Sand and gravels are the unrecognised foundational material of our economies. They are mined the world over, with aggregates accounting for the largest volume of solid material extracted globally (Peduzzi, 2014). We are sing yearly 50 billion tons of sand and gravels. At the same time, these materials cannot be produced from our terrestrial, riverine and marine environments in quantities needed to meet demand from a world of 10 billion people without effective policy, planning, regulation and management. Such actions remain largely unaddressed by decision makers in public or private sectors. It is time to challenge the paradigm of infinite sand resources through constructive dialogue and solution-finding. This report aims to be the starting point from which a productive global conversation on sand extraction can begin.

UNEP/GRID-Geneva report on the issue of sand and sustainability. This report was circulated at the fourth United Nations Environment Assembly in February 2019 (UNEA-4). It supported the UNEA-4 resolution 19 on Mineral Resource governance. It was the first time that sand was mentioned as an environmental issue of international relevance. This report is based on an experts round table organized by UNEP/GRID-Geneva, Swiss Federal Office for the Environment and University of Geneva in October 2018 explore potential solutions to reduce the impacts related to the extraction and use of sand world-wide.