Resource Efficiency: Economics and Outlook for Latin America

UNEP and the Mercosur Economic Research Network present the report ?Resource Efficiency: Economics and Outlook for Latin America?.

According to the report, the main challenges for an efficient use of resources in Latin America are:

? Public-private cooperation at local, sub-national and national levels.

? Territorial planning and effective implementation of land-use regulations.

? Promotion of regional cooperation strategies in areas such as climate change, environmental impact assessment in the primary sector, and water regulations.

? Information access and availability. Generating and synthesizing reliable information on the use of resources and its economic and environmental implications.

Defining and implementing public policies focused on an efficient use of resources can play a significant role in boosting economic and social development in Latin America. A better efficiency in the use of resources would improve sustainability and competitiveness. It would also help reducing poverty and inequality, in line with the objectives of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development 2012 (Rio+20).