Economics of Resource Efficiency

The International Resource Panel was established in 2007 to provide independent, scientific assessment on the sustainable use of natural resources and the impacts of resource use over the full life cycle. This document synthesizes the economics of resource efficiency, outlining policy and business drivers alongside persistent internal and external barriers, then surveys modelling evidence on economy-wide impacts. Using computable general equilibrium, system-dynamics, and macro-econometric approaches, studies report gains ranging from a 0.4% global GDP increase by 2035 under enhanced energy efficiency, to 7% by 2030 and 12% by 2050 in circular scenarios, with EU analyses finding net-positive GDP from 2–2.5% annual resource-productivity growth, and international assessments projecting about 6% higher global activity by 2050 under effective policies; benefits are uneven, favoring energy importers over exporters.