{"id":99737,"date":"2026-09-29T14:29:16","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T12:29:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/power-shift.de\/?p=99737"},"modified":"2026-09-29T14:29:16","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T12:29:16","slug":"rohstoffverbrauch-senken-warum-deutschland-eine-rohstoffwende-braucht-powershift","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/power-shift.de\/en\/rohstoffverbrauch-senken-warum-deutschland-eine-rohstoffwende-braucht-powershift\/","title":{"rendered":"Reducing raw material consumption: Why less is more"},"content":{"rendered":"

Germany's raw material requirements can be shaped politically<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Germany and the European Union want to secure their supply of metallic raw materials in the long term. So far, raw materials policy has focused mainly on more mining projects, new sources of supply, raw materials partnerships and the development of the circular economy. Significantly less attention is paid to another adjusting screw: How many primary raw materials do we really need?\u00a0 What do we actually use these raw materials for? And what social and environmental impacts are we willing to accept?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Metallic raw materials are indispensable for industry, infrastructure and social-ecological transformation. At the same time, mining and processing of metallic raw materials is associated with considerable social and ecological burdens in many places. As global demand is forecast to increase, competition for available raw materials and production capacities is also growing.<\/p>\n

A sustainable raw materials policy must therefore combine supply and demand. The new PowerShift publication \u2018Reduce raw material consumption: Why less is more\u2019<\/strong> shows where Germany can reduce its primary raw material consumption, which potentials exist especially in the areas of mobility and construction and illustrates perspectives from Indonesia, Peru, the Philippines and South Africa, which can mean lower consumption in Germany and the EU for people and the environment in resource-rich countries.<\/p>\n

\n


\nDownload background paper as PDF
\n<\/a><\/p>\n


\nDownload factsheet as PDF<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Germany's raw material consumption can be shaped politically<\/h2>\n

Germany is almost entirely dependent on imports for the supply of metallic primary raw materials: 100 percent are sourced from abroad.<\/strong> Consumption in Germany is around two tonnes of metallic raw material equivalents per inhabitant.<\/p>\n

Much of the consumption is concentrated in a few metals. Iron and steel, aluminium, copper and nickel account for 94 percent of metallic raw material consumption.<\/strong> Particularly large quantities are used in the transport sector, in construction and in industrial production.<\/p>\n

Raw material requirements are not an immutable quantity. How many metals an economy needs depends, among other things, on which transport systems it promotes, how it is built and used to, how durable and repairable products are, and the extent to which materials are reused and recycled.<\/p>\n

Thus, not only the origin of raw materials is a political question. The level of raw material consumption can also be influenced politically and socially.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Reduction of raw materials and transformation are no contradiction<\/h2>\n

The energy transition, electrification and the expansion of public infrastructure require significant quantities of metallic raw materials. A raw material transition cannot therefore consist in preventing necessary investments in social-ecological transformation.<\/p>\n

All the more important is the question: for which raw materials are used and how social needs can be met with as little primary material as possible.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It makes a difference whether metals are needed for electricity grids, renewable energies and public transport infrastructure or whether additional demand is created by ever larger and heavier vehicles, short product life cycles or particularly material-intensive construction methods.<\/p>\n

Reducing consumption therefore does not mean meeting social needs less well. Rather, the focus is on the question of how Mobility, housing, communication and other societal functions can be ensured with a lower use of primary raw materials.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Where the demand for raw materials can be reduced<\/h2>\n

The extent to which the demand for raw materials can be influenced by political framework conditions and social structures is particularly evident in the areas of transport and construction.<\/p>\n

Mobility: Not only the drive decides<\/h3>\n

At the beginning of 2025 there were in Germany 49.3 million cars<\/strong> Approved, including about six million SUVs. At the same time, new cars have become on average almost a third or around 400 kilograms heavier since 2000.<\/p>\n

The electrification of transport is central to the transformation of the transport sector. Changing the drive alone does not solve the resource problem. The number, size and weight of the vehicles influence the demand for steel, aluminium, copper and battery raw materials.<\/p>\n

A more resource-efficient mobility therefore combines electrification with other measures: smaller and lighter vehicles, longer periods of use, efficient public transport, sharing and better conditions for cycling and walking.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Building: Living with fewer primary raw materials<\/h3>\n

There is also considerable potential for reduction in the building sector. In addition to recycling and a more efficient use of materials, the further use of existing buildings, the average living space and the type of development play an important role.<\/p>\n

A scenario reproduced in the study shows: Changing housing and construction structures could reduce metal demand by 2050 52.2 million tonnes<\/strong> reduce. Among other things, fewer single-family houses, an average living space of 35 square meters per person and a reduction in particularly large living space are taken into account.<\/p>\n

The example shows what a reduction strategy is all about:\u00a0provide adequate housing with lower primary raw material needs.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Circular economy with reduction targets<\/h2>\n

Recycling is an indispensable part of a raw material transition. The same applies to durable products, repair, reuse and the increased use of secondary raw materials.<\/p>\n

The potential is considerable. For example, a secondary material use rate of 75 percent for steel could be around 15 million tons of primary steel per year<\/strong> replace it.<\/p>\n

But an ambitious circular economy is also reaching its limits if the overall demand for raw materials continues to increase. Recycling processes are associated with material losses, and a large proportion of the metals used remain bound in buildings, vehicles and infrastructures for years or decades. Secondary raw materials can therefore significantly reduce primary raw material demand, but not completely replace it as aggregate demand grows.<\/p>\n

A sustainable raw materials policy must therefore: Combine a circular economy with an absolute reduction in primary raw material consumption.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Germany's consumption of raw materials has a global impact<\/h2>\n

Germany and the EU have a high consumption of metallic raw materials, while mining and processing take place to a significant extent in other regions of the world. Decisions on the consumption of raw materials in Europe therefore have an impact on people, ecosystems and economic development opportunities in resource-rich countries.<\/p>\n

The publication omits perspectives Indonesia, Philippines, Peru and South Africa<\/strong> in the eye. The political and economic starting points differ significantly. Together, however, the examples highlight the issues associated with growing global demand for raw materials.<\/p>\n

In Indonesia, the expansion of the nickel industry and the goal of retaining more value added in the country face considerable environmental pollution and energy-intensive processing, which has so far been heavily dependent on coal. The Philippines focuses on the protection of watersheds, ecosystems and local livelihoods, as well as the participation of indigenous and local communities.<\/p>\n

In Peru, copper mining raises questions about water, local value creation and economic diversification. The South African perspective, in turn, draws attention to the distribution of value creation and environmental pressures, as well as to the long-term social and economic consequences of mining.<\/p>\n

The examples at the same time show that it It is not just about better conditions for extracting raw materials.<\/strong> A globally just raw materials policy must also take into account the development paths of resource-rich countries themselves, how value is distributed and the participation of communities affected by mining.<\/p>\n


\nRead the detailed country perspectives in the background paper \u2192
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Less raw material consumption can reduce dependencies<\/h2>\n

Reducing primary raw material consumption is not only relevant from an environmental and human rights perspective. It also has an economic and industrial policy dimension.<\/p>\n

Germany is heavily dependent on imports and internationally intertwined supply chains for many metallic raw materials. Price increases, export restrictions, market concentration and geopolitical conflicts can therefore have a significant impact on supply.<\/p>\n

Reducing the demand for primary raw materials can help to reduce these dependencies. Raw materials that are not required by more resource-efficient production, mobility and consumption patterns do not need to be imported or developed through new mining projects.<\/p>\n

At the same time, durable products, repair, reuse, material efficiency and circular production methods can create new economic activities and fields of innovation.<\/p>\n

What a Raw Materials Transition Needs Politically<\/h2>\n

A sustainable raw materials policy should not only ask for: Where additional raw materials can come from.<\/strong> It must also take into account how high the demand is, how it can be reduced and which uses should be prioritised in society.<\/p>\n

This results in seven key areas of action:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Mandatory reduction in primary raw material consumption.<\/strong>
    \nCommodity and sector-specific reduction targets should be linked to intermediate targets, monitoring and regular evaluation.<\/li>\n
  2. Prioritise raw material requirements in society.<\/strong>
    \nThe applications of raw materials that are a priority for society should be negotiated transparently and with the participation of relevant and affected stakeholders.<\/li>\n
  3. Making mobility more resource-efficient.<\/strong>
    \nTraffic avoidance and modal shift, public transport, smaller and lighter vehicles, sharing, cycling and walking can reduce material requirements.<\/li>\n
  4. Make products durable and recyclable.<\/strong>
    \nRepairability, modularity, reuse and a long service life should already be taken into account in product design. This also includes long-term available spare parts and software updates.<\/li>\n
  5. Connecting circular economy and consumption reduction.<\/strong>
    \nRecycling and secondary raw materials are indispensable, but can not fully compensate for the additional demand for primary raw materials in a continuously growing overall demand.<\/li>\n
  6. Strengthening the rights of affected communities.<\/strong>
    \nLocal and indigenous communities must be effectively involved in decisions on mining projects. These include binding human rights and environmental standards, as well as effective complaint, liability and redress mechanisms.<\/li>\n
  7. Shaping global raw materials policy in partnership.<\/strong>
    \nCommodity-rich countries must not be reduced to their role as suppliers. Local value creation, economic diversification and self-determined development paths must be part of a long-term raw materials policy.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    A raw material turnaround must bring supply and demand together<\/h2>\n

    The debate on Germany and Europe's supply of raw materials is strongly focused on: where the raw materials needed will come from in the future.<\/strong> In view of growing global demand, environmental pressures and international competition, this perspective falls short.<\/p>\n

    A forward-looking raw materials policy must therefore combine supply and demand: How many primary raw materials do we need? What are we using them for? And how can societal needs with lower primary raw material requirements be met?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Reducing primary raw material consumption does not replace the circular economy, responsible supply chains and high environmental and human rights standards in mining. It adds a key dimension to these approaches: to use existing materials longer and better, to reduce avoidable requirements and to use raw materials where they are needed for socially necessary transformations.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Background paper and factsheet: \u2018Reduce raw material consumption: Why less is more\u2019<\/h2>\n

    The PowerShift Background Paper \u2018Reduce raw material consumption: Why less is more\u2019<\/strong> analyzes the metallic consumption of raw materials in Germany, illustrates concrete reduction potentials and combines the German debate with international perspectives.<\/p>\n

    It brings together the PowerShift Reduction Series, which currently consists of five publications. Four country papers were prepared by the Indonesian organisation AEER, the Philippine organisation ATM, the Peruvian network Red Muqui and the South African organisations AIDC. They also collaborated with the IFEU Institute and MISEREOR.<\/p>\n

    \n
    \n

    Background paper<\/strong>
    \n30 pages \u2013 analysis, data, international perspectives and policy responses<\/p>\n


    \nDownload background paper as PDF
    \n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \n

    factsheet<\/strong>
    \n3 pages \u2013 key figures, findings and approaches at a glance<\/p>\n


    \nDownload factsheet as PDF
    \n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    Find out more<\/h2>\n

    Reduction Series:\u00a0Raw Materials Reduction Series.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

    More on the risks of raw materials policy<\/strong>.<\/a><\/p>\n

    World economy compass<\/strong> \u2013 the PowerShift podcast.<\/a><\/p>\n

    Press & Background<\/h2>\n

    For interviews, audio and data please contact:
    \n    Lisa St\u00fcve<\/strong><\/a>
    \nPress and Public Relations Officer
    \n    Constantin Bittner<\/strong><\/a>
    \nPolicy Officer for Raw Materials<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Deutschlands Rohstoffbedarf ist politisch gestaltbar Deutschland und die Europ\u00e4ische Union wollen ihre Versorgung mit metallischen Rohstoffen langfristig sichern. Im Mittelpunkt der Rohstoffpolitik stehen bislang vor allem mehr Abbauprojekte, neue Bezugsquellen, Rohstoffpartnerschaften und der Ausbau der Kreislaufwirtschaft. Deutlich weniger Aufmerksamkeit erh\u00e4lt eine andere Stellschraube: Wie viele Prim\u00e4rrohstoffe ben\u00f6tigen wir eigentlich wirklich?\u00a0 Wof\u00fcr setzen wir diese Rohstoffe…<\/p>","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":99809,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[1,217],"tags":[258,306,134],"post_series":[],"thema":[18],"coauthors":[458],"class_list":["post-99737","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-allgemein","category-hintergrund","tag-rohstoffe-lieferketten-rohstoffpolitik-menschenrechte-china","tag-rohstoffreduktion","tag-rohstoffwende","thema-rohstoffpolitik","entry","has-media"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/power-shift.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99737","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/power-shift.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/power-shift.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/power-shift.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/power-shift.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=99737"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/power-shift.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99737\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":99810,"href":"https:\/\/power-shift.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99737\/revisions\/99810"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/power-shift.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99809"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/power-shift.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99737"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/power-shift.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=99737"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/power-shift.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=99737"},{"taxonomy":"post_series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/power-shift.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_series?post=99737"},{"taxonomy":"thema","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/power-shift.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/thema?post=99737"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/power-shift.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=99737"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}