Short answer
Designers must actively consider the global resource implications of their material choices and product lifecycles, aiming to operate within defined sustainable consumption corridors.
- Field
- Resource Management
- Source
- Resources (2015)
- Method
- Indicator-based analysis and target setting
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Establishing a 'safe operating space' for global material resource use requires defining target corridors for consumption of abiotic and biotic resources, aiming for specific per-person limits by 2050. This resource management research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in Resources. Using Indicator-based analysis and target setting, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers must actively consider the global resource implications of their material choices and product lifecycles, aiming to operate within defined sustainable consumption corridors.
Global Material Consumption Corridor: 6-12 t/person for Abiotic Resources by 2050
Establishing a 'safe operating space' for global material resource use requires defining target corridors for consumption of abiotic and biotic resources, aiming for specific per-person limits by 2050.
Resources · 2015
Key Findings
- 01A potential sustainability corridor for Total Material Consumption of abiotic resources is 6 to 12 tonnes per person.
- 02Total Material Consumption of biotic resources should not exceed 2 tonnes per person.
- 03Raw Material Consumption (used biotic and abiotic) should range from 3 to 6 tonnes per person by 2050.
- 04A '10-2-5 target triplet' can serve as a policy orientation for these indicators.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers must actively consider the global resource implications of their material choices and product lifecycles, aiming to operate within defined sustainable consumption corridors.
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.
Project actions
- 01When choosing materials for your design, consider their origin and the total amount of resources used to produce them.
- 02Think about how your design can be repaired, reused, or recycled to minimize the need for new raw materials.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a quantitative framework for global resource management.
- +Integrates environmental pressures and social aspects of resource use.
Limitations
It can be challenging to accurately calculate the total material consumption for a specific product or design project, as it involves complex supply chains and lifecycle assessments.
Reliability & validity
The study's reliability is based on the use of established economy-wide material flow indicators. Validity is supported by the review and revisiting of existing proposals for resource consumption targets, aiming for a scientifically grounded 'safe operating space'.
Think critically
How can designers effectively advocate for and implement these global resource targets within their specific design projects, considering market demands and technological limitations?
Design Principles
"Design for resource efficiency by adhering to global material consumption targets."
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.
What This Means for Your Design
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.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the environmental impact of material choices in your design project, particularly concerning resource depletion and consumption.
- 2.Use the proposed targets as a benchmark for evaluating the sustainability of your design's material selection.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
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.
Source
Resources
Possible Target Corridor for Sustainable Use of Global Material Resources
journal · 2015
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about global material consumption corridor: 6-12 t/person for abiotic resources by 2050?
- Designers must actively consider the global resource implications of their material choices and product lifecycles, aiming to operate within defined sustainable consumption corridors. Evidence: Resources (2015).
- Why does "Global Material Consumption Corridor: 6-12 t/person for Abiotic Resources by 2050" matter for design?
- 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.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers must actively consider the global resource implications of their material choices and product lifecycles, aiming to operate within defined sustainable consumption corridors.
- What were the main 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.
- What research method was used?
- Indicator-based analysis and target setting.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2015 journal from Resources.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- 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.
- What are the 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.