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Sustainable Resource Management

Introduction

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United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) -
a universally acceptable and internationally applicable scheme for the sustainable management of all energy and mineral resources.

Intro        UNFC          EGRM          UNRMS          Media

What is UNFC?            Fundamentals of UNFC explained (animation)

Overview of UNFC and EGRM

UNFC across resources

Factsheet: UN tools for sustainable resource management

In focus

Draft UNFC Supplemental Specifications for Groundwater Resources public consultation

Effective reporting of groundwater resources is crucial for policy formulation, resource management, and decision-making that aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UNFC is designed to apply to all resource projects to enhance resource management and enable better-informed decisions. Its generic specifications are intended to standardize resource project reporting and quantity across diverse resource types. However, each resource has its community of professionals with their definitions and standards. The Supplemental Specifications for Groundwater Resources are intended to provide groundwater practitioners with technical guidance on how to apply UNFC to groundwater resource projects. The public consultation closed on 15 January 2024. The comments received from a wide range of stakeholders are now posted. 

UNFC applied for geothermal inventory at Waikato Region, New Zealand

Jacobs has published a comprehensive report applying UNFC for an inventory of geothermal projects in the Waikato Region in New Zealand. The report shows how UNFC has been successfully applied to compile a geothermal inventory of the Waikato Region in Aotearoa in New Zealand, marking a significant step forward in transparent and consistent reporting of energy potential. This initiative, commissioned by the Waikato Regional Council, utilized UNFC to assess existing, planned, and potential geothermal developments as part of its mandate for reporting on natural resources in the region. The full article published in THINK GEOENERGY is available here: UNFC applied for geothermal inventory at Waikato Region, New Zealand (thinkgeoenergy.com)
 

ECOSOC endorses UNRMS, paving the way for the implementation of sustainable resource management principles worldwide
 

A milestone for advancing sustainable resource management worldwide has been reached with the endorsement of the United Nations Resource Management System (UNRMS) by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). UNRMS is a set of principles and requirements that guide the planning, design, operation and closure of resource extraction and processing activities to balance economic development, environmental sustainability and social responsibility in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement. The endorsement by ECOSOC opens the way for global application of UNRMS, recognizing its potential to help countries and companies manage natural resources sustainably. 

Download UNRMS Principles and Requirements 

Highlights

A.    Development and Implementation of UNFC and UNRMS 

New UNFC and UNRMS documents and case studies are now available. UN are being increasingly adopted in various countries and regions due to their potential benefits in classifying and managing resources efficiently and sustainably. The continued development and implementation of UNFC and UNRMS is a crucial step towards responsible and equitable resource management worldwide.

B.    Platform on Resilient Energy Systems 

The Platform on Resilient Energy Systems was launched at the Committee on Sustainable Energy 32nd Session. Sustainable resource management, access to critical raw materials and sustainable management of hydrogen resources, including application of UNFC and UNRMS, have been flagged as priority areas. 

C.    Other resources 

Wikipedia article