United Nations Resource Management System

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The United Nations Resource Management System (UNRMS) is a voluntary global standard for managing natural resources sustainably. [1] It is based on the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC). [2] UNRMS aims to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by providing a comprehensive framework and methodology for resource progression, policy development, and financing. [3]

Contents

Background

UNRMS is a sustainable resource management system developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). It was created to address unsustainable resource supply and use patterns to mitigate environmental and societal impacts while ensuring long-term resource availability. [4] The UNRMS was initiated in 2017 and goes beyond classification, offering a holistic approach to resource management. It promotes technologies for efficient resource discovery, recovery, and processing. The UNRMS is a significant step towards harmonizing economic, environmental, and social objectives in resource utilization. [5]

Objectives and goals

UNRMS is a sustainable management framework that aims to enhance resource efficiency and reduce environmental impact. It is designed to promote a circular economy by considering resources as interconnected elements of a broader ecosystem. The system supports stakeholders in adopting sustainable practices across various resource sectors, contributing to achieving SDGs and ensuring responsible production and use of natural resources for present and future generations. [6]

Framework and methodology

UNRMS framework is based on 12 fundamental principles and 54 requirements. It uses a unique methodology that assesses resources based on their environmental, social, and economic viability, technical feasibility and confidence in estimates. This approach is a sustainable pathway for resource progression, considering its impact on society and the environment. [7] The methodology promotes high-impact technologies for efficient resource discovery, recovery, and processing, intending to advance sustainable resource management practices that can be adapted to various types of resources and geographical contexts. [8]

The fundamental principles of UNRMs are:

  1. State rights and responsibilities in the management of resources
  2. Responsibility to the planet
  3. Integrated management of resources
  4. Social engagement
  5. Service orientation
  6. Comprehensive resource recovery
  7. Value addition
  8. Circularity
  9. Health and safety
  10. Innovation
  11. Transparency
  12. Continuous strengthening of core competencies and capabilities.

Application and coverage

UNRMS extends its application across diverse resources, including minerals, petroleum, renewable energy, nuclear and anthropogenic resources, geological storage and groundwater. It is a versatile tool for stakeholders, encompassing governments, industries, and civil society, to manage resources that align with sustainable development goals. [9] UNRMS's coverage is not limited to isolated sectors but spans a region's entire resource base, promoting an integrated approach to resource management that supports policy development, technological advancement, and sustainable financing. [10]

Various regions have adopted UNRMS to improve the sustainability of their natural resource management, aligning with global sustainability goals and climate agreements. [11] Assessments have demonstrated the effectiveness of the UNRMS by identifying gaps in existing resource management systems and providing actionable recommendations for improvements, thereby proving its utility in enhancing sustainable development practices. [12] UNRMS has proven effective at the sub-national level by providing a comprehensive framework that guides regions in enhancing their resource management systems, leading to improved sustainability and adherence to global environmental standards.

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A circular economy is a model of resource production and consumption in any economy that involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products for as long as possible. The concept aims to tackle global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution by emphasizing the design-based implementation of the three base principles of the model. The three principles required for the transformation to a circular economy are: designing out waste and pollution; keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. CE is defined in contradistinction to the traditional linear economy. The idea and concepts of a circular economy have been studied extensively in academia, business, and government over the past ten years. It has been gaining popularity because it can help to minimize carbon emissions and the consumption of raw materials, open up new market prospects, and, principally, increase the sustainability of consumption.

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The World Resources Forum (WRF) is a non-profit organisation for sharing knowledge about the economic, political, social and environmental implications of global resource use. WRF promotes resource productivity among researchers, policymakers, business, NGOs and the public. In addition to organizing international and regional conferences, the WRF Secretariat coordinates multistakeholder dialogue projects, amongst others the Sustainable Recycling Initiative (SRI) as well as the H2020 projects Towards a World Forum on Raw Materials (FORAM), and CEWASTE. The WRF contributes to other EC-projects and projects with the German development organisation GiZ, UNEP and UNIDO.

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References

  1. ↑ UNECE. "United Nations Resource Management System (UNRMS) | UNECE". unece.org. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  2. ↑ UNECE (2020-12-31). "United Nations Resource Management System: An overview of concepts, objectives and requirements (ECE ENERGY SERIES No. 68) | UNECE". unece.org. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  3. ↑ UNECE (2024-03-01). "How can sustainability standards transform the raw materials sector in a changing world | UNECE". unece.org. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  4. ↑ UNECE (2022-11-09). "COP27: UNECE presents UN-approved system for natural resources management to support low-carbon transition | UNECE". unece.org. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  5. ↑ UCL (2024-03-01). "UCL to play leading role in world's first UN backed centre for circular economy research". UCL News. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  6. ↑ Smyth, Vicky (2023-04-26). "UNRMS: A Cornwall Case Study". Met4Tech. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  7. ↑ UNECE (2021-09-24). "Countries are committing to implementation of the United Nations Resource Management System | UNECE". unece.org. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  8. ↑ UNECE (2023-10-24). "Energy Ministers in Asia-Pacific invite application of United Nations Resource Management System Principles | UNECE". unece.org. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  9. ↑ British Geological Survey (2024-02-29). "British Geological Survey to help deliver UN ICE-SRM | Agg-Net". www.agg-net.com. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  10. ↑ UNECE (2023-08-30). "ECOSOC endorses UNRMS, paving the way for the implementation of sustainable resource management principles worldwide | UNECE". unece.org. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  11. ↑ UNECE (2024-04-05). "Cornwall, UK, applies UN Resource Management System to support sustainability of Critical Raw Materials mining | UNECE". unece.org. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  12. ↑ UNECE (2024-02-08). "Optimizing Resource Management for Critical Raw Materials: A Case Study of the Application of the United Nations Resource Management System with Cornwall Regional Government, United Kingdom" (PDF). Fifteenth Session of the Expert Group on Resource Management.
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