Resources and pollution

Strategic Foresight

Unless consumers' behaviour and consumption patterns change, by 2030, demand for food, water and energy will increase by approximately 35%, 40% and 50% respectively, compared to 2012.
Estimates for increasing energy demand by 2040 vary between 35% (BP) to 29% (IEA and Shell) and 0% (IEA “sustainable development scenario”) compared to 2016.
| Related megatrends: Natural resources; Climate and environment
Per capita energy demand will peak before 2030, due to increased efficiency enabled by new technologies and stricter energy policies. | Related megatrends: Natural resources; Technology
Of the 78 million tonnes of plastic produced annually, only 14% is collected for recycling, while 40% ends up in lanfields, 32% of it is "leaked" into the environment and another 14% gets incinerated or into energy recovery.
Some 12 million tonnes of plastic are entering our oceans each year. If current trends continue, there could be more plastics (by weight) than fish in the ocean by 2050.
| Related megatrends: Consumerism; Climate and environment
An estimated 88 million tonnes of food is wasted in the EU per year – some 173 kilograms per person. Households and processing account for 72 % of it. | Related Megatrends: Inequalities; Natural resources; Climate and environment

This heatwave in Europe has brought the message home: it’s time to take action for nature and climate

The UNEP-WCMC team at London Climate Action Week reflect on a sweltering event and the urgent priorities before this year’s global nature and climate meetings.

PUBLICATION | 26 May 2026

The bioeconomy in the agriculture of the future

This study examines the role of the bioeconomy in shaping the future of EU agriculture, with a particular focus on enhancing farm-level economic sustainability. It analyses existing policy frameworks, identifies...

PUBLICATION | 19 Feb 2026

CORDIS results pack on bio-based manufacturing

Bio-based materials from renewable biological sources provide a sustainable alternative to fossil-fuel-derived plastics while boosting a circular economy. This CORDIS Results Pack showcases six EU-funded...

Originally Published \| Last Updated	27 Sep 2018 \| 17 Sep 2019
Knowledge service \| Metadata	Strategic Foresight \| The Megatrends Hub \| Growing consumerism
Digital Europa Thesaurus (DET)	consumer behaviour economy energy consumption fish food waste natural resources new technology ocean pollution water energy policy consumer protection developing countries sustainable development

Competence Centre on Foresight

This heatwave in Europe has brought the message home: it’s time to take action for nature and climate

The bioeconomy in the agriculture of the future

CORDIS results pack on bio-based manufacturing