The manual examines the role of increasing the efficiency of the use of resources in ensuring the conditions for the sustainable development of civilization in various aspects: historical, philosophical, sociological, legal. Particular attention is paid to resource efficiency in the context of environmental and energy security. Definitions of the concepts "resources" and "resource efficiency," classification and brief description of the main types of natural and artificial resources are given. Opportunities and ways to radically increase the efficiency of resource use are analyzed. Intended for students studying the course "Fundamentals of Resource Efficiency," it can be of interest to a wide range of readers.