The energy, resource and lifestyles transitions go hand in hand: Insights from the meetPASS project

Abstract

This article summarises the global as well as EU-wide effects of a COP21-compatible scenario, developed within the meetPASS project. meetPASS analyses the economic, environmental and social impacts of a transition to a low-carbon-society. Within the project, a scenario was designed with the primary intention to limit the rise of the global average temperature to no more than 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. This scenario also includes important elements of a circular economy, i.e. measures to reduce the input of virgin resources, reduce the throughput of materials and decrease waste. The analysis shows that a successful climate policy is not possible without a "dematerialisation" strategy-a substantial reduction in resource use. And within that, the transition to a circular economy plays a central role as a means to conserve and preserve energy, materials and land, and to prevent pollution.