The extractive industry drives economic growth around the world, creating jobs and supporting communities across the globe. When managed and conducted responsibly with due attention to social and envi
But the economic benefits come at a cost. Natural resource extraction continues to have serious impacts on the environment and human health. Some of these challenges include:
Climate change: Resource extraction and processing is responsible for over 55% of world’s carbon emissions. Pollution: The extractives sector contributes significantly to air, water and land pollution. Extraction and processing of material account for 40% of particulate matter health related impacts. Biodiversity loss: 20% of oil and gas contract blocks overlap with biodiversity protected areas in Africa; Social issues: Mining can incur a significant social cost as a result of forced displacement of local populations, abuse of human rights and resource-related conflicts. Mining was the sector linked to the third most murders, while over 40,000 children work in cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Contact
The work of UNEP on Extractives is led by the Resources and Markets Branch (Industry and Economy Division) and coordinated by the Extractives Hub.
