On the 5th November, Friends of the Earth Europe will hold a conference at Eurocities in Brussels to look at the role of targets in bringing about a reduction in the resources we use in Europe.
Europe is using more of the planet’s minerals, metals, forests, fuels, land and water than ever before. The European Union is estimated to be using 1.5 times its own area in land every year, with 60% of the land consumed coming from outside its borders.
This demand for resources is linked to environmental damage and social injustices – from land grabbing and toxic pollution, to water shortages and the destruction of fertile land and the seas. At the same time, other regions are rapidly increasing their resource consumption. Is it realistic that Europe can continue to use so much of the world’s land and resources? If not, how can we reduce our consumption?
Speakers at the conference will include:
- Janez Poto?nik – Commissioner for the Environment
- Dr. Harry Lehmann – General Director, Environmental Planning and Sustainability Strategies, Federal Environment Agency of Germany
- Martin Bruckner – Research Fellow, Vienna University of Economics and Business
- Meghan O’Brien – Research Fellow, Wuppertal Institute
- Carina Vopel – Head of Unit, Resource Efficiency & Economic Analysis, DG Environment, European Commission
- Jo Leinen MEP – S&D
You can see the draft agenda here, and if you plan to attend please register here.
