transactions with the developing world. It uses the interesting concept of an ‘ecological debt day’ to demonstrate the impact of the UK’s resouces use. Its findings are mixed, showing that the UK is placing a huge burden on the rest of the world, but can also celebrate cultural richness. It raises questions about how the UK’s patterns of interdependence will have to change in the future if our economy and lifestyles are to become sustainable.
World Energy Outlook 2007 Edition - China and India Insights
Published by: International Energy Agency – An energy policy advisor to 26 Member countries to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy.
Date: 2007
Format: Web and PDF
What is it? An annual publication of medium and long-term energy market projections and analysis.
How useful is this? Although the full publication is not free to download the website contains useful information, including facts, figures and viewpoints on the energy market. It looks at potential policy scenarios for the future and particularly focuses on the impact of the fastest growing energy markets, in China and India on:international energy prices; investment needs and financing arrangements; energy-related greenhouse gas and other emissions; and energy and non-energy international trade flows.
Other comments: To be launched on 7th November 2007 but some details available from website.
Published by: IPPR – a left of centre think tank
Date: 2007
Format: PDF
What is it? A FactFile assessing the energy security challenges facing the UK’s electricity, transport and heating sectors including facts and figures as well as analysis.
How useful is this? This factfile is written in the wake of the Energy White Paper and highlights that a radical shift in energy supply and use is needed though the precise mix of measures is not clear. It provides an overview of the use of oil, gas and coal in the UK and globally and assesses the future threats to UK energy security. It then looks at potential solutions, the barriers to their implementation, and their impact on efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
World Energy Outlook 2009 Edition
Published by: International Energy Agency – An energy policy advisor to 28 Member countries to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy.
Date: 2009
Format: Web and PDF
What is it? An annual publication of medium and long-term energy market projections and analysis.
How useful is this? Although the full publication is not free to download the website contains useful information, including facts, figures and viewpoints on the energy market. It looks at potential policy scenarios for the future and examines the impact of the fastest growing energy markets, in China and India. It describes the effect the economic downturn has had on resource dependence, illustrating a decrease in energy investment. A prolonged downturn in investment threatens to constrain medium term capacity, potentially risking a future resource shortfall and a subsequent price surge.
Energy Security: A national challenge in a changing world
Published by: Department of Energy and Climate Change
Date: 2009
Format: PDF (848KB)
What is it? A government commissioned report examining how global trends and international developments are likely to affect the UK’s medium and long term energy security.
How useful is this? This report sets out to review worldwide energy security and how changes internationally are likely to impact upon UK energy strategy in the coming decades. It looks at global energy future forecast models in regards to supply and demand, how these are likely to affect UK energy security, the implications of these potential impacts and action that needs to be taken as a result of this analysis. This action needs to take place not just on an international scale (The UK for example is heavily reliant on imports so it is important therefore to ensure a diversity of supply with no over-reliance on a single region) but also in regards changes within our own borders (reducing reliance on fossil fuels, increasing usage efficiency, reduction of import risks etc).
I will if you will: towards sustainable consumption
Published by: National Consumer Council and the Sustainable Development Commission – an independent Government watchdog
Date: 2006
Format: PDF
What is it? This report sets out the benefits and possibility of a shift to more sustainable lifestyles, as an essential part of tackling environmental issues, including practical solutions and recommendations for the UK Government.
How useful is this? A detailed report that argues a shift to more sustainable lifestyles is both positive and possible, and that action needs to be taken to create a supportive framework for people to take up more sustainable habits and choices: I will if you will. Chapters 1-3 look at sustainable development and the relevant policies for people, businesses and government respectively. Chapter 4 looks at catalysts for change and makes government recommendations in four areas:homes; food; getting around; and holiday travel. Chapter 5 discusses the importance of showing people they are part of something bigger. Chapter 6 reflects on the issues and discusses the long-term challenges.
Recent comments
Kathryn
Third Sector ForesightInterestingly, research from McKinsey Quarterly (where they survey company executives about forces impacting on the global economy and therefore their work) shows fewer executives are concerned about the impact of increasing constraints on natural resources. 25% expect this trend to have a negative impact, compared to 33% two years ago. This suggests that although the issue of global resources is arguably higher up the agenda than two years ago, people don't see it as an issue of strategic importance. As our driver above shows, if you follow the same path, there is a degree of risk in this. There are numerous implications for the sector of reducing global resources. I would say this is a time when civil society organisations would do well not to look at the private sector for any sort of lead!
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