UNECE led a coalition of international experts to train raw material experts in sustainable resource management.

COP26 added much needed impetus towards climate action. Raw materials will be a pivotal part of the conversation in driving innovation in a regional circular economy including recycling, substitution, processing, mining, and exploration. Climate action calls for the energy transition away from fossil fuels to the green energy. The green transition will require a variety of critical raw materials with regulation in raw material exploration, mining and processing to enhance global material value chains.

To kickstart the implementation of sustainable resources management, UNECE convened a training session with the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) on Raw Materials – the largest raw materials consortium in the world – and EIT InnoEnergy – the first industrial alliance of the EU, which includes the European Battery Alliance (EBA) for battery storage.  

UNECE experts presented the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC), a universally applicable scheme for the sustainable management of all energy and mineral resources. European Union countries are expected to embrace the harmonisation of resources within the UNFC classification as the first widely accepted natural resource management system for classifying, managing and reporting natural resources in the world, and EIT InnoEnergy – the first industrial alliance of the EU, which includes the European Battery Alliance (EBA) for battery storage. The introduction of a unified and holistic framework will lead to data becoming a basis for resource management decisions and further statistical analysis.

The training involved various experts from UNECE’s Expert Group on Resource Management (EGRM) to support industry, higher education and research to prepare for the transformation of how European Union countries will account for raw materials and other natural resources such as energy and water.

This project was made possible thanks to funding from the European Union. The aim of the project is to support UNECE member states in the development and implementation of the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) and the UN Resource Management System (UNRMS).

The aim of the training was to assist project evaluators to support a green transition through a simple to use, easy to communicate classification resource framework that takes into account environmental and social concerns. UNFC enables sustainable resource management decisions that are critical to delivering the United Nation’s Agenda 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals and the European Union’s Green Deal and Digital and Industrial Strategy.

Freshly trained policy makers will be able to receive further personalised training to support business and government implement sustainable resource management across European regions and nations. UNECE will continue to offer a neutral platform for inclusive and transparent dialogue, exchanges of best practices and lessons learned to support the sustainability of all our resources. Further training is expected be released to the wider public in the coming months.