The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has warned that humanity is extracting sand and gravel at a rate far beyond nature’s ability to replenish them, raising fears that one of the world’s most important natural resources could eventually become scarce.
The warning is contained in a new UNEP report titled “Sand and Sustainability: An Essential Resource for Nature and Development.”
According to the report, rising global demand for sand — driven by population growth, urbanisation, economic expansion and infrastructure development — is rapidly outpacing sustainable supply levels, placing ecosystems and livelihoods under severe pressure.
UNEP described the growing dependence on sand as a major environmental dilemma, noting that society relies on both “dead” sand for infrastructure and “alive” sand for critical natural services.
The report revealed that demand for sand used in construction is projected to rise by 45 per cent by 2060, prompting concerns that the world could face serious shortages if extraction continues unchecked.
“Sand is extracted for various infrastructure needs that underpin modern society and development,” UNEP said.
“It took nature hundreds of thousands of years to generate sand through gradual, geological erosion processes.
“Yet we are using sand at the staggering rate of 50 billion tonnes per year; its use for buildings alone is projected to rise by up to 45 per cent by 2060.”
The report identified rapid population growth and urbanisation as major factors fuelling increasing demand for the resource.
“We have seen that particularly in Asia and Southeast Asia where the economy was booming.
“But we will see it now in Africa because the population is going to double from now to 2050,” said Pascal Peduzzi, a senior UNEP official.
“That’s plus 1.27 billion people. All of them will need homes and schools and infrastructures,” he added.
UNEP further warned that sand extraction activities are increasingly shifting into fragile ecosystems, including rivers, lakes, coastal zones and protected marine areas.
The report also linked climate change to rising sand demand, explaining that more sand is needed to build protective infrastructure such as sea walls against rising sea levels.
While acknowledging the importance of sand for economic development, UNEP stressed that the resource is equally vital for ecosystems, water security and the livelihoods of millions of people.
The agency argued that many governments still regard sand merely as a cheap construction material instead of recognising it as a strategic resource tied to biodiversity, climate resilience and environmental sustainability.
UNEP urged governments and industries worldwide to adopt more sustainable approaches to sand extraction and resource management.
According to the report, some countries are already exploring alternatives, including the use of “ore-sand” — a by-product of mineral processing — to reduce pressure on rivers and coastal ecosystems traditionally targeted for extraction.
The UN agency also called for stricter environmental oversight, greater transparency in extraction permits and an end to lowest-cost sourcing practices that often ignore long-term environmental damage.
In addition, the report highlighted alternative construction materials such as compressed straw, which UNEP said can serve as a durable and energy-efficient building option.
