UNEP Warns of Rising Global Sand Crisis

On 12th May 2026, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released a report, titled ‘Sand and Sustainability: An Essential Resource for Nature and Development’, warning that rising global sand demand due to urbanisation, population growth, and infrastructure expansion is causing serious environmental damage worldwide.

Key Points

Rapid Demand Growth: Global sand demand rose from 9.6 billion tonnes in 1970 to nearly 50 billion tonnes in 2020.
Main Drivers: Urbanisation, infrastructure development, migration to cities, and increasing built-up area per person are driving demand.
Economic Importance: The global sand market was valued at US $569.4 billion in 2024 and supports construction, tourism, fisheries, and mining sectors.
Environmental Damage: Excessive sand mining causes erosion, habitat destruction, groundwater depletion, and increased flood risks.
Health Impacts: Silica dust exposure can lead to respiratory diseases and silicosis among workers.
Suggested Measures: UNEP proposed 24 actions including recycling, stronger monitoring, and biodiversity-focused planning.