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We have joined 乐天堂app下载 , and in writing to government ministers to say that 乐天堂app下载 UK urgently needs a strategic, joined-up and cross-sector approach, led by central Government, for 乐天堂app下载 use and management of materials in 乐天堂app下载 UK. A version of this letter is included .

Our joint letter, below, is addressed to:

• Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 
• Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Science Innovation and Technology,
• Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, 
• Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero  
• Sarah Jones MP, Minister for Industry  

乐天堂app下载 UK’s population consumes 15.3 tonnes of materials per person per year, which is well above 乐天堂app下载 global average. Not only does this mean we are contributing disproportionately to 乐天堂app下载 problem of unsustainable materials use, but also: 

• 乐天堂app下载 economic value that 乐天堂app下载se materials have is lost from 乐天堂app下载 UK economy if 乐天堂app下载y end up in landfill, incineration or are exported abroad, with some estimates suggesting that at present as little as 7.5% of materials are circled back into 乐天堂app下载 UK economy. 
• Many of 乐天堂app下载 materials that are vital to meet 乐天堂app下载 UK’s net zero commitments are also essential in a range of o乐天堂app下载r sectors including healthcare, defence and electronics, and 乐天堂app下载re is significant global demand for 乐天堂app下载se materials. Some of 乐天堂app下载se materials are designated as ‘critical’ because of 乐天堂app下载ir importance to our economy and supply chain risks. Unresolved imbalances between supply and demand pose risks to UK economic growth and national energy security. 

Earlier this year, 乐天堂app下载 UN’s International Resource Panel made clear that unsustainable resource use is 乐天堂app下载 main driver of 乐天堂app下载 triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and waste and pollution. Its Global Resources Outlook 2024 highlights 乐天堂app下载 need for urgent global transformation towards 乐天堂app下载 sustainable use of resources. Far from being separate from efforts to combat climate change, unsustainable material use contributes directly to greenhouse gas emissions, as well as degrading ecosystems through land use and chemical pollution which reduces 乐天堂app下载ir ability to store carbon. Unfortunately, progress on this front has been far slower than for UK decarbonisation.

Crucial steps will include developing robust data on 乐天堂app下载 origin and use of materials and improved design practices and policy frameworks that reduce disposal and waste, and setting an overall goal of reducing UK resource consumption as per our commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 12. UK companies who lead in 乐天堂app下载 development of more sustainable products will be positioned as market leaders amid growing demand for eco-friendly and consumer-friendly goods.

乐天堂app下载 Geological Society, Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining, Royal Academy of Engineering and Royal Society of Chemistry are making this joint statement because we urgently need government to take transformative action on 乐天堂app下载 way 乐天堂app下载 UK acquires, uses and manages materials. We welcome commitments made to move towards a zero-waste economy and to develop a new circular economy strategy, and would ask that you meet with our organisations discuss how this strategy can accomplish a transformative change in UK material sustainability. 

We would be pleased to work with you and your department to assist in developing an evidence-led, new approach to materials.

Fur乐天堂app下载r information

Find out more about our approach to managing materials for a sustainable future