For over 10 years, the International Resource Panel has provided scientific assessments of the trends in, patterns in and impacts of the way societies and economies extract, use and dispose of natural resources. This research has shown that the way in which we use natural resources has profound implications for the health and wellbeing of people and the planet, now and for future generations. Not only is the sustainable management of natural resources critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, but also, the International Resource Panel findings point to its essential ties to international aspirations on climate, biodiversity and land degradation neutrality. The Global Resources Outlook 2019 builds on this body of evidence to present the story of natural resources as they move through our economies and societies. It is a story of relentless demand and of unsustainable patterns of industrialization and development. Over the last 50 years, material extraction has tripled, with the rate of extraction accelerating since the year 2000. Newly industrializing economies are increasingly responsible for a growing share of material extraction, a situation largely due to the building of new infrastructure. Virtually none of the massive growth in materials consumption in the new millennium has taken place in the wealthiest countries; however, not much of it has taken place in the poorest countries either, which make up the group in the most urgent need of higher material living standards.

158 p.

9789280737417