EU ministers cautious over resource efficiency

Resource efficiency can make a significant contribution to the recovery of the EU economy and increase the competitiveness of its industry but its negative short-term side effects must be addressed, environment ministers will say next week.

A draft council resolution due to be adopted at their last meeting this year gives a list of potential risks such as jobs losses in some sectors, rebound effects and carbon leakage. These risks will need to be properly investigated, notes the document.