Resources Policy最新文献

The interest in social cohesion as a key driver of inclusive societies, and the pillar of sustainable economic development is still very much alive. However, the strong socio-cultural heterogeneity between social groups, conflicts, coups and socio-political crisis reinforces evidence of an undermining of social cohesion in Africa. Using system Generalized Method of Moments dynamic techniques, this paper analyses the effects of natural resource dependence on social cohesion and the underlying mechanisms in a sample of 33 African countries over the period 1990–2020. The results show that natural resources are associated negatively with social cohesion in Africa. However, the elasticity associated with point resources is greater and more significant than that for diffuse resources. Results are robust to many robustness checks, such as the alternative strategy, which combines alternative natural resources and social cohesion measures, addition of other control variables and by using outlier analysis. The human capital, institutional quality and inequality are the main channels through which natural resources affect cooperation and respect among different identity-based groups in Africa. Findings suggest further evidence about natural resources effects and provide law enforcement reform to improve human capital, institutional quality and reduce inequality, which is necessary in strengthening social cohesion in Africa. One potential pathway for such policies could focus on expanding opportunities for groups facing barriers that undermine their contribution to society, participation in decision-making and self-esteem. Therefore, African governments should improve the management of natural resources to ensure better implementation of public policies and support capacity-building and infrastructure programmes.

Export control policies for mineral resources may constrain the development of countries in the Global South. This study used data from 31 countries from 2009 to 2021 and employed a double fixed effects (FE) model to explore the impact of mineral resource export control policies implemented by countries in the Global South on sustainable energy transition. Our results show that prohibiting the export of base metals and ores significantly inhibits energy transitions. Moreover, energy transition performance improves when only licensing requirements are implemented without the enforcement of export bans and taxes. This study also highlights the importance of improved governance in mitigating the adverse effects of export prohibitions. Improvements in governance, such as corruption control, regulatory quality, rule of law, and voice/accountability, provide institutional guarantees for sustainable energy transition. This study also provides insights into measures that can help the countries in the Global South to balance resource conservation and clean energy development.

The economies of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries are linked by geography and by a policy of capital mobility. Consequently, the attractiveness of foreign direct investments (FDI) in one country is likely to be influenced by factors that explain FDI in neighboring countries, such as the endowment of natural resources. However, previous empirical studies have overlooked the spatial interaction effects of natural resources on the attractiveness of FDI in ECOWAS countries. In addition, natural resources are factors of production that can justify the location of a Multinational Enterprise in one country at the detriment of another, due to differences in the availability of natural resources. Thus, the main objective of this research is to fill this research gap by analyzing the spatial interaction effects of natural resource exploitation on the attractiveness of FDI in ECOWAS countries. Therefore, the dynamic Durbin Spatial Model (SDM) estimation method with a distance matrix was used for the analysis, covering 12 ECOWAS countries over the period 2007–2020. In addition, the use of the distance-inverse matrix with the dynamic SDM was used to analyze the spatial effects of different types of natural resources in order to test the robustness of the results. In terms of the results obtained, the findings show that the further ahead a country is in exploiting its natural resources, the more it negatively influences the attractiveness of new FDI in its bosom to the benefit of its neighboring countries, which are relatively behind in exploiting their natural resources. Specifically, the mining and forestry exploitation generates positive spillover effects, while oil and natural gas exploitation has negative spillover effects on the attractiveness of FDI from neighboring countries. A synchronization policy and a policy of compensating for the negative externalities linked to the exploitation of natural resources between ECOWAS countries would therefore make it easier to attract FDI and stimulate economic and social development.

This study explores the impact of energy diversification on economic growth in the BRICS (i.e. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) from 1995 to 2018. The study has used a newly constructed energy diversification index. The results based on the Quantile-on-Quantile (QQR) methodology demonstrate that the impact of energy diversification on the growth of the economy is heterogeneous among nations. It appears that lower and middle quantiles of the energy diversification reduce economic growth, while higher quantile of the energy diversification increases it. It is advised that the BRICS countries should develop crucial steps while transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy without hampering economic growth. It is further suggested that the BRICS countries need to ensure energy sustainability through effective energy diversification. Such steps will enhance economic prosperity for BRICS countries in the long run.

This study examines the convergence between strategic resource miners and explorers with both conventional and Islamic ventures using quantile cross-spectral analysis and the quantile connectedness approach. It analyzes data from exchange-traded funds related to these ventures from September 19, 2016, to September 14, 2023. The findings reveal significant differences between Islamic and conventional ventures. Islamic ventures show lower quantile cross-spectral coherence with natural resource miners and explorers, highlighting their inherent hedging capability, particularly in green reform-oriented and technologically advanced industries. The study identifies nuanced dynamics across various market conditions. During bear markets, evolving ventures mainly act as net transmitters to the oil and uranium industries while experiencing shocks from FinTech platforms. Conversely, conventional ventures are more vulnerable to shocks from the tech-software sector and socially conscious companies, emerging as net receivers. This dynamic shifts in normal and bull markets, with evolving ventures becoming followers of shocks and conventional ventures assuming leadership. The study also highlights specific industries impacted by both types of ventures in different market conditions, emphasizing the interplay between evolving and conventional financial strategies. Policy implications stress the need for tailored strategies that consider market conditions and industry intricacies. Promoting transparency, refining risk management tools, and fostering collaboration between Islamic finance and green industries are essential for sustainable resource governance.

This paper examines the impact of the Sustainable Education Index on China's mining industry, focusing on investment patterns and the adoption of green technologies. Using data from 1992 to 2022 and estimating with the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM), our findings reveal that a higher Sustainable Education Index significantly boosts green technology imports while reducing investment in mining activities. Specifically, a 1% increase in the index is associated with a 0.23% decrease in investment and a 0.43% increase in green technology imports. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted both investment and technology imports. While GDP and population growth positively correlate with investment, they are negatively associated with green technology imports, highlighting the challenges of urban development. An increased carbon footprint drives green technology imports, whereas a higher consumer price index deters both investment and imports. To promote sustainable investment, we recommend practical policies such as social awareness campaigns, education initiatives, university incentives, and social media engagement to guide China's mining industry toward greater environmental responsibility and sustainability.

The minerals industry in Turkey is critical to the nation's financial system and has a significant influence on its economic growth and well-being. The goal of this investigation is to undertake a complete review of the minerals sector's sustainability concerns, utilizing fuzzy decision-making to generate enlightening answers. Therefore, the major purpose of this research is to recognize and highlight sustainability concerns in the Turkish mining or minerals sector. This study employs expert opinions and a review of the literature to develop a complete set of criteria that will serve as the basis for the Fuzzy Best-Worst Method (FBWM), which is utilized for evaluating observed challenges. According to the findings of the study, “safety” is the most significant challenge that must be addressed immediately to safeguard the health and safety of mining people as well as the long-term sustainability of operations. This study contributes to an existing body of literature by examining industrial sustainability challenges using the FBWM technique. Using FBWM to acquire a deeper knowledge of the difficulties, researchers, stakeholders in the industry, and policymakers can get valuable insights into the connections between them.

This study analyzes data from the Sovereign ESG Data Portal to assess how macroeconomic factors influence ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investments in the fossil fuels extraction sector across G7 countries from 2005 to 2022. Using the PMG-ARDL technique, findings reveal that a 1% rise in income inequality leads to a 0.14% decrease in ESG investment in the short term and 0.43% in the long term. Conversely, a 1% increase in household spending on education results in a 0.12% short-term and 0.16% long-term boost in ESG investment. Economic growth does not significantly affect ESG investment, likely due to the sector's profit-driven nature. Additionally, a 1% increase in industry value decreases ESG investment, while better governance practices enhance it. The study suggests that policies focusing on improving governance, reducing inequality, and increasing education spending are crucial for promoting sustainable investments.

Iron ore is an important industrial raw material, and its production and consumption have a significant impact on the world economy. As resource demand increases, competition among iron ore importing countries has intensified. To investigate the global iron ore competition landscape through the competition intensity among importing countries and to study the iron ore competition groups and key competition modes from a local perspective, this paper constructs the iron ore import competition intensity network (IOCIN) by employing the network decreasing-mode and resource allocation process (RAP). The empirical results are as follows. First, competition intensity is unevenly distributed. The unevenness of competition intensity eases slightly, and the IOCINs become tighter over time. Second, the composition of the community is unstable, and the competition groups show geographic dispersion. Third, unidirectional competition with an overwhelming advantage on one side is a common relationship in the global iron ore market. At the same time, a relatively stable bilateral competition pattern has promoted the evolution of the global iron ore competitive landscape. The value of this study includes not only the improvement of the method but also practical strategic recommendations for rational competition and resource allocation optimization among countries.

The Skouries gold mining dispute in Greece has been a significant contention for several years. This study explores how individuals, either supportive or critical of mining, have strategically positioned themselves in discourse to safeguard their influence and control over potential risks. These strategic actions have included visible measures, such as campaigns carried out by institutions and grassroots organizations, and plans that have been expressed but not yet implemented. These tactics have given rise to divergent perspectives within each group. Whenever the mining operation faced a potential threat, the miners would take charge of the tunnels to demonstrate their indispensable connection to their work and its importance within a broader context. On the other hand, local activists, in stark contrast to the miners who relied on the mining company, developed their skills and capabilities, showcasing their resilience in the face of adversity. Despite adhering to a post-Fordist work and labor conditions model, these activists have a strong attachment to their location but were compelled to consider relocating. The research illustrates how opposing parties collaboratively generate disputes over natural resources through their strategic use of language and communication.