Report warns that by 2060 extraction of the Earth’s natural resources will soar by 60 per cent putting climate change goals at risk
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A new report, the 2024 Global Resources Outlook, published this week by the UN Environment Program (UNEP)-hosted International Resource panel paints a stark picture of a huge global surge in demand for the Earth’s natural resources which it’s feared will put climate change goals and economic prosperity at risk.
The report outlines how our resource usage has already climbed enormously over the past five decades from 30 billion tonnes in 1970 to 106 billion tonnes today which, to put it another way, equates to a rise from 23kg of materials used on average per person per day to 39kg. The report then warns that demand is expected to continue to rise further to 160 billion tonnes by 2060. Resource extraction and processing already account for over 60 per cent of planet-warming emissions and for 40 per cent of health-related impacts from air pollution. This means that a further 60 per cent rise in demand for the Earth’s natural resources in less than 40 years is likely to have a dramatic negative impact on the environment.
The extraction and processing of biomass (such as crops and forestry) accounts for 90 per cent of land-related biodiversity loss and water stress, as well as one-third of greenhouse gas emissions. Similarly, the extraction and processing of fossil fuels, metals and non-metallic minerals (such as sand, gravel and clay) together account for 35 per cent of global emissions.
Much of this is driven by demand in wealthy countries with inhabitants of these countries using six times more materials than those in low-income countries and being responsible for ten times more climate impacts.
The report calls for sweeping policy changes to bring humanity to live within its means and reduce this projected growth in resource use by one-third, while growing the economy, improving well-being, and minimizing environmental impacts.
‘The triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature loss and pollution is driven from a crisis of unsustainable consumption and production. We must work with nature, instead of merely exploiting it,’ said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. ‘Reducing the resource intensity of mobility, housing, food and energy systems is the only way we can achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and ultimately a just and liveable planet for all’, she continued.
Incorporating environmental externalities in trade agreements, strengthening regulation of financial commodity markets, and putting in place impact-related border adjustment policies are just some of the ways that countries can prevent a race to the bottom on environmental and social standards of resource extraction, and maximise and retain the value from extraction processes in country.
‘We should not accept that meeting human needs must be resource intensive, and we must stop stimulating extraction-based economic success. With decisive action by politicians and the private sector, a decent life for all is possible without costing the earth,’ said Janez Potočnik, the International Resource Panel’s Co-Chair.
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