'We must work with nature, instead of exploiting it': UN warns plundering of natural resources puts global economy at risk

Michael Holder
clock • 6 min read
Credit: iStock
Image:

Credit: iStock

Natural resource extraction, consumption set to rise 60 per cent by 2060, damaging the climate, biodiversity and human prosperity in the process, UN report warns

Extraction of the Earth's natural resources has tripled over the past five decades and is set to rise by a further 60 per cent by 2060, putting a severe strain on planetary systems that could derail efforts...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

Michael Holder
Author spotlight

Michael Holder

Editor

View profile
More from Michael Holder

ZEV Mandate: Trade body warns weakening EV targets could cost UK £2.9bn a year

What are the top priorities in the next Prime Minister's climate policy in-tray?

More on Climate change

Fruit farmers call for action as extreme heat threatens production
Climate change

Fruit farmers call for action as extreme heat threatens production

Fears growing as temperatures near 40 degrees in Kent and first hosepipe ban is issued

Janes Thynne, Farmers Guardian
clock 29 June 2026 • 3 min read
What are the top priorities in the next Prime Minister's climate policy in-tray?
Climate change

What are the top priorities in the next Prime Minister's climate policy in-tray?

BusinessGreen reflects on a busy week for the UK green economy, as the Climate Change Committee offers its take on what should be at the top of the agenda for Keir Starmer's successor

Michael Holder
Michael Holder
clock 26 June 2026 • 15 min read
'Unequivocally to blame': Study confirms heatwave's link to climate change
Climate change

'Unequivocally to blame': Study confirms heatwave's link to climate change

Attribution study reveals how record temperatures would have previously been 'virtually impossible' without climate impacts, as calls grow for government to strengthen heat stress plans

James Murray
James Murray
clock 26 June 2026 • 5 min read