Home - Summary of Eco-Region NW
Overall resource flows and impacts of the region
One planet economy
Where are we heading in all this? A One Planet Economy is a system of production and consumption which respects environmental limits, local and global, which is also financially and socially sustainable. Its main target is the fair 'earth share' footprint of 1.8 gha per person. This means a long term goal of 75% cut in resource use - i.e. Factor Four increase in resource efficiency. These are the main principles:
'Integrated asset management', covering economic, social and environmental capitals and risks - in other words, that the NW economy should manage itself as smartly as any other large organization.
The regional accounts and budgeting systems should take a 'triple bottom line' approach, accounting for all forms of capital - economic, social and environmental.
This follows an 'integrated supply chain' principle, i.e. by tracking material and energy resources from cradle to grave, and from supply sides to demand sides.
This adds up to a full 'market transformation' programme in each sector, for low impact technologies and sustainable consumption patterns.
Such a programme should be financially viable, aiming at net gains in both national and individual costs and benefits. It should also be socially responsible, equalising the differences between social groups, between regions, and between nations.
To implement this requires a practical 'business case' to be developed for each economic sector: each policy level: each product type, and so on.
This challenge is now the theme of the One Planet Economy Network (OPEN). This is now in formation, and details will be posted on this site.
