This report reveals the patterns and the evolution of natural resource use in Asia and the Pacific region over the last 40 years. The analysis shows that resource use in the region is both inefficient and unsustainable. The Asia-Pacific region will not be able to base its future economic growth on declining costs of natural resources as was possible during most of the twentieth century. An increasing reliance on resources from abroad and volatility in the global resource markets will pose challenges to the economic resilience of countries in the region. In this new economic context resource efficiency and decoupling of economic growth and resource use will be fundamental to the economic success of the region. Nevertheless there is a window of opportunity for Asia-Pacific countries to invest in policies and the infrastructure that will support resource efficiency in the decades to come. Acting now will reduce economic vulnerability, especially of low income groups, and will help secure the competitiveness of tomorrow in a low carbon resource efficient global economy.