Synonyms
Definition
On the macro-level, efficient use of natural resources is commonly defined as the usage of a preferably low amount of material inputs such as biomass, fossil fuels, ores, and nonmetallic minerals to generate one unit of gross domestic product (GDP). To measure material use, two perspectives are frequently used. While the production-based perspective accounts for domestic material consumption (DMC) only, the consumption-based perspective encompasses the entire material footprint (MF) along domestic and foreign supply chains. Increasing resource efficiency is the aim of several regulations, initiatives, and practices on all scales from micro- to macro-level.
Introduction
Lindeijer et al. (2003) define natural resources as “objects of nature which are extracted by man from nature and taken as useful input to man-controlled processes.” According to the United Nations, “natural resources are natural assets (raw materials)...
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References
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Mair, C., Asada, R. (2019). Efficient Use of Natural Resources. In: Leal Filho, W., Azul, A., Brandli, L., Özuyar, P., Wall, T. (eds) Responsible Consumption and Production. Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71062-4_13-1
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