Decoupling 2: Technologies, Opportunities and Policy Options - Summary for Policy Makers

The report highlights existing technological possibilities, for developing and developed countries, and their economic advantages. It shows that there is growing evidence that decoupling will be one of the next big opportunities for economic growth, innovation and wise use of resources. The report explores the actions that a country would need to take to create the conditions for its economy to prosper in the future. It finds that policymakers with leadership, vision and an understanding of political realities can take steps to benefit from the future resource trends. The report identifies the barriers that can hold back effective policy change, and examines technological, organisational and policy options that have proved to be successful in different regions of the world. It highlights the forms of policy action that can make faster progress towards the decoupling of economic growth from use of resources.