A plan unveiled by the European Commission today to tackle Europe's dependency on imported resources doesn't go far enough to cut waste and stop over-consumption of the world's energy, water, land and materials, say campaigners.
The Resource Efficiency Roadmap calls for EU countries to make more efficient use of the world's finite natural resources to ensure we meet the needs of a growing global population.
But Friends of the Earth says the plan is too vague and lacks urgent measures to reduce Europe's over-consumption of energy, water and land - which is wrecking habitats, increasing climate-changing emissions and affecting some of the world's poorest people.
Friends of the Earth's resource use campaigner Julian Kirby said: "From burgers to mobile phones, Europe's wasteful economies leave us perilously over-dependent on imported materials, jeopardising business and putting pressure on wildlife, the climate and the world's poorest people.
"Policymakers are right to commit to using resources more wisely and ensuring nearly nothing is wasted - but their plans still lack the details and deadlines needed to protect both our economy and the environment.
"The EU should end its drive for rainforest-wrecking biofuels, support planet-friendly farming practices and ensure our products are built to last.
"With Wales outstripping English recycling rates and Brussels aiming for a genuinely zero-waste economy, David Cameron must update the disastrous Waste Review with an ambitious plan to cut waste, boost recycling and make British manufacturing more efficient".
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