| A natural resource is part of the natural environment. This includes renewable and non-renewable primary raw materials, physical land, environmental media (water, soil, air), flowing resources (such as geothermal energy, wind, tidal and solar energy) and biodiversity. |
It is irrelevant whether the resources serve as source for the production of products or as sinks to absorb emissions (water, soil, air).
UBA Glossar zum Ressourcenschutz