The UN 2030 Agenda (UN General Assembly, 2015) established 17 Goals for implementing sustainable development by acknowledging the interdependency of society, environment, and economy, and by strengthening peaceful societies. The EU has a well-established development policy in place and the New European Consensus on Development means it has settled a shared vision and framework for action in development cooperation (European Union, 2017a). Through this document, the EU has aligned itself to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework. Moreover, a set of indicators to monitor the SDGs at EU level has been published (Eurostat, 2017a). Raw materials (RM) are ubiquitous in modern societies and essential to economic growth and well-being, and they contribute to the SDGs in different ways. The production of materials can generate severe environmental and social impacts, especially in developing and weak governance countries. However, their use for example in high-tech applications, transport and energy infrastructures, the construction sector, medical devices etc. demonstrates their crucial role for economic development and human well-being. The EU strategy on non-energy, non-agricultural raw materials tackles the challenges related to these sectors, promoting a secure and sustainable supply from domestic sources and international markets, and increasing the contribution of secondary materials. In support of this policy and in cooperation with DG GROW, the Joint Research Centre is developing an EU knowledge base that comprises the Raw Materials Information System and the Raw Materials Scoreboard. The latter is a collection of indicators on several aspects relating to the RM sectors, encompassing economic, environmental, and social considerations as well as aspects related to governance and the security of supply. This study scrutinizes how raw materials hinder or contribute to the SDGs, and is based on a review of the literature and expert opinion. It considers the whole value chain (extraction, manufacturing, use, end-of-life) of biotic and abiotic materials. The twofold role of raw materials emerges in many cases. For instance, production of raw materials results in greenhouse gas emissions, but their use in low-carbon energy technologies contributes to the fight against climate change. Extraction of materials and manufacturing can also pollute water bodies and create water stress, but some materials are essential for environmental technologies and water treatment techniques. The outcome of the analysis stresses the potential of forestry to contribute to several SDGs, especially in relation to climate and biodiversity. However, it also highlights the importance of sustainable forest management to maintain the provisioning services of ecosystems. Overall, addressing interlinkages and trade-offs between different SDGs and the various phases of the supply chains appear to be crucial in promoting sustainable development. This study also provides linkages with some current European policies and actions related to the sustainability of raw materials from extraction to consumption. In addition, it compares the indicators of the SDG framework with those present in the Raw Materials Scoreboard, an EC publication monitoring the main challenges of raw materials production in the EU.

This work presents contributions within the agenda of the Russian-German Raw Materials Forum. The theme of this article collection is topical issues of subsoil use. Young researchers regard complex processes of mining industry from the points of view of exploration, mining, processing or various mining services and technologies.

Navigating the complexities of sustainable development can be daunting amidst the urgent need for global action on climate change and social development. Policies, actions, and philosophies must harmonize to meet the ambitious targets the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set. However, the fragmented nature of research and the lack of comprehensive resources hinder progress towards these objectives. Harmonizing Global Efforts in Meeting Sustainable Development Goals offers a timely solution. By dissecting the intricacies of the global movement towards sustainable development, this edited volume serves as an authoritative resource for academics, researchers, and practitioners alike. It critically examines methodologies, strategies, and challenges, shedding light on progress made and proposing innovative solutions to bridge divides.

"Advances in Raw Material Industries for Sustainable Development Goals" presents the results of joint scientific research conducted in the context of the Russian-German Raw Materials Forum. Today Russia and Germany are exploring various forms of cooperation in the field of mining, geology, mineralogy, mechanical engineering and energy. Russia and Germany are equally interested in expanding cooperation and modernizing the economy in terms of sustainable development. The main theme of this article collection is connected with existing business ventures and ideas from both Russia and Germany. In this book the authors regard complex processes in mining industry from various points of view, including: - modern technologies in prospecting, exploration and development of mineral resources - progressive methods of natural and industrial mineral raw materials processing - energy technologies and digital technologies for sustainable development - cutting-edge technologies and innovations in the oil and gas industry. Working with young researchers, supporting their individual professional development and creating conditions for their mobility and scientific cooperation are essential parts of Russian-German Raw Materials Forum founded in Dresden 13 years ago. This collection represents both willingness of young researchers to be involved in large-scale international projects like Russian-German Raw Material Forum and the results of their long and thorough work in the promising areas of cooperation between Russia and Germany.

The fourth Factor X publication from the German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt, UBA), Sustainable Development and Resource Productivity: The Nexus Approaches explores the interdependencies of sustainable development paths and associated resource requirements, describing and analysing the necessities for a more resource efficient world. The use of and competition for increasingly scarce resources are growing worldwide with current production and consumption patterns of industrialised economies soon to reach the point where the ecosphere will be overtaxed far beyond its limits. Against this background, this volume examines the important initiatives to monitor resource use at the international, EU and national level. The current trends and challenges related to sustainable resource use are discussed, including international challenges for a resource efficient world, megatrends, justice and equitable access to resources. In the second part of the book, contributions examine implementation strategies. They assess the concept known as circular economy and discuss the theory of growth and the role of the financial and education systems. The final section places special emphasis on practical examples. Overall, the book presents concrete ways and examples of achieving more sustainability in practice. Discussing solutions for a more sustainable use of natural resources, this book is essential reading for scholars and students of natural resources and sustainable development and decision-makers and experts from the fields of policy development, industry and civil society. The Open Access version of this book, available at https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9781003000365, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Understanding future supply and demand of raw materials and the associated environmental and social implications is essential to supporting the transition towards greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050. In this Special Issue, we present a range of research papers with a focus on future outlooks of material supply and use, the consideration of associated environmental and social implications, and issues of raw material criticality and a circular economy. These are complemented by an editorial paper that provides, amongst other aspects, an overview of the corresponding policy and institutional framework. Knowledge of materials availability, their use patterns in modern economies, and associated environmental and social trade-offs is essential for informed decision-making in support of the necessary transition towards more resource-efficient and greenhouse-gas-neutral societies in the coming years.

Antimony (Sb) is an exciting chemical element ubiquitously present in our daily lives. This book provides a coherent and interdisciplinary picture of our current understanding of this element. Subjects ranging from its mineralogy, mining and environmental chemistry to its potential impact in ecosystems and human health are discussed in this monograph.