The United Nations Environment Programme published a May 2026 report on sand sustainability during a Geneva presentation.
Companies extract around 50 billion tons of sand and gravel each year for construction and industry. UNEP official Pascal Peduzzi noted this volume could form a wall 27 meters high and wide around the equator.
Sand provides natural water filtration and coastal protection while supporting diverse ecosystems. The report states that built environment mass surpassed living biomass by 2020, with sand and gravel making up nearly 90 percent of that total.
The agency called for better governance and circular economy approaches. Demand in construction alone may increase 45 percent by 2060 if current trends continue.
