The topic for the Global Clasrooms conference in Madrid has already been released!
This year, our topic will focus on environmental issues: finding the balance between economic growth and resource efficiency. This is a vast field to research about so we advise you to read the following guide.
Finding the balance between
Economic Growth & Resource Efficiency
When you work on this topic you should take into account the following:
Recommendations
● Delegates are encouraged to understand the drivers of resource efficiency and the barriers in its way to come up with pragmatic, multidimensional resolutions that cover all aspects of the topic.
● Extensive extracting, planting, building and manufacturing are not effective solutions - they only worsen the situation in the future. Delegates are asked to think of long-term, efficient solutions.
● Delegates are urged to assess not only the role of the government but also that of businesses, the general population, civil society, and the international community.
● Delegates are encouraged to consider the role of partnerships and to think about how the different economic models and approaches mentioned can be adapted to different countries’ abilities.
● Delegates are advised to consider the environmental aspect of the issue without neglecting the need for economic growth and development.
● Delegates are expected to research the topic and the role of their country in depth to understand whether or not it is working towards finding this balance and what it could do to improve further.
Questions to Consider
● What resources is your country an importer or an exporter of and what are the threats to those resources today?
● Is your country considering the different types of resources - including land, water, air, biomass, energy, and subsoil resources - or are its policies limited to specific targets?
● Does your country have policies or plans related to green economy, recycling, decoupling, and circular economy? What are some creative but realistic ways to apply these models?
● What is the level of awareness in your country’s population and how can it be improved?
● How can your country and the international community make use of resource efficient technologies to stimulate economic growth and development?
● What are the measures your country has taken or could take to limit the drivers of resource inefficiency?
● What are the groups that are most vulnerable to fluctuations in resource supply and price? How can these vulnerabilities be limited?
● Is your country’s and its businesses’ infrastructure capable of adapting to new technologies and programs?
● What are the ideal business models to tackle this issue? Have your country’s industries adopted any of them?
Part Three: Further Reference Links
http://www.resourcepanel.org/reports/resource-efficiency
http://www.resourcepanel.org/reports/decoupling-2
https://www.unenvironment.org/resources/report/resource-efficiency-potentialand-
economic-implications-international-resource