UN – Resource Efficiency and Climate Change: Material Efficiency Strategies

Increasing material efficiency is crucial in achieving the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement as materials production is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions from material production have increased over the years, with iron and steel, cement, and plastics being the major contributors. Supply-side measures such as efficient production processes and low-carbon fuels, as well as demand-side measures like products designed to use less material and recycling, can help reduce material use and associated emissions. The report assesses the potential emission reductions from material efficiency strategies in residential buildings and light-duty vehicles, studying their life cycles and interconnections between materials and energy use. Various scenarios, including decarbonization of the energy mix and a shift towards electric vehicles, are considered to quantify the impact of material efficiency strategies on reducing emissions. The report estimates additional emission reductions from material efficiency on top of those achieved through decarbonization and electrification.