@article{Bleischwitz2010,
  author    = {Bleischwitz, Raimund},
  title     = {International economics of resource productivity : relevance, measurement, empirical trends, innovation, resource policies},
  journal   = {International economics and economic policy},
  volume    = {7},
  number    = {2-3},
  doi       = {10.1007/s10368-010-0170-z},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:wup4-opus-35409},
  pages     = {227 -- 244},
  year      = {2010},
  abstract  = {This paper undertakes a step to explaining the international economics of resource productivity. It argues that natural resources are back on the agenda for four reasons: the demand on world markets continues to increase, the environmental constraints to using resources are relevant throughout their whole life cycle, the access to critical metals could become a barrier to the low carbon economy, and uneven patterns of use will probably become a source of resource conflicts. Thus, the issue is also of relevance for the transition to a low carbon economy. {"}Material Flow Analysis{"} is introduced as a tool to measure the use of natural resources within economies and internationally; such measurement methodology now is being harmonized under OECD auspices. For these reasons, the paper argues that resource productivity - that is the efficiency of using natural resources to produce goods and services in the economy - will become one of the key determinants of economic success and human well-being. An empirical chapter gives evidence on time series of resource productivity increases across a number of economies. Introducing the notion of {"}material flow innovation{"}, the paper also discusses the innovation dynamics and issues of competitiveness. However, as the paper concludes, market barriers make a case for effective resource policies that should provide incentives for knowledge generation and get the prices right.},
  language  = {en}
}