The atlas was funded by UNIDO, the German Environment Protection Agency, GIZ, SECO, the Heinrich Böll Foundation and Friends of the Earth.

The global economy faces increasing differences in the per capita consumption of natural resources. The constantly high consumption of rich industrialised nations is colliding with the rapidly growing material consumption in emerging economies such as China and Brazil. All in all, global resource use is increasing faster than global population. At a global average, one person uses around 10 tonnes of resources every year; in Europe, this average is around 15 tonnes; in the rich oil exporting countries it is more than 100 tonnes. In contrast, the average person in Bangladesh uses only 2 tonnes per year.

Progress in resource efficiency is not sufficient. Resource efficiency has increased in many countries in the past thirty years. At the global level, the average person extracts 40% more economic added-value from one tonne of raw material compared to 30 years ago. However, this improvement in efficiency has been off-set by a strong increase in consumed materials.

The world economy is continuing to expand as we continue to consume more goods and services. The efficiency gains are thus more than compensated by economic growth. This increasing thirst for materials leads to social and ecological conflicts – especially when the true costs of growing demand for increasingly scarce natural resources are exported to other countries and regions.

How can we achieve a high quality of life for all people, in all countries, whilst preventing ecological collapse? This can only be achieved with a radical and rapid change in policy, economy and society. Long-term political targets are urgently required. In addition, a fundamental change in societal values and norms-especially in the rich industrialised countries- is required. We need new ways of living and consuming, and we should ask ourselves this question: What is a good life, beyond material consumption?

Download the report here