Abstract

Technological developments and trends can contribute significantly to resource conservation. However, their concrete impact always depends on the societal contextual factors. In addition to political framework conditions, social routines, patterns of action and consumption styles are significant here, as they have a considerable influence on the individual and overall societal demand for resources. This trend analysis therefore systematically examines how socio-economic and socio-cultural trends can affect the use of resources. The results of this trend analysis suggest that there is a need for overarching and holistic approaches and, on the part of policy-makers, a policy mix with tailored instruments to achieve resource conservation.

Authors

Hackfort, Sarah; Zwiers, Jakob; Hirschnitz-Garbers, Martin; Schipperges, Michael