– Check against delivery –
International Resource Panel chairs and co-chairs,
Scientists,
Government representatives,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
A warm welcome to all of you here in Berlin and to everyone online. Your presence here today is not something we can take for granted. The situation is tense in many regions of the world, and this makes international cooperation more difficult. Which is why I am very pleased to welcome you today to this international meeting.
Shared challenges need shared answers. Science and facts are the basis for these solutions. You are here to work on practical solutions together with scientists and representatives from all regions of the world.
Since it was founded, the International Resource Panel has provided a solid scientific basis for responsible resource policies. From the beginning, Germany has been a committed partner and supporter of this Panel. We are proud to host this year’s meeting.
The core message of the IRP is simple and, at the same time, powerful: prosperity and less resource use can go hand in hand.
In fact, economic progress is only possible in the long term if we stop overusing our planet’s resources. If we stop living and doing business with a “take, use, throw away” mindset.
Germany has made great progress in circular economy over recent decades. It has been a step-by-step process. Today, circular practices are standard for us. We have seen that a resource-efficient circular economy drives innovation, create jobs and lower dependence on imports. This ranges from returnable bottles to new approaches in environmental technologies and clean tech.
According to a report by the World Economic Forum, the green economy generated turnover of five trillion dollars in 2024. And it keeps growing. There is huge potential here. Circular economy is an opportunity for our industry. And it makes us less dependent on raw materials from all parts of the world.
The IRP Global Resource Outlook (GRO2024) shows a clear trend: global resource use has more than tripled in the last fifty years. Since 1970, global material use has reached around 100 billion tonnes. If we continue at this rate, we will use as much as 160 billion tonnes by 2060. This is not acceptable.
Which is why we need you. Your research, your data and your models. This is the foundation of effective policies. Your work matters for science and for policy. We use it to guide our strategies and programmes. One example: in Germany’s National Circular Economy Strategy, we follow the IRP’s figures and aim to reduce our resource use to 6-8 tonnes per person per year.
In difficult times, it may be tempting to go it alone and put national interests first. But that would be the wrong response. After all, the resource crisis does not stop at borders. Which is why partnerships like the Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency (GACERE) are so important.
I would like to welcome the members of the Alliance to Berlin. Germany is now an official member. We look forward to continuing our good cooperation.
Let us use our time in Berlin to step up cooperation between the scientific community and policymakers.
I wish you an informative conference, constructive discussions and the confidence that our joint efforts will make a difference.
Thank you very much.