The European Commission presented its strategy to get a sustainable economy by 2050 based in a resource efficient growth. It proposes among other things tools and indicators to help guide action in Europe and internationally. It is an agenda for competitiveness and growth based on using fewer resources when the EU produces and consumes goods and creating business and job opportunities from activities such as recycling, better product design, materials substitution and eco-engineering.

The 'roadmap' aimed at transforming Europe's economy into a sustainable one by 2050 has been presented by the Commission. With this publication, the Commission assures that there is a need to achieve the resource efficient growth because is essential for the EU future wellbeing and prosperity. Among the goals, the roadmap identifies the economic sectors that consume the most resources, and suggests tools and indicators to help guide action in Europe and internationally. It is an agenda for competitiveness and growth based on using fewer resources when the EU produces and consumes goods and creating business and job opportunities from activities such as recycling, better product design, materials substitution and eco-engineering.

The measures set out aims at transforming production and consumption, with incentives for investors to promote green innovation, and a greater role for eco-design, eco-labelling, and greener spending by public bodies. Thus, the Commission asks governments to shift taxation away from labour towards pollution and resources, and to provide fresh incentives to push consumers towards resource-efficient products. The roadmap also recommends adapting prices to reflect the real costs of resource use, especially on environment and health.

An integrated approach across many policy areas at European and Member States levels and focusing on the resources under most pressure is recommended by the Commission. This roadmap is based on and complements other initiatives, such as the Roadmap for a low-carbon economy and the White paper on transport adopted in spring 2011, whose Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area was discussed recently at the European Parliament. The instruments employed will include legislation, market-based instruments, refocusing of funding instruments and promotion of sustainable production and consumption. Clear targets and indicators providing predictability and transparency for all will be developed by 2013, through a participative process involving policy makers, experts, NGOs, business and consumers.