Economic growth has led to an increasing demand for natural and mineral resources, as well as intensifying impacts which result from unsustainable extractive and production practices.

These practices have put a set of dynamics and natural systems processes at risk, thus compromising the range of services that they provide being altered or degraded in different regions of the country and around the world. Conflicts of interest and views over how biodiversity and land should be used are associated to this intense exploration.

Aspects that may reverse the growing degradation of environmental assets are incentives given to green economies and generating employment and income associated to maintaining environmental services to protect natural areas.