Resource use

UNEP guides policy development for SCP through its global frameworks, networks, programmes and partnerships, through knowledge-sharing and facilitating access to science, policy guidance, technical tools and best practices.

UNEP contributes to SDG 12.2, “achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources”, by strengthening and communicating the knowledge and scientific base for resource efficiency and SCP. This includes scientific information on natural resource use and “decoupling opportunities” as a basis for evidence-based policymaking.

Additionally, UNEP works on strengthening the sound management of chemicals and waste by supporting parties to the multilateral environmental agreements to meet their respective obligations. This work supports SDG 12.4 ‘achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.’ UNEP also hosts the secretariats for several waste and chemicals-related multilateral environmental agreements and implements initiatives targeting various types of waste, including food waste and hazardous waste and chemicals.

As part of its actions towards SDG 12.6, “Encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle.”, UNEP collaborates with the private sector in partnerships promoting innovation, technological solutions and financing to tackle our most pressing global environmental challenges. UNEP fosters partnerships with business and industry to promote green investments and apply sustainable business practices across value chains. It also promotes and builds capacity in corporate sustainability reporting.

The Panel’s goal is to steer us away from overconsumption, waste and ecological harm to a more prosperous and sustainable future. The IRP investigates the world’s most critical resource issues with a view to supporting all stakeholders to improve resource efficiency - a necessary condition to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. For instance, in 2019 it launched the Global Resources Outlook 2019, which analysed the impacts of our growing resource use, and aimed to develop coherent scenario projections for resource efficiency and sustainable production and consumption that decouple economic growth from environmental degradation.

After UNEA4, the IRP joined forces with the One Planet network and formed a task force dedicated to releasing a report on the Value Chain Approach. The aim of this report is to make sustainable consumption and production more actionable, and provides specific analysis regarding the construction, agri-food and textile sectors.

UNEP guides policy development for SCP through its global frameworks, networks, programmes and partnerships, through knowledge-sharing and facilitating access to science, policy guidance, technical tools and best practices.

UNEP contributes to SDG 12.2, “achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources”, by strengthening and communicating the knowledge and scientific base for resource efficiency and SCP. This includes scientific information on natural resource use and “decoupling opportunities” as a basis for evidence-based policymaking.

Additionally, UNEP works on strengthening the sound management of chemicals and waste by supporting parties to the multilateral environmental agreements to meet their respective obligations. This work supports SDG 12.4 ‘achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.’ UNEP also hosts the secretariats for several waste and chemicals-related multilateral environmental agreements and implements initiatives targeting various types of waste, including food waste and hazardous waste and chemicals.

As part of its actions towards SDG 12.6, “Encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle.”, UNEP collaborates with the private sector in partnerships promoting innovation, technological solutions and financing to tackle our most pressing global environmental challenges. UNEP fosters partnerships with business and industry to promote green investments and apply sustainable business practices across value chains. It also promotes and builds capacity in corporate sustainability reporting.

The Panel’s goal is to steer us away from overconsumption, waste and ecological harm to a more prosperous and sustainable future. The IRP investigates the world’s most critical resource issues with a view to supporting all stakeholders to improve resource efficiency - a necessary condition to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. For instance, in 2019 it launched the Global Resources Outlook 2019, which analysed the impacts of our growing resource use, and aimed to develop coherent scenario projections for resource efficiency and sustainable production and consumption that decouple economic growth from environmental degradation.

After UNEA4, the IRP joined forces with the One Planet network and formed a task force dedicated to releasing a report on the Value Chain Approach. The aim of this report is to make sustainable consumption and production more actionable, and provides specific analysis regarding the construction, agri-food and textile sectors.