Many economies and sustainability transitions do not take resource scarcity into account. They rely on the assumption that increased supply of primary and secondary raw materials will keep pace with the demand, as dictated by worldwide exponential economic and wealth growth.
Based on scientific studies and systemic modelling, the Resource Wende programme advocates the hypothesis that the worldwide resource reserves and supply volumes are unable to meet the growing demand. The programme promotes an alternative systemic scenario to address the eminent resource crisis: What is the European and Dutch strategy in case the desired resource supply cannot be guaranteed, due to planetary boundaries, sustainability challenges, geopolitical tensions and social implications?
This systemic scenario provides an alternative perspective that complements the existing Dutch Circular Economy programme and the draft European Critical Raw Materials Act. As scenario thinking suggests, it is essential to be prepared for multiple pathways that can lead us into a sustainable future, instead of not having a plan B.
Read more about the program and the conference on the Resource Wende website.