J2: Raw material consumption
Short Description
This indicator shows trends in the amount of (a) raw material consumption (RMC) per capita and (b) the amount of gross value added (GVA) per unit of raw material consumption. These measures give a proxy for the scale of our environmental impact associated with our material consumption, while helping identify how efficiently natural resources are being used and the extent to which economic output is being decoupled from consumption of materials.
Readiness and links to data
Data on RMC underpinning each metric are available in the England’s material footprint release. Data on Nominal and real regional gross value added (balance) by industry and Estimates of the population for the UK, England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are published by the Office for National Statistics. This indicator, together with additional supporting methodology is also included within the Resources and waste strategy for England.
Indicator components
Figure J2a: Raw material consumption (excluding fossil fuels) per capita in England, 2001 to 2019
Table J2a: Raw material consumption (excluding fossil fuels) per capita in England, 2001 to 2019
| Year | Biomass | Metal ores | Non-metallic mineral materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 5.45 | 1.38 | 10.69 |
| 2002 | 5.42 | 1.47 | 12.24 |
| 2003 | 5.11 | 1.34 | 13.47 |
| 2004 | 5.77 | 1.53 | 12.11 |
| 2005 | 5.59 | 1.48 | 11.67 |
| 2006 | 5.11 | 1.45 | 11.19 |
| 2007 | 4.83 | 1.42 | 10.88 |
| 2008 | 4.57 | 1.24 | 9.06 |
| 2009 | 4.43 | 1.04 | 7.33 |
| 2010 | 4.31 | 1.08 | 6.93 |
| 2011 | 4.34 | 1.12 | 7.27 |
| 2012 | 4.37 | 1.20 | 6.83 |
| 2013 | 4.33 | 1.29 | 6.80 |
| 2014 | 4.73 | 1.21 | 8.40 |
| 2015 | 4.63 | 1.16 | 8.80 |
| 2016 | 4.18 | 1.01 | 7.51 |
| 2017 | 3.93 | 0.98 | 7.25 |
| 2018 | 3.94 | 1.03 | 8.24 |
| 2019 | 3.99 | 1.00 | 8.02 |
Trend description for J2a
The average raw material footprint per capita in England (excluding fossil fuels) fell by 25.7% between 2001 and 2019. It peaked in 2003, decreased steadily until 2007, and then fell sharply during the 2008 to 2009 recession. It rose again until 2015 then fell to a new low in 2017. Over the latest 3 years for which data are available (2017 to 2019), it has risen to 13.0 tonnes per capita. Within the overall total, per capita consumption of non-metallic mineral materials, metal ores and biomass have all decreased between 2001 and 2019 (by 25.0%, 27.6% and 26.7% respectively).
Assessment of change
A decrease in the biomass component of England’s Material Footprint has been observed over the short, medium and long-term assessment periods. England’s consumption of metal ores has decreased (an improvement) over the short, medium and long-term assessment periods. In the short-term, consumption of non-metallic mineral ores has increased (a deterioration), however in the long and medium-term assessment periods, consumption has decreased (an improvement).
Change since 2018 has also been assessed. There has been little or no change in the consumption of biomass, metal ores, or non-metallic mineral materials, however this is based on 2 years of data and should be considered as indicative and not evidence of a clear trend.
Further information on this assessment, along with details on the methodology, is provided in the Assessment background page. Summaries by 25 Year Environment Plan goal and information on indicator links are presented in the Assessment results pages.
Table J2a: Assessment of change
| Component | Subcomponent | Period | Date range | Percentage change | Smoothing function | Assessment of change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J2a | Biomass | Short term | 2013 to 2018 | -9.75 | Loess | Change (decreasing) |
| J2a | Biomass | Medium term | 2008 to 2018 | -13.75 | Loess | Change (decreasing) |
| J2a | Biomass | Long term | 2001 to 2018 | -26.11 | Loess | Change (decreasing) |
| J2a | Metal ores | Short term | 2013 to 2018 | -14.66 | Loess | Improvement |
| J2a | Metal ores | Medium term | 2008 to 2018 | -18.71 | Loess | Improvement |
| J2a | Metal ores | Long term | 2001 to 2018 | -27.23 | Loess | Improvement |
| J2a | Non-metallic mineral materials | Short term | 2013 to 2018 | 8.19 | Loess | Deterioration |
| J2a | Non-metallic mineral materials | Medium term | 2008 to 2018 | -11.54 | Loess | Improvement |
| J2a | Non-metallic mineral materials | Long term | 2001 to 2018 | -31.28 | Loess | Improvement |
Note that assessment categories were assigned based on smoothed data, so percent change figures in Table J2a may differ from unsmoothed values quoted elsewhere. Percent change refers to the difference seen between the first and last years in the specified date range. It is not possible to define a simplistic desired direction of change for the biomass component of this indicator so cannot assign ‘improvement’ or ‘deterioration’.
Figure J2b: Gross value added per kg of raw material consumption (excluding fossil fuels) in England, 2001 to 2019
Table J2b: Gross value added per kg of raw material consumption (excluding fossil fuels) in England, 2001 to 2019
| Year | Value |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1.42 |
| 2002 | 1.32 |
| 2003 | 1.30 |
| 2004 | 1.36 |
| 2005 | 1.44 |
| 2006 | 1.56 |
| 2007 | 1.64 |
| 2008 | 1.88 |
| 2009 | 2.08 |
| 2010 | 2.20 |
| 2011 | 2.15 |
| 2012 | 2.24 |
| 2013 | 2.27 |
| 2014 | 2.01 |
| 2015 | 2.00 |
| 2016 | 2.34 |
| 2017 | 2.48 |
| 2018 | 2.30 |
| 2019 | 2.37 |
Trend description for J2b
In 2019, England generated approximately 66.7% more economic value than in 2001 (measured by GVA per unit of RMC (excluding fossil fuels), also described as resource productivity). Resource productivity measured on this basis, rose from a low of £1.30 of GVA per kg of RMC in 2003 to a peak of £2.27 in 2013. It then declined to £2.00 in 2015 before rising to a new high of £2.48 in 2017.
Assessment of change
J2b Gross value added per kg of raw material consumption (excluding fossil fuels) in England has been assessed to be 'improving' over the short, medium, and long term, though progress has slowed over the last five years.
Change since 2018 has also been assessed. An increase in gross value added per kg of raw material consumption production was found. However, this is based on 2 years of data so should be considered as indicative and not evidence of a clear trend.
Further information on this assessment, along with details on the methodology, is provided in the Assessment background page. Summaries by 25 Year Environment Plan goal and information on indicator links are presented in the Assessment results pages.
Table J2b: Assessment of change
| Component | Subcomponent | Period | Date range | Percentage change | Smoothing function | Assessment of change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J2b | None | Short term | 2013 to 2018 | 8.32 | Loess | Improvement |
| J2b | None | Medium term | 2008 to 2018 | 25.37 | Loess | Improvement |
| J2b | None | Long term | 2001 to 2018 | 73.65 | Loess | Improvement |
Note that assessment categories were assigned based on smoothed data, so percent change figures in Table J2b may differ from unsmoothed values quoted elsewhere. Percent change refers to the difference seen between the first and last years in the specified date range.