Take action now: reduce resource use for a fairer, cleaner, and more resilient Europe

The EU’s current consumption of natural resources far exceeds sustainable levels, contributing to multiple crises including climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequality. This briefing addresses alongside a coalition of environmental NGOs by calling for an EU framework on resource use reduction based on sufficiency measures. This approach aims to align with 1.5°C decarbonisation pathways, reduce dependency on imports, lower energy demand, and strengthen EU competitiveness. The proposal suggests a material footprint target of 5 tonnes per capita by 2050, emphasising the need for sufficiency policies co-created with citizens. Whilst the EU has set ambitious environmental objectives, it lacks a coherent policy framework for resource reduction. The briefing urges MEPs to adopt a legislative initiative report calling on the European Commission to prioritise sufficiency approaches, which are increasingly supported by scientists, policymakers, and citizens as essential for meeting sustainability goals and ensuring a fairer, cleaner, and more resilient Europe.