Big Ideas Do you know the size of your material footprint?
Aug 7, 2025
Janez Potočnik, Co-Chair of the UN Environment International Resource Panel and former EU Commissioner, dives into our material consumption habits. He discusses the alarming truth about resource use and the urgent need for a circular economy. Potočnik emphasizes the interconnectedness of ecological and economic systems, urging policies that promote sustainability and equity. He also underlines the importance of a paradigm shift in how we measure economic progress, advocating for inclusivity in resource management conversations.
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Planetary-Scale Responsibility Insight
- We are the first generation living in a planetary-scale socio-ecological system with unprecedented interconnection and responsibility.
- Economic discussions must now integrate environmental limits as natural resources become the main constraint, surpassing labor and infrastructure.
Uneven Global Material Footprint
- Global material use has more than tripled over 50 years, mainly due to non-metallic minerals for urban growth.
- Material footprint differs drastically by region, driven by population growth or economic growth, showing uneven consumption patterns.
Key Drivers of Material Use
- Built environment, mobility, food, and energy consume over 90% of extracted materials, with usage patterns varying by country income.
- High-income countries have six times higher material use and ten times more climate impact per capita than low-income countries, indicating inequities.
