Do we own too many things?
Updated on 04 November 2009
More4 News asks whether we should buy fewer tools, clothes and utensils and rent them instead to cut waste.
Britain's first research into how resource efficiency can help meet climate change targets has shown that making better use of natural resources could contribute as much as 10 per cent of the target reduction in UK domestic greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
The research commissioned by Wrap (waste & resources action programme), and conducted by the Stockholm Environment Institute, covers UK domestic emissions and those related to our consumption of goods and services imported from abroad.
It suggests that by using goods to the end of their life, changing our diets and reducing food waste, renting instead of buying some products (including expensive clothing), and taking goods to be refurbished, around £47.3bn of the total 2004 household expenditure of £732bn could have been saved.
The research claims clothing is only used for 66 per cent and suggests further resource efficiency could cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 254m tonnes over the next 10 years.
Liz Goodwin, Wrap chief executive said: "This is the first piece of research which shows the significant impact that UK resource efficiency could have on the environment and the economy.
"Until now, making best use of our natural resources has not been high enough on the agenda as one of the contributors to meeting climate change targets.
"In the run up to Copenhagen, this research has an important message. It shows that resource efficiency could prove a secret weapon as it allows immediate action to meet pressing and challenging targets."
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said: "Businesses are facing challenging times, today more so than ever, so finding ways to save money makes a lot of sense.
"There are opportunities here in the UK too in the low carbon and environmental goods and services, where we currently have just over three percent of the global market.
"This will grow as consumers become increasingly environmentally aware and companies realise that waste is just a resource in another form and that sustainability is the key not only to the environment but to business success. Now is the time to shape our businesses of the future."
