12/08/2022

16 tonnes of raw materials per capita: Resources Report for Germany published

© Ivan Kmit - stock.adobe.com

The Resources Report, which was co-authored by ifeu and is already being published for the third time by the German Environment Agency, provides facts and figures on the use of raw materials in Germany. Comprehensive data and analyses are presented and discussed on thirty double pages. The content focuses on renewable and non-renewable raw materials as well as the nexus to the natural resources water and land.

The extraction of non-renewable raw materials in Germany has decreased by 35% since 1994, while the extraction of renewable raw materials has increased by 15% in the same period. Taking international trade into account, raw material consumption in Germany amounted to 16 tons per capita in 2019, 30% above the global average. For a large part of the raw materials it needs, Germany relies on imports from abroad. Metal ores are even imported at almost 100%.

The environmental impact of raw material extraction is dealt with in separate chapters. Climate and raw material use are closely linked: Extraction and initial processing of raw materials are responsible for 40 % of our greenhouse gas emissions.

A special chapter looks at scenarios for the use of raw materials in the future: With an ambitious raw materials policy, it is possible to reduce raw materials consumption by a third by 2030.

The Resources Report is aimed at a specialist audience and the interested public. It is intended to inform and serve as a reference work in business, politics and education.

The report can be downloaded here.