Global Material Consumption Corridor: 6-12 t/person for Abiotic Resources by 2050

Why It Matters

Understanding these global material flow targets is crucial for designers and engineers to make informed decisions about material selection, product lifecycles, and manufacturing processes. It encourages a shift towards resource efficiency and responsible consumption, influencing the design of products that minimize their environmental footprint.

Key Finding

The study proposes specific per-person limits for global material consumption by 2050: 6-12 tonnes of abiotic resources, no more than 2 tonnes of biotic resources, and 3-6 tonnes of total raw materials.

Key Findings

• A potential sustainability corridor for Total Material Consumption of abiotic resources is 6 to 12 tonnes per person.
• Total Material Consumption of biotic resources should not exceed 2 tonnes per person.
• Raw Material Consumption (used biotic and abiotic) should range from 3 to 6 tonnes per person by 2050.
• A '10-2-5 target triplet' can serve as a policy orientation for these indicators.

Research Evidence

Aim: To outline a safe operating space for global material resource extraction and use by defining potential target values for material consumption per person by 2050.

Method: Indicator-based analysis and target setting

Procedure: The research reviewed existing economy-wide material flow indicators and proposals for resource consumption targets. It then derived potential target values for a sustainable corridor for the extraction and use of minerals and biomass based on final consumption, proposing a '10-2-5 target triplet' for policy orientation.

Context: Global resource management and sustainable development policy

Design Principle

Design for resource efficiency by adhering to global material consumption targets.

How to Apply

When selecting materials for a design project, research their global resource impact and consider alternatives that align with the proposed consumption corridors. Evaluate the total material footprint of a product throughout its lifecycle.

Limitations

The derived targets are based on existing indicators and may require further refinement. The socio-economic feasibility and implementation challenges of these targets are not fully explored.

Student Guide (IB Design Technology)

Simple Explanation: This research suggests we need to use less stuff overall. By 2050, we should aim to use only about 6-12 tons of non-living materials (like metals and minerals) per person, less than 2 tons of living materials (like wood and crops) per person, and a total of 3-6 tons of all raw materials per person.

Why This Matters: Understanding global resource limits helps you design products that are not only functional and aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally responsible, contributing to a more sustainable future.

Critical Thinking: How can designers effectively advocate for and implement these global resource targets within their specific design projects, considering market demands and technological limitations?

IA-Ready Paragraph: This research by Bringezu (2015) highlights the critical need for global resource management by proposing a 'safe operating space' for material consumption. The study suggests target corridors for 2050, including Total Material Consumption of abiotic resources between 6-12 t/person and biotic resources not exceeding 2 t/person, alongside a Raw Material Consumption of 3-6 t/person. These figures provide a vital framework for evaluating the sustainability of material choices in design projects, encouraging designers to prioritize resource efficiency and minimize environmental impact.

Project Tips

• When choosing materials for your design, consider their origin and the total amount of resources used to produce them.
• Think about how your design can be repaired, reused, or recycled to minimize the need for new raw materials.

How to Use in IA

• Reference this study when discussing the environmental impact of material choices in your design project, particularly concerning resource depletion and consumption.
• Use the proposed targets as a benchmark for evaluating the sustainability of your design's material selection.

Examiner Tips

• Demonstrate an understanding of global resource constraints and how they influence design decisions.
• Show evidence of research into sustainable material sourcing and lifecycle assessment.

Independent Variable: Policy proposals for resource consumption targets, Economy-wide material flow indicators

Dependent Variable: Potential target values for a safe operating space for material extraction and use (e.g., t/person)

Strengths

• Provides a quantitative framework for global resource management.
• Integrates environmental pressures and social aspects of resource use.

Critical Questions

• What are the primary challenges in achieving these global material consumption targets, and how can design practice contribute to overcoming them?
• How do regional differences in resource availability and consumption patterns affect the applicability of these global targets?

Extended Essay Application

• An Extended Essay could investigate the feasibility of achieving these material consumption targets within a specific industry or product category, analyzing current practices and proposing design-led solutions.
• Students could explore the role of circular economy principles in meeting these targets and design products that embody these principles.

Source

Possible Target Corridor for Sustainable Use of Global Material Resources · Resources · 2015 · 10.3390/resources4010025