International Resource Panel

OVERVIEW

About International Resource Panel
International Resource Panel (IRP) was established by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2007 to advance scientific knowledge on sustainable resource use. IRP brings together scientists, governments, industry and civil society to inform policies on resource efficiency, consumption, waste and environmental impacts.

Mission and goals
IRP’s mission is to provide independent, policy-relevant scientific assessments of natural resource use and their full-life-cycle environmental impacts. The Panel aims to help decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, guide transitions toward circular economy, and support equitable and efficient resource strategies.

Structure and governance
IRP comprises more than 35 expert Panel Members across disciplines, supported by a small Secretariat hosted by UNEP.
The Panel is co-chaired by Janez Potočnik and Izabella Teixeira. A Steering Committee — including governments, European Commission and UNEP, oversees strategy, relevance and budgeting.

Research focus and outputs
IRP publishes scientific assessments on themes such as decoupling, cities and urbanisation, metals and minerals, resource efficiency, food systems, trade and governance. Its flagship publication is Global Resources Outlook 2024, presenting trajectories, impacts and policy pathways for sustainable resource use.

Tools, data and capacity building
IRP offers practical tools and data resources. Its Global Material Flows Database covers material extraction, trade, consumption and footprints across 200+ countries from 1970 to 2024. The Panel also provides an SCP (sustainable consumption & production) Hotspot Analysis Tool, e-learning courses, an SDG 12 Hub and a glossary of key terms.

Relation to sustainable finance
IRP connects resource science with finance by analysing how investment, trade and policy frameworks can support sustainable resource transitions. Its think pieces address how governance and financial systems must change to channel capital toward low-impact resource use. Overall, IRP bridges science, policy and practice by generating data, assessments and tools to shape strategies for sustainable resources, circular economy and environment-aligned finance.

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission

With a forecast human population of 9.2 billion by 2050 accompanied by continuing world economic growth, the International Resource Panel has the urgent task of helping to transform how we use, and re-use, resources.

The IRP’s work proves that it is possible to move to a new paradigm of resource use that is socially equitable, economically efficient, and environmentally healthy.

The Panel’s specific mission is to:

provide independent, coherent and authoritative scientific assessments of policy relevance on the sustainable use of natural resources and, in particular, their environmental impacts over the full life cycle; and
contribute to a better understanding of how to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation.

ORGANISATION TYPE

Government Sponsored / Multilateral Organisations

LOCATION

Global

RECENTLY PUBLISHED BY INTERNATIONAL RESOURCE PANEL

Tackling governance and financing for sustainability transitions

International Resource Panel - United Nations Environment Programme

6 June 2025

The report argues current financial systems misallocate capital towards resource-intensive activities, hindering sustainability transitions. It recommends policy, governance and financial reforms to redirect investment towards resource efficiency, low-carbon development and equitable transition pathways, particularly in resource-dependent economies.

The Hotspot Analysis Tool for Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP-HAT)

SCP-HAT (Sustainable Consumption and Production Hotspots Analysis Tool) is an online tool that maps national and sector-level “hotspots” of unsustainable production and consumption using input-output and lifecycle methodologies.