Resource Efficiency Atlas - Publication Server of the Wuppertal ...

68
Chapter 4: Strategic starting-points for more resource efficiency
4 Strategic starting-points
for more resource efficiency
The project results indicate that there are a large number
of innovative technologies and products for resource efficiency
available. Since their implementation and relevant
knowledge is not widely spread, support is necessary. This
general conclusion can be drawn based on the expert
interviews and the identified examples. In this chapter,
Ressourceneffizienzatlas
Resource Efficiency Atlas
the strengths and weaknesses of technical solutions for
resource efficiency are identified based on the result of
the interim results of the Resource Efficiency Atlas project
(chapter 4.1), followed by a description of starting points for
increased resource efficiency (chapter 4.2).
4.1 Strengths and weaknesses of technology and product development
The following questions are central in light of the technical
solution development for increasing resource efficiency:
What is the motivation for resource efficient technology
and product development to date?
What are the counteracting forces?
What are possible risks?
In order to answer these questions a SWOT-analysis
(strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) of
“technical solutions for increasing resource efficiency” was
conducted from a technology and product development
perspective. The project experiences are summarised by
means of the SWOT-analysis against the background of
accelerated resource efficient technology and product development.
A particularly important issue is related to advantages
and disadvantages coming along with a focus on
resource efficiency during technical solution development.
For this purpose, strengths and weaknesses of technology
and product development (internal perspective, table 2) as
well as opportunities and threats – with regard to frame-
work conditions for development (external perspective,
table 3) – are considered. This assessment is based on a
cross-analysis of results derived from expert interviews
and example collection. Furthermore, observations from
the research process are included to ensure a comprehensive
analysis.
The internal perspective on technology and product de-
velopment indicates that some companies profit already
today by focusing on resource efficiency during technol-
ogy development. These companies gain from lower price
risks and improved supply conditions. In addition, companies
can profit from a positive image of resource efficiency
allowing them to open up new markets. With respect to
the production process, resource efficiency can lead to
cost savings if, for example, material savings and waste prevention
are implied. However, this is not always the case:
For instance, material substitution might lead to a lower
amount of material input due to higher stiffness. Still, total
costs of production might increase because of higher
material costs.
A key obstacle towards resource efficient technology
development is the necessary investment cost primarily
paid for by the manufacturer. In many cases the production
process becomes more expensive as well: One example is
the production of hybrid cars, which are more expensive
than comparable vehicles. They also require higher resource
use during the production process. The price premium
is passed on to customers as they benefit from lower
fuel consumption. Due to the high investment costs for this
kind of innovations the demand is limited.
Another obstacle might be the relevance of other sustainability
themes. Resource efficiency is only one issue
within the holistic perspective of sustainability. Important
expertise is often missing such as assessment with
expanded indicator systems in the development stage to