Net-zero GHG emissions by 2050, promoting the circular economy and enhancing social responsiveness are the three pillars of the European Green Deal. Sustainable production and use of raw materials, primary and secondary, underpin the successful realization of these objectives. As the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, the new UN policy on transforming extractive industries for sustainable development is central to near- and medium-term actions that support universal access to resources, including the critical raw materials required for the green transitions.
Sustainable resource management can be implemented only if data and information on the environmental-socioeconomic viability, technological feasibility and risks are available. Europe has made rapid progress in availability of harmonized quality data using the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) and the United Nations Resource Management System (UNRMS). Accelerating the push towards sustainable supply of raw materials and a circular economy will require further strengthening of the common standards and availability of shared data and information.
This session with UNECE and EuroGeoSurveys will feature perspectives, experiences, and the outlook in applying UNFC and UNRMS for sustainable raw materials management, with a spotlight on Europe.