Planning development of natural resources

Create awareness about the need to reach a balance between the utilization of resources and the protection of environment.

Natural resources are either renewable or non-renewable. In depleting them, non-renewable natural resources are not replaced by Earth's systems as renewable natural resources are. However, current consumption rates of renewable natural resources are typically much greater than the threshold at which Earth's systems can replenish those resources (unsustainable resource consumption), leading to gross environmental degradation and resulting in an unsustainably lowered natural resource base for future generations. For these reasons, the consumption of remaining non-renewable natural resource should be substantially reduced, whilst ensuring that renewable natural resources be used sustainably.

Forecasting is used to determine future environmental conditions, in particular levels of pollution and resource extraction, based on current conditions and probable trends. Carrying capacity recognizes the maximum levels, or "critical loads," of resources that can be used and pollutants that can be assimilated by the environment. The object of environmental policy is to close the gap between the critical load for a pollutant or resource and the forecasted level. Backcasting is used to break this long-term goal into short-term, incremental targets.

The Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES), representing business investors, financial institutions and corporations promotes 10 principles of environmental management to its corporate members. The second principle states: "We will make sustainable use of renewable natural resources, such as water, soils and forests. We will conserve non-renewable natural resources through efficient use and careful planning.