But the economic benefits come at a cost:
- Climate change: Resource extraction is responsible for half of world’s carbon emission;
- Pollution: the extractives sector contributes to air, water and land pollution, toxic wastes and has caused significant water; pollution. Oil production has also gravely impacted the environment in countries such as Nigeria;
- Biodiversity loss: 20% of oil and gas contracts block overlaps with biodiversity protected areas in Africa;
- Social issues: Tailing dam disasters have threatened peoples’ lives and safety; mining was the third sector linked to the most murders, with over half of the attacks in three countries (Colombia, Mexico and the Philippines). Many human rights abuses are also linked to ASM with over 40,000 children working in cobalt mines in DRC.
As we support the global shift away from fossil fuels, UNEP is working to reduce these threats and support positive change in the extractive industry. We do this by bringing together key players from government, the private sector, and civil society, and by offering technical expertise and impartial assessments.
- Our mission: A sustainable and responsible extractives sector contributing to inclusive and sustainable development with minimal harm for people and planet.
- Our vision: Countries and other stakeholders are implementing policies, practices and tools contributing to a sustainable and responsible extractives sector.
- Our approach: Promoting environmental justice, science-policy, finance, economic and digital transformation as well as just transitions to address climate, pollution, waste and biodiversity loss caused by the extractives sector while engaging with policy makers, industries, civil society and the finance sector. We work in the context of the UN reforms (RC/UNCTs) and in partnership with other UN entities and stakeholders.
UNEP
- Economy Division
- Ecosystems Division
- Law Division
- International Resource Panel
- Partnership for Action on Green Economy
- World Conservation and Monitoring Centre
- Grid-Arendal
- Grid-Geneva
- Oil for Development Partnership
- The Global Mercury Partnership
- MAP-X
- The Green Fiscal Policy Network
- The Climate and Clean Air Coalition
- PROTEUS – IBAT
Partners
- Clean Air Task Force
- Conservation International
- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
- Environmental Defense Fund
- International Energy Agency
- IPIECA
- ICMM
- Natural Capital Finance Alliance
- Principles for Responsible Investment
- Oil and Gas Climate Initiative
- World Gold Council
- UNECE
- UNDP
- UNIDO
Read more about UNEPs Work in the Extractives Sector.
