The challenge of sustainability for the material system is rooted in the way that we now process resources to make materials and products, and in the current industrialized route toward economic development. Materials will also play a key role in the transition of our society toward future sustainability, as novel (energy) technologies need (new) materials. Today's industrial society has become entirely dependent on materials, as it produces more of them, builds an increasingly complex society, and accumulates an incredible volume of materials in use. In fact, terms such as the Bronze Age and Iron Age demonstrate that materials have defined our society. Life as we know it would be impossible without them. Materials form the fabric of our present society materials are everywhere in our lives. We evaluate the potential for material efficiency improvement, highlight the drivers to realize material efficiency, and anticipate ways forward to realize the potential of dematerializing our lives and the economy to limit the impacts of climate change and remain on a sustainable development path.
Although many opportunities exist, material efficiency is not realized in practice to its full potential. Material efficiency entails the pursuit of technical strategies, business models, consumer preferences, and policy instruments that would lead to a substantial reduction in the production of new materials required to deliver well-being. More efficient use of materials could play a key role in achieving multiple environmental and economic benefits. It produces large volumes of waste both in production and at end-of-life disposal. Materials production requires a large amount of energy use and is a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, producing approximately 25% of all anthropogenic CO 2 emissions.
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