• 15th Anniversary
  • Press
  • Donors
  • Partners
  • Subscribe
  • Member access
Home Internal Ressource Panel

Search form

  • Home
  • About
  • The panel
  • Reports
  • News & Events
  • Press
  • Contact us
  • Data & Resources
Home / Reports

Reports

The International Resource Panel's scientific assessments include Decoupling, Cities, Water, Metals, Land and Soils, Food, Trade, Resource Efficiency, Green Technology and Global Materials Flows.

  • Upcoming Work

    Learn more about what the International Resource Panel is currently working on.

    Upcoming Work

    Learn more about what the International Resource Panel is currently working on.

  • Making Climate Targets Achievable

    To the world’s efforts to address climate change, IRP Co-Chairs Janez Potočnik and Izabella Teixeira add an indispensable missing piece: resource efficiency strategies to reduce and...

    Making Climate Targets Achievable

    To the world’s efforts to address climate change, IRP Co-Chairs Janez Potočnik and Izabella Teixeira add an indispensable missing piece: resource efficiency strategies to reduce and...

  • Urban Agriculture’s Potential to Advance Multiple Sustainability Goals

    This Think Piece evaluates to what extent, and in which conditions, urban agriculture can enhance the sustainability of urban-rural food systems and promote a circular economy in...

    Urban Agriculture’s Potential to Advance Multiple Sustainability Goals

    This Think Piece evaluates to what extent, and in which conditions, urban agriculture can enhance the sustainability of urban-rural food systems and promote a circular economy in...

  • Policy Options to Eliminate Additional Marine Plastic Litter

    The think piece provides policy options to reduce marine plastic litter and achieve the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision, which voluntarily commits G20 countries to “reduce additional pollution...

    Policy Options to Eliminate Additional Marine Plastic Litter

    The think piece provides policy options to reduce marine plastic litter and achieve the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision, which voluntarily commits G20 countries to “reduce additional pollution...

  • Governing Coastal Resources

    The report draws together an evidence base that demonstrates beyond question the need for enhanced governance coordination between terrestrial activities and marine resources.

    Governing Coastal Resources

    The report draws together an evidence base that demonstrates beyond question the need for enhanced governance coordination between terrestrial activities and marine resources.

  • A Global Manual on Economy Wide Material Flow Accounting

    This Manual builds upon the existing experiences of compiling economy-wide material flow accounts in Europe and provides global guidance on compile material flow accounts which can be...

    A Global Manual on Economy Wide Material Flow Accounting

    This Manual builds upon the existing experiences of compiling economy-wide material flow accounts in Europe and provides global guidance on compile material flow accounts which can be...

  • Did you know?

    Agriculture uses 70% of fresh water globally. Expansion of crops for biofuels would add to this.

    Share this
  • Building Biodiversity

    To the world’s efforts to restore and regenerate nature, IRP Co-Chairs Janez Potočnik and Izabella Teixeira add the single-biggest missing piece: natural resource management.

    Building Biodiversity

    To the world’s efforts to restore and regenerate nature, IRP Co-Chairs Janez Potočnik and Izabella Teixeira add the single-biggest missing piece: natural resource management.

  • IRP One Planet Network Value chain approach report
    IRP One Planet Network Value chain approach report

    Catalysing Science-Based Policy Action on Sustainable Consumption and Production

    This report from the International Resource Panel and the One Planet network explains the ‘Value-Chain Approach’ methodology and shares findings from its application to three critical...

    IRP One Planet Network Value chain approach report

    Catalysing Science-Based Policy Action on Sustainable Consumption and Production

    This report from the International Resource Panel and the One Planet network explains the ‘Value-Chain Approach’ methodology and shares findings from its application to three critical...

  • IRP Sustainable Trade in Resources
    IRP Sustainable Trade in Resources

    Sustainable Trade in Resources

    This report looks at trade flows of material resources and their environmental impacts. It also demonstrates how both multilateral trade rules and regional trade agreements can be used...

    IRP Sustainable Trade in Resources

    Sustainable Trade in Resources

    This report looks at trade flows of material resources and their environmental impacts. It also demonstrates how both multilateral trade rules and regional trade agreements can be used...

  • Resource Efficiency and Climate Change

    This report conducts a rigorous assessment of the contribution of material efficiency to GHG abatement strategies. More concretely, it assesses the reduction potential of GHG emissions...

    Resource Efficiency and Climate Change

    This report conducts a rigorous assessment of the contribution of material efficiency to GHG abatement strategies. More concretely, it assesses the reduction potential of GHG emissions...

  • IRP Building Resilient Societies after Covid-19
    IRP Building Resilient Societies after Covid-19

    Building Resilient Societies after the Covid-19 Pandemic

    This document provides policy recommendations extracted from IRP research over the past 10 years to drive a resource smart recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, generating socio-...

    IRP Building Resilient Societies after Covid-19

    Building Resilient Societies after the Covid-19 Pandemic

    This document provides policy recommendations extracted from IRP research over the past 10 years to drive a resource smart recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, generating socio-...

  • Natural Resource Use in the Group of 20: Status, trends, and solutions

    Dissemination materials from the International Resource Panel

    Natural Resource Use in the Group of 20: Status, trends, and solutions

    Dissemination materials from the International Resource Panel

  • 9 tons per person, per year

    The average person on the globe uses 9 tons of resources each year

    Share this
  • Photo by <a href="/photographer/martin_m2-56777">martin_m2</a> from <a href="https://freeimages.com/">FreeImages</a>
    Photo by <a href="/photographer/martin_m2-56777">martin_m2</a> from <a href="https://freeimages.com/">FreeImages</a>

    Land Restoration for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

    Land restoration has tremendous potential to help the world limit climate change and achieve its aims for sustainable development. In its latest study, the International Resource...

    Photo by <a href="/photographer/martin_m2-56777">martin_m2</a> from <a href="https://freeimages.com/">FreeImages</a>

    Land Restoration for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

    Land restoration has tremendous potential to help the world limit climate change and achieve its aims for sustainable development. In its latest study, the International Resource...

  • sunflower-1530628-1280x960_picture_wynand_van_nieker_freeimages.jpg
    sunflower-1530628-1280x960_picture_wynand_van_nieker_freeimages.jpg

    Global Resources Outlook

    Through a combination of resource efficiency, climate mitigation, carbon removal, and biodiversity protection policies, this report finds that it is feasible and possible to grow...

    sunflower-1530628-1280x960_picture_wynand_van_nieker_freeimages.jpg

    Global Resources Outlook

    Through a combination of resource efficiency, climate mitigation, carbon removal, and biodiversity protection policies, this report finds that it is feasible and possible to grow...

  • rock-trucks-1442326_picture_odan_jaeger_freeimages.jpg
    rock-trucks-1442326_picture_odan_jaeger_freeimages.jpg

    Mineral Resource Governance in the 21st Century

    The mining sector, if carefully managed, presents enormous opportunities for advancing sustainable development particularly in low-income countries, the International Resource Panel...

    rock-trucks-1442326_picture_odan_jaeger_freeimages.jpg

    Mineral Resource Governance in the 21st Century

    The mining sector, if carefully managed, presents enormous opportunities for advancing sustainable development particularly in low-income countries, the International Resource Panel...

  • shutterstock_637751254_copyright_mr.teerasak_khemngern.jpg
    shutterstock_637751254_copyright_mr.teerasak_khemngern.jpg

    Re-defining Value – The Manufacturing Revolution

    Re-thinking how we manufacture industrial products and deal with them at the end of their useful life could provide breakthrough environmental, social and economic benefits. Adopting...

    shutterstock_637751254_copyright_mr.teerasak_khemngern.jpg

    Re-defining Value – The Manufacturing Revolution

    Re-thinking how we manufacture industrial products and deal with them at the end of their useful life could provide breakthrough environmental, social and economic benefits. Adopting...

  • forest-1380650_gabor_szakacs_freeimages.jpg
    forest-1380650_gabor_szakacs_freeimages.jpg

    Resource Efficiency for Sustainable Development

    A think piece from the International Resource Panel.

    forest-1380650_gabor_szakacs_freeimages.jpg

    Resource Efficiency for Sustainable Development

    A think piece from the International Resource Panel.

  • • Photo, report cover and this page: Adaptation of the image ‘Vision of a Post Fossil African City’ by Karl Schulschenk and Blake Robinson. The original image was part of a series awarded a top 10 position in the Post Fossil Cities Competition, and was on
    • Photo, report cover and this page: Adaptation of the image ‘Vision of a Post Fossil African City’ by Karl Schulschenk and Blake Robinson. The original image was part of a series awarded a top 10 position in the Post Fossil Cities Competition, and was on

    The Weight of Cities

    We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shift future urbanization on to a more environmentally sustainable and socially just path. The Weight of Cities suggests a new approach to...

    • Photo, report cover and this page: Adaptation of the image ‘Vision of a Post Fossil African City’ by Karl Schulschenk and Blake Robinson. The original image was part of a series awarded a top 10 position in the Post Fossil Cities Competition, and was on

    The Weight of Cities

    We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shift future urbanization on to a more environmentally sustainable and socially just path. The Weight of Cities suggests a new approach to...

  • 9 tons per person, per year

    The average person on the globe uses 9 tons of resources each year

    Share this
  • Assessing Global Resource Use

    Better and more efficient production and use of natural resources can be one of the most cost-efficient and effective ways to reduce impacts on the environment (including pollution)...

    Assessing Global Resource Use

    Better and more efficient production and use of natural resources can be one of the most cost-efficient and effective ways to reduce impacts on the environment (including pollution)...

  • Copyright: Chones/Shutterstock.com
    Copyright: Chones/Shutterstock.com

    Green Technology Choices

    What happens when low-carbon electricity supply technologies are deployed alongside energy efficiency technologies? The International Resource Panel's assessment looks at the...

    Copyright: Chones/Shutterstock.com

    Green Technology Choices

    What happens when low-carbon electricity supply technologies are deployed alongside energy efficiency technologies? The International Resource Panel's assessment looks at the...

  • Resource Efficiency

    This report analyzes four paths that countries could take over the next three decades, ranging from business as usual to a scenario where countries adopt both ambitious climate...

    Resource Efficiency

    This report analyzes four paths that countries could take over the next three decades, ranging from business as usual to a scenario where countries adopt both ambitious climate...

  • Global Material Flows and Resource Productivity (with database link)

    Growing concern about assuring affordable, equitable and environmentally sustainable access to natural resources is well founded. In this report we show global natural resource use...

    Global Material Flows and Resource Productivity (with database link)

    Growing concern about assuring affordable, equitable and environmentally sustainable access to natural resources is well founded. In this report we show global natural resource use...

  • Decoupling 2

    This report explores technological possibilities and opportunities for both developing and developed countries to accelerate decoupling and reap the environmental and economic benefits...

    Decoupling 2

    This report explores technological possibilities and opportunities for both developing and developed countries to accelerate decoupling and reap the environmental and economic benefits...

  • Unlocking the Sustainable Potential of Land Resources:

    Land resources are one of nature’s most precious gifts. They feed us and help our societies and economies to thrive. This report examines how to better evaluate and use the potential...

    Unlocking the Sustainable Potential of Land Resources:

    Land resources are one of nature’s most precious gifts. They feed us and help our societies and economies to thrive. This report examines how to better evaluate and use the potential...

  • Did you know?

    Renewables cause significantly lower pollution, but have a higher demand for structural materials

    Share this
  • Food Systems and Natural Resources

    Food systems depend on natural resources. But population growth, and dietary changes due to growing wealth, are creating pressures on those resources. Transforming our food systems is...

    Food Systems and Natural Resources

    Food systems depend on natural resources. But population growth, and dietary changes due to growing wealth, are creating pressures on those resources. Transforming our food systems is...

  • Options for Decoupling Economic Growth from Water Use and Water Pollution

    To head off a looming water crisis, meet demand, and sustain growth and human wellbeing, decoupling water from economic growth is essential. The report shows a package of policy and...

    Options for Decoupling Economic Growth from Water Use and Water Pollution

    To head off a looming water crisis, meet demand, and sustain growth and human wellbeing, decoupling water from economic growth is essential. The report shows a package of policy and...

  • Green Energy Choices: the Benefits, Risks and Trade-Offs of Low-Carbon Technologies for Electricity Production

    Low-carbon electricity generation could help meet demand while reducing climate change effects. But new technologies could create new environmental problems. This report aids informed...

    Green Energy Choices: the Benefits, Risks and Trade-Offs of Low-Carbon Technologies for Electricity Production

    Low-carbon electricity generation could help meet demand while reducing climate change effects. But new technologies could create new environmental problems. This report aids informed...

  • 10 Key Messages on Climate Change

    This note draws on the findings of the United Nations’ expert panel on natural resources – the International Resource Panel (IRP) – to highlight some key policy-relevant messages on...

    10 Key Messages on Climate Change

    This note draws on the findings of the United Nations’ expert panel on natural resources – the International Resource Panel (IRP) – to highlight some key policy-relevant messages on...

  • International Trade in Resources

    International trade is indispensable for countries to meet demand for resources not available, accessible or affordable domestically. This report looks at implications of rapidly...

    International Trade in Resources

    International trade is indispensable for countries to meet demand for resources not available, accessible or affordable domestically. This report looks at implications of rapidly...

  • Policy Coherence of the Sustainable Development Goals

    Policy Coherence of the Sustainable Development Goals

  • Did you know?

    We lose 24 billion tonnes of fertile soil and 15 billion trees a year, at a cost of $40 billion.

    Share this
  • Building Natural Capital: How REDD+ Can Support a Green Economy

    This report, on the status and future potential of REDD+, describes the benefits of forests and other ecosystems as a way of demonstrating that forests have multiple values beyond...

    Building Natural Capital: How REDD+ Can Support a Green Economy

    This report, on the status and future potential of REDD+, describes the benefits of forests and other ecosystems as a way of demonstrating that forests have multiple values beyond...

  • Photo by Felix Mittermeier from Pexels
    Photo by Felix Mittermeier from Pexels

    Managing and Conserving the Natural Resource Base for Sustained Economic and Social Development

    This think piece presents the International Resource Panel's reflection on the establishment of Sustainable Development Goals aimed at decoupling economic growth from escalating...

    Photo by Felix Mittermeier from Pexels

    Managing and Conserving the Natural Resource Base for Sustained Economic and Social Development

    This think piece presents the International Resource Panel's reflection on the establishment of Sustainable Development Goals aimed at decoupling economic growth from escalating...

  • Assessing Global Land Use

    This report examines the impacts of global trends - population growth, urbanization, changes in diets and consumption behaviours - on global land use, considering biodiversity, the...

    Assessing Global Land Use

    This report examines the impacts of global trends - population growth, urbanization, changes in diets and consumption behaviours - on global land use, considering biodiversity, the...

  • Picture: Freeimages/Nikolaus Wogen
    Picture: Freeimages/Nikolaus Wogen

    Environmental Risks and Challenges of Anthropogenic Metals Flows and Cycles

    Metal production is responsible for 7-8% of global energy use as well severe environmental impacts. Recycling would decrease both, but even if recycling increased, rising global demand...

    Picture: Freeimages/Nikolaus Wogen

    Environmental Risks and Challenges of Anthropogenic Metals Flows and Cycles

    Metal production is responsible for 7-8% of global energy use as well severe environmental impacts. Recycling would decrease both, but even if recycling increased, rising global demand...

  • Metal Recycling

    A global move to a Product-Centric approach, in which recycling targets specific components of a product and devises ways to separate and recover them, is essential. This report...

    Metal Recycling

    A global move to a Product-Centric approach, in which recycling targets specific components of a product and devises ways to separate and recover them, is essential. This report...

  • City-Level Decoupling

    Most resource consumption takes place in cities. How a city is designed shapes how its inhabitants use transport, energy and water, and dispose of waste. The challenge is to build...

    City-Level Decoupling

    Most resource consumption takes place in cities. How a city is designed shapes how its inhabitants use transport, energy and water, and dispose of waste. The challenge is to build...

  • Did you know?

    Rising income and urbanization are changing diets and increasing the need for agricultural land.

    Share this
  • Measuring Water Use in a Green Economy

    How do we meet the water, energy, land and material needs of up to 9 billion people, while keeping climate change, biodiversity loss and health threats within planetary boundaries?

    Measuring Water Use in a Green Economy

    How do we meet the water, energy, land and material needs of up to 9 billion people, while keeping climate change, biodiversity loss and health threats within planetary boundaries?

  • Picture: Shutterstock
    Picture: Shutterstock

    Responsible Resource Management for a Sustainable World

    This report brings together highlights of five previous reports to enable policy-makers and business leaders to begin decoupling economic activity from resource use to allow the global...

    Picture: Shutterstock

    Responsible Resource Management for a Sustainable World

    This report brings together highlights of five previous reports to enable policy-makers and business leaders to begin decoupling economic activity from resource use to allow the global...

  • Picture: Freeimages/MICHELLE KWAJAFA
    Picture: Freeimages/MICHELLE KWAJAFA

    Recycling Rates of Metals

    Recycling rates of metals are far lower than potential for reuse. Less than one-third of 60 studied have a recycling rate above 50 per cent, though many are crucial to clean...

    Picture: Freeimages/MICHELLE KWAJAFA

    Recycling Rates of Metals

    Recycling rates of metals are far lower than potential for reuse. Less than one-third of 60 studied have a recycling rate above 50 per cent, though many are crucial to clean...

  • Decoupling Natural Resource Use and Environmental Impacts from Economic Growth

    We are using unsustainable amounts of the Earth’s natural resources. We need to improve the rate of resource productivity (“doing more with less”) faster than the economic growth rate...

    Decoupling Natural Resource Use and Environmental Impacts from Economic Growth

    We are using unsustainable amounts of the Earth’s natural resources. We need to improve the rate of resource productivity (“doing more with less”) faster than the economic growth rate...

  • Picture: Freeimages/DAREK KRZEMINSKI
    Picture: Freeimages/DAREK KRZEMINSKI

    Metal Stocks in Society

    A key question that relates to the very broad and intensive use of metals is whether society needs to be concerned about long-term supplies of any or many of them. To examine this...

    Picture: Freeimages/DAREK KRZEMINSKI

    Metal Stocks in Society

    A key question that relates to the very broad and intensive use of metals is whether society needs to be concerned about long-term supplies of any or many of them. To examine this...

  • Assessing the Environmental Impacts of Consumption and Production

    This report gives a scientific assessment of which global environmental problems present the biggest challenges, and weighs up the impacts of various economic activities to identify...

    Assessing the Environmental Impacts of Consumption and Production

    This report gives a scientific assessment of which global environmental problems present the biggest challenges, and weighs up the impacts of various economic activities to identify...

  • Did you know?

    For some specialty metals used in mobile phones and solar cells recycling rates are less than 1%.

    Share this
  • Assessing Biofuels

    This report provides a robust assessment of key problems of production and use of biomass for energy purposes and options for more efficient and sustainable production and use of...

    Assessing Biofuels

    This report provides a robust assessment of key problems of production and use of biomass for energy purposes and options for more efficient and sustainable production and use of...

Follow us

  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap