'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

Global Briefing: Google and Brookfield partnership aims to deliver 3GW of US hydropower projects

'Systemic failure': Serious water company pollution incidents up 60 per cent in England

More on Climate change

Water companies urged to 'take action' as more droughts declared across England
Risk

Water companies urged to 'take action' as more droughts declared across England

National Drought Group urged to 'step up' response to drought conditions, after England records driest start to a year since 1976

Stuart Stone
Stuart Stone
clock 16 July 2025 • 6 min read
'This isn't just about one bank': HSBC becomes first major UK bank to quit Net Zero Banking Alliance
Risk

'This isn't just about one bank': HSBC becomes first major UK bank to quit Net Zero Banking Alliance

Green finance groups fear HSBC's exit from the net zero industry group could see the banking sector's 'dangerous rollback' on climate action cross the Atlantic

Stuart Stone
Stuart Stone
clock 15 July 2025 • 7 min read
State of the Climate: Met Office warns ever more extreme records are 'not a natural variation'
Climate change

State of the Climate: Met Office warns ever more extreme records are 'not a natural variation'

Major new analysis concludes the UK's climate is 'notably different' to just a few decades ago, as Ed Miliband prepares to challenge political opponents on how they would respond to escalating climate impacts

Stuart Stone
Stuart Stone
clock 14 July 2025 • 8 min read