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Natural Resources Forum

Impact factor: 0.98 5-Year impact factor: 1.267 Print ISSN: 0165-0203 Publisher: Wiley Blackwell (Blackwell Publishing)

Subject: Environmental Studies

Most recent papers:

  • 300 Years of Degradation in Wales Estuaries and Coasts.
    Richard K. F. Unsworth, Blaise Bullimore, Leanne C. Cullen‐Unsworth, Benjamin L. H. Jones.
    Natural Resources Forum. 12 days ago
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThe world's oceans are in a severe state of degradation, yet our understanding of that degradation is often based on changes observed only in the past 20–50 years. This narrow view leads to marine conservation efforts that aim to preserve already degraded ecosystems, shaped by shifted ecological baselines. Historical ecology offers a broader perspective by examining past environments and biodiversity. In this study, we analyse historical records including maps, reports, and written accounts to explore the transformation of estuarine and coastal environments in Wales, a key centre of the Industrial Revolution. Our findings reveal widespread historical modification: 33 of the 42 Welsh estuaries studied show major alterations, including land reclamation, embankment construction, and channel rerouting. Some estuaries were completely erased, and islands no longer separate from the mainland. The resulting disruption of sediment dynamics, water quality, and habitat complexity has had long‐term impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services. We hypothesise these changes led to the widespread loss of critical habitats such as salt marshes, oyster beds and seagrass meadows, which support marine biodiversity and ecosystem health. Wales is only at the start of a habitat restoration journey, and the nation can learn from other regions of the world where restoration has successfully improved ecosystem function. But Wales faces a legacy of degradation with few, if any, ‘low‐impact’ baselines remaining. We argue that current restoration efforts in Wales should not aim to return ecosystems to an imagined baseline or historical state. Instead, restoration should be reimagined with modern goals focusing on enhancing biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, and human well‐being through the lens of a changing climate. Wales' estuarine environments, though heavily modified, present unique opportunities. By recognising the true extent of historical change, we can move beyond outdated notions of conservation and embrace degraded ecosystems as foundations for future recovery.\n"]
    April 28, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70063   open full text
  • Fostering Ocean Renewable Energy Startups in India: Insights From a Delphi‐Based Foresight Study.
    Avinash Kshitij, Kasturi Mandal, Shreya.
    Natural Resources Forum. April 15, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThe urgency to address climate change has increased global interest in renewable energy beyond solar and wind. Ocean Renewable Energy (ORE), which includes tidal, wave, and offshore wind, is particularly promising for India with its 7500‐km coastline. This study adopts a foresight‐driven approach, using a Delphi survey of 52 experts, to assess the potential of ORE startups and their role in building a sustainable energy ecosystem. Unlike previous studies that focus mainly on technological or policy aspects, this work uniquely combines foresight analysis with expert consensus to map the strategic pathways required for fostering ORE entrepreneurship in India. The findings highlight critical enablers, including financial support, incubators, accelerators, mentorship, and favorable policies. Over 85% of experts stressed the need for regulatory reforms, 92% emphasized financial support to overcome high capital costs, and 84% highlighted structured mentorship for navigating technical and policy challenges. Additionally, 73% identified strong market opportunities for ORE to complement India's renewable energy mix. This paper contributes a novel framework for strengthening India's ORE startup ecosystem and positioning the country as a global leader in ocean renewable energy by outlining actionable recommendations for policymakers, investors, and stakeholders.\n"]
    April 15, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70059   open full text
  • Sustainable Development Goals Applied to the Maritime Transportation Sector: Setting Sail for the Future.
    Cátia Sousa, Ana Brasão, Tiago Silva, Stanislau Tserashkovich.
    Natural Resources Forum. March 28, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThe 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development aims to eradicate poverty, protect the environment, and promote prosperity through 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Achieving these goals requires a multi‐sectoral approach. Maritime transportation, vital to the global economy, significantly contributes to several SDGs and plays a strategic role in their implementation within the European Union. This research identifies the most relevant SDGs for the sector—particularly SDGs 7, 9, 12, 13, and 14—and explores practical strategies for their integration. Climate action (SDG 13) is a major priority, given the sector's emissions intensity. Modernizing port infrastructure, improving transport efficiency, and investing in sustainable technologies (SDG 9), along with advancing resource efficiency and environmental management (SDG 12), are key measures. SDG 14 reinforces efforts to protect marine ecosystems. Crucially, SDG 7—ensuring access to affordable and clean energy—emerges as a foundational enabler, supporting the achievement of SDGs 9, 12, 13, and 14 and driving the sector's transition toward a low‐carbon and sustainable future. Beyond supporting these objectives, integrating SDGs into the sector brings benefits such as enhanced corporate reputation, cost reduction, financing opportunities, and regulatory compliance, despite persistent challenges such as high initial investments, infrastructure limitations, lack of awareness, and complexity in adopting sustainable practices. This research identifies the most relevant goals for the sector at the EU and explores practical strategies for their adoption, with an emphasis on ocean conservation, energy, and climate action. Overall, aligning maritime transport with the SDGs is essential to building a more resilient, low‐carbon, and sustainable maritime economy.\n"]
    March 28, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70058   open full text
  • Effects of Green Finance on Economic Growth and Renewable Energy in Developing Countries: A Panel Cointegration Analysis.
    Xuan‐Hoa Nghiem, Walid Bakry, Girijasankar Mallik.
    Natural Resources Forum. March 26, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThis empirical study examines the impact of green finance on economic growth and renewable energy in a group of 76 developing nations in 2010–2019. Results from a cointegration analysis, vector error correction model, and Granger causality test confirm a cointegrating relationship between green finance, renewable energy, economic growth, and other control variables. Green finance has a significant and positive (increasing) impact on growth (in both the short and long run) and renewable energy (long run), whereas renewable energy also has a significant and positive impact on growth (long run). Therefore, this study recommends that policymakers promote the use of both green finance and renewable energy because both offer many benefits, including lower carbon emissions and higher economic growth, and may therefore provide practical solutions to environmental problems.\n"]
    March 26, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70056   open full text
  • Techno‐Economic Evaluation of a Hybrid Renewable Energy System for a Sustainable Health Clinic.
    Ibrahim B. Mansir, Samuel C. Nwokolo, Soliman I. El‐Hout, Samah G. Babiker.
    Natural Resources Forum. March 21, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nAccess to reliable electricity is essential for health clinics, particularly in arid and tropical regions, to ensure continuous medical services and improve community well‐being. This study investigates the feasibility of a hybrid renewable energy system combining solar and wind resources for sustainable production and consumption of electricity in a health clinic in Al‐Kharj, Saudi Arabia. Using HOMER software, multiple configurations integrating photovoltaic panels, a wind turbine, battery storage, a converter, and a backup generator were analyzed and optimized for technical and economic performance. The results revealed that the site receives sufficient solar radiation and wind speed to meet the clinic's energy demand. Among the evaluated options, the photovoltaic‐wind hybrid system demonstrated the most favorable performance, achieving a net present cost of $297,688.3 and a levelized cost of energy of $0.2894/kWh, outperforming other system configurations. Considering the quest for a greener environment, the PV‐WT energy system was selected as the best energy system to meet the needs of the health clinic in the city. Economic assessment further indicated that this system delivers the highest return on investment of 31.4% over its lifetime, confirming its efficiency and long‐term viability. These findings establish that the photovoltaic‐wind hybrid system is the most suitable and sustainable solution to provide reliable electricity for the health clinic while supporting stakeholder engagement in achieving environmentally friendly energy goals.\n"]
    March 21, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70057   open full text
  • Do Economic Policy Uncertainty, Renewable Energy and Digitalisation Improve Ecological Quality? A Brazilian Case.
    Opeoluwa Seun Ojekemi.
    Natural Resources Forum. March 06, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nBrazil's longstanding reliance on fossil fuels to meet its energy needs has made the country vulnerable to environmental challenges caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Despite its commitment to international environmental agreements such as the Paris Accord and the Sustainable Development Goals, Brazil has struggled to effectively protect its environment. This study explores the impact of renewable energy, economic growth, and technological innovation on ecological indicators, including CO2 emissions and load capacity factor, within Brazil. Using quarterly data from 1990Q1 to 2020Q4, the analysis applies Quantile Quantile Kernel Based Regularized Least Squares. The results highlight the critical importance of renewable energy, economic growth, economic policy uncertainty, digitalization, and natural resources in combating environmental degradation. Based on these findings, it is recommended that Brazil reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, incorporate environmental objectives into its economic development plans, and enhance technological innovation to promote sustainability and improve ecological quality.\n"]
    March 06, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70054   open full text
  • The Effects of Natural Resource Exploitation on External Debt Dependence in Africa: Does the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Play a Role?
    Nelson Derrick Nguepi, Nadia Demgang Nguefack, Guivis Zeufack Nkemgha.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 27, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThe relationship between natural resource exploitation and external debt dependency remains understudied. This study addresses this knowledge gap by analyzing the impact of natural resource extraction on external debt in 43 African countries over the period 2006–2021. Employing the generalized method of moments (GMMs) technique, the study reveals a natural resource curse, where increased natural resource exploitation leads to higher external debt dependency. However, the findings also suggest that membership in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) can mitigate this effect, reducing the likelihood of external debt dependency. The study's results underscore the importance of African governments strengthening their commitment to EITI, a crucial policy tool for breaking the natural resource curse and promoting sustainable economic development.\n"]
    February 27, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70055   open full text
  • Ecological Footprint Assessment of Educational Institutions in Sirmaur District of Himachal Pradesh, India.
    Amita Sharma, Mohinder Kumar Brahmi, Satish Kumar Bhardwaj, Ghanshyam Agarwal.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 15, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nEcological footprint assessment (EFA) is a valuable tool for decision makers to evaluate sustainable development at multiple scales. Microlevel assessments in educational institutions are limited, and this study addresses this gap by quantifying resource consumption in selected Government Senior Secondary Schools of Sirmaur District, Himachal Pradesh. The study aimed to assess the impact of students and staff on school biocapacity by evaluating five components of the ecological footprint (EF): electricity, water, material, solid waste, and transportation, using a formula‐based approach. Component‐wise contributions to total EF were 0.92 gha for electricity, 0.76 gha for water, 79.39 gha for material, 0.03 gha for solid waste, and 191.90 gha for transportation. All schools exhibited EFs exceeding their biocapacity, with average EF values surpassing international standards, indicating unsustainable resource consumption. Strategies to reduce EF were suggested based on the component‐wise analysis, including energy‐efficient appliances, renewable energy adoption, water conservation, digital learning tools, waste recycling, and promotion of sustainable transportation. Such studies can inform policies that incentivize schools to adopt sustainable practices, thereby contributing to environmental sustainability at both local and broader scales while fostering responsible behaviors among students and staff. Implementing these measures can enhance long‐term sustainability at the institutional level and contribute to environmental sustainability at both neighborhood and city scales.\n"]
    February 15, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70052   open full text
  • Reducing and Forecasting Carbon Emissions in the Construction Industry: A Case Study in China Using the LMDI‐SD Model.
    Boya Jiang, Yuanjie Ding, Dong Xu, Lujia Cai, Hao Huang, Lin Sun.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 15, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nIn China, 57.5% of the carbon emissions of the whole life cycle of a building is generated in the materialization stage. Jiangsu's construction industry accounts for around 13.58% of the country's carbon emissions. This research combines the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) model with the System Dynamics (SD) model to analyze 10 factors influencing carbon emissions changes during the materialization stage of Jiangsu's construction industry from 2013 to 2021 and to forecast future carbon emission trends, thereby providing targeted policy recommendations. The results show that the production stage accounts for about 94% of the total carbon emissions, the transportation stage about 5%, and the construction stage about 1%. The main factors that increase emissions are per capita output value (GP), mechanical capability (SW) and construction energy density (PE), while the main factors that reduce emissions are construction energy consumption efficiency (ES), economic benefit (GG), and as‐built efficiency (SS). Based on the results, six single scenarios, and two integrated scenarios compared with a baseline scenario are constructed to explore the trend in emissions from 2022 to 2030. In the single scenarios, emissions can be reduced by promoting economic development, while the population growth increases emissions. Increasing the proportion of technology investment can reduce emissions, however, its excessively increase can generate opposite effects. In the integrated scenarios, the emissions are lowest when the growth in the economy and technology investment are highest and the population development is lowest. Thus, a combination of effective policies should be implemented to achieve carbon peak goal.\n"]
    February 15, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70053   open full text
  • Clean Energy Transition in Emerging Economies: Exploring the Regional Maturity in Domestic Sector of India.
    Arathy Sudarsan, K. Chithra, Deepthi Bendi.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 08, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nAccelerating the clean energy transition in emerging economies to support sustainable development and global climate targets has been in focus for quite some time. Accounting for individual energy prosumers, in addition to large‐scale renewable energy initiatives, is quite challenging due to the need for regional‐level understanding. The regional diversities and sector‐wise variations in energy consumption require a comprehensive evaluation of regions, focusing on different sectors, to effectively document micro‐level aspects that enable the transition. Regional maturity expresses the achieved level of energy transition beyond just the installed renewable energy capacity, encompassing the preparedness in governance, market conditions and consumer perception. This paper puts forth a comprehensive approach, with a primary focus on identifying these micro‐level indicators of regional maturity in household energy transition. An extensive review of available assessment tools and the published literature yielded a preliminary list of indicators collectively under local governance, local market and consumer perception, which were further refined through content analysis. The combination of fuzzy integrated technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution method and the Pareto principle has enabled the identification of critical indicators, emphasizing their significance in understanding the household energy transition in a region. This critical indicators of regional maturity help the implementation authorities in indicator focused efforts to resolve the barriers and boost the enablers for a shift from conventional household energy consumers to individual prosumers. This regional‐level perspective can foster diversity within countries and enable local self‐governments to take initiatives to remove obstacles and compete with one another to improve. As the residential sector has the most significant potential for individual prosumers globally, self‐assessment that accurately documents these critical factors undoubtedly enhances the effectiveness of ongoing initiatives.\n"]
    February 08, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70051   open full text
  • Opportunities and challenges in the implementation of the Community Environment Conservation Fund: Implications for conservation of endangered tree species.
    Moruleng Alex, Ilukor John, Bashaasha Bernard.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 453-468, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nThe shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa), one of the indigenous tree species in sub‐Saharan Africa, is facing extinction because of its hardwood, which provides the best fuel wood, and its charcoal is the best amongst all tree species in Uganda. To conserve these trees in Northern Uganda, the Community Environment Conservation Fund was implemented to help communities harness its benefits, such as carbon sequestration, microenvironment regulation and income generation through the sale of shea nuts and shea butter. As a result, there was a need to understand the opportunities and challenges in the implementation of the Community Environment Conservation Fund. Qualitative methods like the key informant interviews and focus group discussions were used and a participatory process mapping tool called the Process Net‐Map was applied to identify the actors involved and assess their level of influence in the implementation process, eliciting the opportunities and challenges faced. The research findings showed multiple opportunities in the conservation efforts, including enhanced adoption of community‐conservation by‐laws, positive mindset change towards shea tree and environmental conservation, improved credit access, diversification of income‐generating alternatives and asset creation. However, some challenges existed during the implementation phase, including moral hazard, strategic defaulting, free riding and limited financial resources. Each of these challenges significantly impacted the effectiveness and sustainability of the fund, enlightening the need for adaptive strategies. Some strategies identified were enhancing training, especially regarding fund management and enterprise selection; increasing the startup funds to at least UGX 3,000,000 ($790) per group; incorporating the declining balance approach; and lengthening the gestation period to at least 6 months. By addressing these challenges, more resilient and sustainable conservation efforts can be made, safeguarding the invaluable shea trees for future generations.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12580   open full text
  • Sustainable development goals, sustainable finance, and financial inclusion: An awareness perspective of business graduates.
    Muhammad Faheem, Muhammad Zahid, Haseeb Ur Rahman, Amin Jan, Syed Emad Azhar Ali.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 6-23, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nThe study aims to inquire about the level of understanding of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Sustainable Finance (SF), and Financial Inclusion (FI) among business graduates. The data were collected through a self‐administered questionnaire from 342 business graduates from different universities in a developing country like Pakistan. The findings revealed that the respondents have a no‐to‐low understanding of SF, FI, and the role or importance of these in achieving the 17 SDGs. The findings suggest major revisions in the structure and contents of different business degrees in Pakistan. Overall, the study opens new avenues for research and provides important insights for all the key stakeholders, including universities, higher education institutions (HEIs), the Higher Education Commission (HEC), students, and parents. The study also has social and practical implications for various stakeholders in the HEIs.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12558   open full text
  • Natural resources, a curse or blessing for international trade? Empirical evidence from CAREC nations.
    Guojun Qian.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 105-121, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nThere is a huge pile of literature, accessible on economic growth (GDP), natural resource rents (NR), mineral rents (MR), natural gas rents (GR), oil rents (OR), and forest rents (FR) but it does not address the association between trade openness (TO) and the availability of these resources. Thus, this study objectively probes the link among these resources and TO in CAREC nations (Georgia, China, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan) from 2000 to 2022. Mongolia, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan from CAREC countries are exempted in this inquiry due to unavailability of the data for the variables, GR, MR, and OR. The key methods used in this inquiry include method of moment quantile regression (MMQR) followed by Westerlund analysis, slope heterogeneity, CIPS unit root test, cross‐sectional dependence (CSD), and matrix correlation. The MMQR yields valid, trustworthy, and robust results. The empirical estimates demonstrate that MR and OR suggest significant positive impacts on TO. However, NR, GR, FR, and GDP have negative association with TO in CAREC countries. Besides, the research offers pertinent theoretical, and managerial blueprint proposals for global commerce by utilizing MR, OR, FR, and NR contributing to sustainable development goals (SDGs) by fostering economic development, promoting sustainable development, and addressing environmental and social challenges, and highlighting the real impact and association of these resources with TO based on empirical aftermath of the study.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12560   open full text
  • Trade dependence and cultural distance: An analysis of economic interactions and humanistic exchanges between China and ASEAN countries.
    Hanhui Li, Cavin Pamintuan, Asad Nisar, Rabia Rafique.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 84-104, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nThis study examines the influence of trade dependence, encompassing both export and import dependence, and economic dependence on cultural distance within the context of China and ASEAN countries from 1995 to 2020. Employing random‐effects models and, we investigate the impact of these dependencies on cultural distance and explore the moderating effects of humanistic exchange. Our findings reveal that trade dependence, export dependence, import dependence, and economic dependence exert negative effects on cultural distance between China and ASEAN countries. These findings are supported by the robustness test. We further analyze the moderating effects of humanistic exchange on the relationship between trade dependence, economic dependence, and cultural distance, confirming significant moderating effects specifically for trade dependence. Additionally, we observe that regional trade agreements and cultural exchange programs have heterogeneous effects on the relationship between trade and economic dependence and cultural distance, particularly among China and ASEAN countries with established agreements and programs.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12562   open full text
  • The effects of an abundance of natural resources on the healthcare industry: The global evidence.
    Setareh Katircioglu.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 184-203, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nThe current study investigates the effects of an abundance of natural resources on the healthcare industry worldwide. Various natural resources proxies such as rents for coal, mineral, natural gas, and oil are used and analyzed by using a quarterly datasets for the period 2000:Q1–2020:Q4. Results from regional and income group datasets show that various forms of natural resources abundance around the globe exert statistically significant, but a mix of positive and adverse effects on the healthcare sector. Results also reveal that changes in and shocks given to natural resources precede significant changes in the healthcare sector in general. This study advises that countries need to achieve careful resource management, open governance, and economic diversification top priority in order to lessen reliance on a single resource and mitigate any negative effects. Further implications are provided at the end of this study.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12566   open full text
  • Nonlinear impacts of environmental transport taxes and biofuel consumption on greenhouse emissions in the four largest European Union countries.
    Ugur Korkut Pata, Sinan Erdogan, Selin Karlilar Pata, Mustafa Tevfik Kartal.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 157-183, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nIncompatible with the pioneering role of the transportation sector in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, this research mainly deals with GHG emissions from the transport sector. In this context, the study looks at the four leading European Union (EU) countries (i.e., Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), investigates emissions from their sub‐types of the transport sector (i.e., aviation, rail, and road), uses environmental transport taxes (ETAX) as the main explanatory variable in the bivariate modeling, and considers biofuel consumption (BIO) as a control factor in the multivariate modeling. The study uses monthly data between 2004 and 2022, bivariate and multivariate quantile‐on‐quantile regression as well, and Granger causality‐in‐quantiles as the main approaches. The results demonstrate that (i) ETAX is completely inefficient on aviation and road transport GHG emissions; (ii) ETAX curbs rail transport GHG emissions in France at only middle quantiles; (iii) with the moderating impact of BIO, ETAX becomes effective in declining aviation, rail, and road transport GHG emissions (iv) BIO has a certainly reversing impact on the nexus between ETAX and transport sector GHG emissions. Overall, the study highlights that ETAX has a stand‐alone ineffective impact in curbing transport sector GHG emissions, but BIO has a certain moderating contribution in this manner. Thus, the study strongly recommends taking further actions, such as more use of BIO as in the case of this study, to support ETAX practices in combating GHG emissions for the EU countries.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12567   open full text
  • Do green policies achieve the carbon neutrality target? Revealing the effectiveness of environmental innovation.
    Xiang Xian, Jiang Wu, Mei Huang, Qiuping Mou.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 305-322, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nIn recent decades, the Environmental policy and environmental innovation are becoming the central policy instruments aimed at carbon neutrality. This empirical study scrutinizes the role of environmental policy and eco‐innovation on CO2 emissions for G7 countries. The study employs second‐generation panel data econometric methods along with panel quantile regression spanning from 1990 to 2019. The empirical findings infer that environmental policy and eco‐innovation significantly mitigate CO2 emissions in the long run. While, panel quantile regression also infers that environmental policy is negatively significant in all quantiles, but eco‐innovation is negatively significant from the 40th to 70th quantiles and insignificant in all other quantiles. The estimated results may further reinforce the policymakers in G7 countries on the promotion of green policy and eco‐innovation in carbon neutrality targets.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12572   open full text
  • Sustainable development goals in emerging markets: Aligning the role of financial inclusion in promoting environmental quality of the Next‐11 economies.
    Mahjabeen Usman, Sumayya Chughtai, Nasir Khan.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 371-389, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nPursuing sustainable development has emerged as a paramount global objective, with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serving as a guiding framework. Increasing environmental degradation is associated with increased greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, industrial waste, fossil fuel depletion, and loss of biodiversity. This study has analyzed the effect of financial inclusion on ecological sustainability while controlling the effect of financial development, energy consumption, economic growth, urbanization, and trade openness in the Next‐11 economies from 1995 to 2019. The study develops the financial inclusion index through principal components analysis by inculcating three demand‐side and three supply‐side factors of financial inclusion. To analyze the developed model, various first‐generation and second‐generation techniques are applied. The results of Westerlund co‐integration reveal significant long‐run co‐integration among the series. The long‐run elasticities are estimated through dynamic common correlated effect estimation and generalized method of moments where results reveal that FI helps to secure environmental sustainability by reducing the ecological footprint, hence it works on the SDG framework. Economic growth and financial development are found to be the root causes of increasing ecological footprint. So, it is the penetration of excessive credit, not the financial inclusivity which needs to be directed toward sustainability. It is suggested that the governments of Next‐11 countries should steer the capital toward sustainable usage and should continue facilitating financial services to curtail environmental degradation. Our findings have significant repercussions for Next‐11 countries, giving decision makers fresh perceptions of financial inclusion and development implications.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12575   open full text
  • Linking geopolitical risk, load capacity factor, income, labor, population, and trade on natural resources: Evidence from top oil‐producing countries.
    Sinan Erdogan, Mustafa Tevfik Kartal, Ugur Korkut Pata.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 139-156, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nThe global economy has been witnessing increasing geopolitical risk (GPR) in recent years. The rise in GPR has several consequences, and the impact of this situation on natural resource rent (NR) has not yet been analyzed for the major oil‐producing countries. Given this deficiency, this study analyzes the impact of GPR, gross domestic product, the labor force (LBR), load capacity factor, population density, and trade openness on the NR for the five major oil‐producing countries (namely, Canada, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the United States of America). To this end, the study analyzes data for the period 1995/Q1‐2021/Q4 by using a cross‐sectional Autoregressive Distributed Lag approach. The results demonstrate that (i) an increase in GPR and load capacity factor declines the NR; (ii) an increase in gross domestic product stimulates the NR; and (iii) a rise in population density, labor force, and trade openness has a stimulating impact on the NR. Overall, the research shows that all variables substantially impact the NR. Based on the results, various policy options are discussed, such as assessing geopolitical tensions as leverage to sustainably regulate the natural resource market and growth to prevent negative impact from managing the NR effectively for the five major oil‐producing countries.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12565   open full text
  • Prioritizing environmental and policy factors and solutions in sustainable mineral resources management for green growth in China.
    Hazrat Hassan, Cai Li, Sheeraz Ahmed.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 412-434, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nIn the wake of the increasing environmental challenges and the urgent need for sustainable development, this study focuses on the complex issue of mineral resource management. Given the growing global demand for minerals and the environmental impact of extraction, the research seeks to uncover the solutions that promote green growth while effectively addressing the ecological consequences of resource utilization in China. In the study, six factors, twenty‐four sub‐factors, and five potential solutions have been identified influencing sustainable mineral resource management and green growth. The study utilizes fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to assess these factors and sub‐factors. Following, the study utilizes fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method to evaluate and rank five potential solutions for sustainable development. The fuzzy AHP results indicate that environmental impact mitigation, robust policy frameworks, and innovation in extraction techniques are the most crucial factors. The fuzzy TOPSIS findings indicate that technological innovation for sustainability ranks highest, followed by policy‐driven green growth, socio‐economic empowerment, enhanced environmental stewardship, and integrated circular economy approaches. These findings emphasize the critical role of advanced technologies and robust policies in promoting sustainability while addressing the socio‐economic and environmental dimensions of mineral resource management.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12579   open full text
  • Toward environmental sustainability: Is responsible consumption and production of natural resources amid green energy, green technology, and green finance achievable?
    Yan Gu, Junfei Chen, Wenjia Xi, Ibrahim Lanre Ridwan, Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh Al‐Faryan.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 542-566, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nThe relentless devastating impacts of global warming and other climate change effects leading to incessant ecological damages have compelled governments across the globe to rethink the pattern of natural resource depletion. This has motivated policymakers, governments, international organizations, and research pundits alike to advocate for a transition to sustainable consumption and production of natural resources. Consequently, there is a growing call for sustainable production and consumption practices, as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG‐12). This research probes how natural resource production and consumption facilitate or hinder environmental sustainability in G7 economies from 1996 to 2020. The empirical evidence incorporates green energy, green technology, green finance, environmental tax, financial development, economic growth, and population as control variables within the STIRPAT theoretical framework. Second‐generation estimating techniques are utilized for empirical verification. An outstanding contribution of this study among others is the estimation of the moderating effects of green energy in mitigating the ensuing impact of natural resources on environmental sustainability. The results indicate that both production and consumption of natural resources, particularly coal and oil negatively affect environmental sustainability. Furthermore, green technology, energy, and finance as well as environmental tax are found to play a crucial role in promoting environmental sustainability. Green technology plays significant part in subduing the deteriorating effects of natural resources on the ecosystem. The robustness analyses further buttress the main analyses. Policy recommendations are proposed based on the empirical results.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12578   open full text
  • The synergy of renewable energy consumption, green technology, and environmental quality: Designing sustainable development goals policies.
    Abdullah Emre Caglar, Muhammet Daştan, Zahoor Ahmed, Mehmet Mert, Salih Bortecine Avci.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 435-452, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nGreen technology (GT) and the utilization of renewable energy (RE) are widely acknowledged as a catalyst for energy efficiency, economic growth, and a tool for combating environmental degradation. Although various studies have examined the ecological repercussions of these two improvements, they have primarily used traditional pollution indicators (namely, carbon emissions and ecological footprint) and ignored nations with the highest cleaner energy adoption. To bridge this gap, the present research seeks to analyze the relationship between GT, RE consumption, economic growth, trade, and load capacity factor in the top‐10 renewable economies. In addition to environmental pollution indicators, the study utilizes the load capacity factor as a novel proxy for environmental quality and investigates the load capacity curve hypothesis using the Cross‐sectional‐autoregressive distributed lag model from 1990 to 2021. According to the empirical findings, all explanatory variables have a significant long‐term effect on the load capacity. More precisely, GT and RE consumption contribute to the sustainability of the ecosystem, while trade increases the ecological deficit. Furthermore, the findings do not support the validity of the load capacity curve hypothesis, implying that the environmental restorative benefits of economic well‐being may not manifest in the latter stages of economic growth. Given these findings, policymakers in the top‐10 renewable economies should seize the environmental prospects offered by GT and RE and update trade and growth policies in a way that promotes biocapacity while simultaneously reducing the ecological footprint to reach the long‐term sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 7 and 13.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12577   open full text
  • Racing toward attaining sustainable development in India: Probing the asymmetric effect of country risk and coal energy.
    Yanfeng Wei, Muhammad Ramzan, Abraham Ayobamiji Awosusi, Berna Uzun, Khurshid Khudoykulov.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 390-411, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nThe pursuit of a sustainable environment is a common goal for many nations; however, achieving this has become increasingly difficult due to country‐specific risks, often referred to as country risk. Despite its importance, the relationship between country risk and environmental outcomes is still in its early stages of exploration. This study aims to bridge this gap by examining the influence of country risk on India's ecological footprint within an asymmetric empirical framework, while accounting for economic growth and coal energy consumption. Utilizing the nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) estimator, the analysis covers data from 1984 to 2018. The findings reveal that positive changes in economic and financial risk contribute to environmental improvement by significantly reducing the ecological footprint, whereas negative changes in these risks lead to an increase in ecological footprint. Additionally, positive changes in political risk, economic growth, and coal energy usage exacerbate the ecological footprint, while reductions in coal energy use and political risk lead to environmental benefits. Based on these outcomes, policymakers are encouraged to establish a clear risk benchmark and reduce the ecological footprint by fostering economic growth in a sustainable manner. Governments should also prioritize strong support for green technology investments and ensure stability across political, economic, and financial sectors to promote long‐term environmental sustainability.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12576   open full text
  • How green strategies and policies influence production‐based emissions, industrial development and sustainable development goals?
    Haoran Liu, Yunfei Jiang, Adnan Khurshid, Sardar Fawad Saleem, Adrian Cantemir Calin.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 349-370, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nSustainable development is a global imperative; however, it is unattainable without a transformation of the production sector. Therefore, the study examines the impact of green strategies [Industrial innovation, Eco‐tech imports‐IMPT, and Green finances‐GFN] and policy interventions [Environmental policy‐EPY and Environmental taxes‐ETX] on production‐based emissions (PBE), industrial value addition (IVA), and sustainable development goals (SDG). The study covers the years 1990–2022 and focuses on 25 European nations. In addition, the pooled mean grouped (PMG)‐ARDL and mean group (MG) techniques were used to assess the short‐ and long‐term parameters. The country‐specific relationships are evaluated using the Bootstrap Granger Causality test. The results affirm that green strategies and policy interventions mitigated PBE and increased the IVA and SDG in Europe. However, globalization and energy use increase the PBE and IVA while impeding progress toward the SDGs. The mitigation technologies fueled with green energy (MPRE) came out as the ultimate solution, which requires green technologies and sustainable practices across all sectors. Therefore, it is suggested that governments implement eco‐friendly policies that boost GFN, reduce pollution, increase green output, and meet the Sustainable Development Goals.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12574   open full text
  • Formulating a road map for decarbonization in United States via resource efficiency, renewable energy, and globalization: Evidence from time‐frequency‐quantile approach.
    Abraham Ayobamiji Awosusi, Oktay Özkan, Zahoor Ahmed, Demet Eroğlu Sevinç, Tomiwa Sunday Adebayo.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 323-348, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nRenewable energy, resource efficiency, and globalization are recognized as pivotal factors in the pursuit of environmental sustainability. This study's novelty lies in examining the impact of resource efficiency, the influence of globalization, and the adoption of renewable energy sources on energy‐related CO2 emissions in the United States spanning the years from 1990 to 2020 is the focus of this study. Additionally, this investigation leveraged a diverse range of time‐frequency‐quantile techniques, encompassing quantile‐on‐quantile regressions, wavelet coherence, cross quantile coherence, wavelet‐based quantile correlation, and quantile regression, which is an additional novel aspect of this study. The findings of this research indicate that resource efficiency, the utilization of renewable energy sources, and the forces of globalization collectively contribute to enhancing ecological sustainability by reducing energy‐related CO2 in the United States across a range of quantiles, time periods, and temporal contexts. The study posits that these findings offer a comprehensive framework that can guide policymakers in the United States toward taking tangible measures to advance ecological sustainability while curbing energy‐related CO2 emissions.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12571   open full text
  • Digital government initiatives for sustainable innovations, digitalization, and emission reduction policies to balance conservation impact.
    Ye Wang, Muhammad Umair, Yessengali Oskenbayev, Ainur Saparova.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 502-526, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nThe rapid advancement of digital technologies in China, America, India, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Indonesia, Germany, Iran, South Korea, and Russia presents both significant opportunities and challenges for achieving sustainable development, particularly in balancing economic growth with environmental conservation. This study rigorously assesses the impact of digital government initiatives on sustainable innovations and emission reduction policies from 2002 to 2022, focusing on their ability to balance ecological and economic influences. By employing a sophisticated model that integrates second‐generation tests to confirm cross‐sectional dependence and gradient variation, this research ensures the precision of its findings. The analysis reveals that digitalization, clean energy adoption, and the utilization of these countries' abundant natural resources over this two‐decade period have contributed substantially to reducing their ecological footprints. However, the study also identifies structural discontinuities in the linear trends and intercepts due to the integration of these technologies. By incorporating variables such as e‐commerce, income from natural resources, economic growth, conservation‐friendly technologies, sustainable energy sources, and carbon dioxide emissions, the model provides a comprehensive evaluation. The results highlight a consistent decline in ecological impact driven by technological and economic advancements. The policy implications are clear: to sustain and enhance these positive trends, governments must continue to promote digitalization and innovation while carefully managing the integration of new technologies to prevent potential disruptions.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12570   open full text
  • Impacts of ICT diffusion, foreign direct investment, trade openness, and globalization on growth in Sub‐Saharan Africa.
    Ijeoma Christina Onuogu, Abubakar Hassan, Seyi Saint Akadiri, Abdulwahab Ahmad Bello, Joshua Sunday Riti.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 247-274, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nOver the past three decades, there has been a significant increase in information and communication technology (ICT) investments around the world, resulting in a rise in the use of modern ICT packages. Sub‐Saharan African (SSA) countries, however, face different challenges. This study examines the relationship between ICT diffusion, foreign direct investment (FDI), trade openness, and economic globalization on inclusive growth for 48 SSA countries during 2005–2020. We use the modified generalized method of moments method for estimation. Empirical results reveal that ICT has a positive and significant influence on inclusive growth, while trade and economic globalization have a negative impact. FDI, on the other hand, has a favorable and considerable effect on inclusive growth. Inflation and vulnerable employment have negative impacts on inclusive growth, whereas social protection has a positive impact. From a policy standpoint, it is recommended that policymakers focus on enhancing ICT penetration in the region, particularly integrating ICT into the educational system to improve learning effectiveness and reduce research costs. Additionally, the interaction between economic globalization and ICT diffusion can enhance inclusive growth. Therefore, macroeconomic policies should promote ICT development, implement sound trade agreements, and attract capital inflows for inclusive economic growth. ICT diffusion is deemed both necessary and sufficient for SSA's advancement.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12569   open full text
  • Heterogeneous strategy and performance decomposition of regional industries in China: From the perspective of resource misallocation.
    Yu Cheng, Bin Su, Kangjuan Lv, Siwei Zhu.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 204-224, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nThe rapid expansion of China's industrial sector has been accompanied by energy consumption and environmental pollution. Accurately identifying the sources of inefficiency of industrial sector is crucial for achieving sustainable development. To address this issue, this study develops a novel decomposition approach that combines the concepts of natural and managerial disposability with an aggregate directional distance function approach to measure the performance of regional industries in China from 2006 to 2019. In the proposed approach, the overall inefficiency is decomposed into technical inefficiency and structural inefficiency. The latter component, which captures inefficiency associated with resource misallocation within a country, is further divided into mix and scale elements. The results show that there remains much room for potential improvement in both the operational and environmental performance of China's industrial system, particularly in the central area. Furthermore, structural inefficiency is the primary contributor to the overall inefficiency of Chinese industry under natural disposability, whereas technical inefficiency appears as the main source of the inefficiency under managerial disposability. The results also reveal great disparities in terms of the overall inefficiency and the sources of inefficiency of Chinese industrial sector among regions between different mitigation strategies. Given the substantial structural effect on the performance of Chinese industries across regions, it is necessary to accelerate the establishment of market mechanisms to promote efficient allocation of resources.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12568   open full text
  • Dynamics of China's development: Long–short perspectives on institutions, globalization, technology, and environmental quality using auto regressive distributive lag.
    Niu Shuhai, Ali Zeb, Mohsin Rasheed, Obaid Ullah, Naeem Ud Din.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 567-594, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nThis study investigates the connections among institutional quality (IQ), globalization, technological innovation, and environmental sustainability in China, using time‐series data from 1995 to 2022. The autoregressive distributive lag model (ARDL) and Granger causality, stability, and diagnostics approaches were employed for rigorous data analysis. Results of the ARDL test reveal that IQ and technological innovation have a negative and significant impact on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the long run. In the short run, globalization has an insignificant impact on CO2 emissions; on the other hand, IQ, technological innovation, foreign direct investment, and economic growth significantly affect CO2 emissions in China. The result of Granger causality also confirmed unidirectional causality running from globalization, technological innovation, and IQ toward CO2 emissions. Furthermore, the NARDL analyses supported this research's findings. The study suggests that implementing effective environmental regulations, improving governance, and promoting transparency and accountability can enhance the enforcement of environmental policies. Although allowing the limited short‐term impact of globalization, planned global engagement associated with ecological goals is also recommended. Furthermore, policy recommendations include investing in research and development of green technologies, incentivizing companies to adopt eco‐friendly practices, and supporting startups focused on environmental solutions, which can drive positive change toward environmental sustainability in China.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12583   open full text
  • Can energy intensity, clean energy utilization, economic expansion, and financial development contribute to ecological progress in Iceland? A quantile‐on‐quantile KRLS analysis.
    Oluwatoyin Abidemi Somoye, Awosusi Abraham Ayobamiji.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 64-83, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nGlobal challenges, such as the COVID‐19 impacts, climate crisis, and geopolitical tensions, have prompted economic transformations. These issues have led to macroeconomic data assuming non‐normal distributions, necessitating a nonlinear analytical approach. As a result, this study unveils the influence of energy intensity, renewable energy, economic growth, and financial development on carbon dioxide emissions in Iceland from 1995Q1 to 2020Q4 using the Quantile‐on‐Quantile Kernel‐Based Regularized Least Squares (QQKRLS) and Wavelets Quantile Correlation (WQC) methods. The QQKRLS results showed that energy intensity, renewable energy, and economic growth are negatively associated with carbon dioxide emissions across various quantiles, while financial development is positively linked with carbon dioxide emissions. Furthermore, the WQC outcomes confirm the results of the QQKRLS. In addition, in the short and medium term, financial development negatively affects carbon dioxide emissions across various quantiles, while in the long term, financial development positively influences carbon dioxide emissions. In light of the results gleaned from this study, Iceland should continue on its path of renewable energy investments, create policies that will completely decouple economic growth from carbon dioxide emissions, and ensure that the development of the financial system is funding clean energy activities. This provides a roadmap for sustainable economic and environmental development.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12564   open full text
  • The dynamics of green technological innovation and environmental policy stringency for sustainable environment in BRICS economies.
    Nudrat Fatima, Zheng Yanting, Ni Guohua, Muhammad Kamran Khan.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 275-304, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nThe continuous rise in global economic growth (EG) and human activities has contributed to the release of CO2, emphasizing the crucial role of environmental policy stringency (EPS) in encouraging green innovation to lower CO2 emissions levels and achieve environmental sustainability. This study aims to analyze the direct impacts of geopolitical risk (GPR), renewable energy consumption (RE), EPS, green technical innovation, and EG on CO2 emissions in Brazil Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) economies on the dataset spanning from 1990 to 2020 using dynamic ordinary least square, fully modified ordinary least square, and method of moment quantile regression approach. The results demonstrate that stringent environmental regulations and the adoption of green technology are negatively associated with CO2 emissions. Further, the interaction of INV*EPS also demonstrates a negative impact on CO2 emission. In contrast, GPR and EG have a positive effect on CO2 emissions. These findings suggest that it is imperative for the policymakers of BRICS economies to implement measures that effectively encourage the adoption of green innovative technologies through the adoption of robust policy initiatives. In general conclusion, the long‐term viability depends on the implementation of green innovations by enacting strict environmental regulations in the sample countries. Based on these findings study suggests that there is a need to prioritize the consumption of renewable energy sources, the adoption of rigorous environmental regulations, and the utilization of climate‐friendly technology to attain extensive and sustainable economic development. Furthermore, this study urges the attention of government officials and policymakers in these economies to redesign more effective strategies to address these potential challenges and safeguard the environment.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12563   open full text
  • Trade‐offs and synergies: Examining the impact of natural resource rents and energy efficiency on financial development in the RCEP context.
    Yuhong Tang, Muhammad Imran.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 225-246, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nThis study investigates the complex interplay between financial and economic development within the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) countries—Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea—from 2000 to 2022, with a focus on the impacts of natural resource rents and energy efficiency. Employing moment quantile regression to address non‐normal data distribution identified by the Jarque–Bera (JB) test, we unveil diverse slopes and cross‐sectional interdependencies, necessitating a nuanced examination. Panel unit root tests confirm non‐stationarity, enabling a thorough investigation. Our findings reveal a long‐term cointegration relationship between natural resource rents, energy efficiency, economic development, and foreign direct investment (FDI), providing a holistic understanding of their dynamics. Notably, our analysis exposes the trade‐off between natural resource abundance and financial growth, as evidenced by negative coefficients for natural resource rents, while positive coefficients for economic growth, energy efficiency, and FDI counterbalance this effect, fostering a conducive financial environment. Additionally, our examination of location and scale characteristics unveils vulnerabilities associated with natural resources alongside stability indicators linked to economic growth, energy efficiency, and FDI. By employing quantile regression, our study sheds light on the nuanced impacts of natural resources, offering valuable insights for policymakers and researchers in navigating sustainable financial development within the RCEP framework.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12561   open full text
  • Examining the contribution of globalization, renewable energy, and economic growth towards CO2 emissions in the G‐7 countries.
    Ying Li, Tongxin Li, Muhammad Adil Javed, Abdelmohsen A. Nassani.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 122-138, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nMost of the world's developed countries have negative consequences of unbalanced economic growth and environmental sustainability. The current study contributes to the literature by investigating the impacts of sub‐indices of globalization, renewable energy, and economic growth on CO2 emissions in G‐7 countries of United Kingdom, United States, Japan, Canada, France, Italy, and Germany. The article demonstrates the correlation between numerous variables in the G‐7 countries between 1990 and 2020, including GDP per capita growth, CO2 emissions, globalization, and renewable and non‐renewable energy. The Pooled Mean Group (PMG) technique performs significant tests for cross‐sectional dependence, panel unit root, co‐integration, and descriptive statistics. The study results show that environmental pollution rises with economic growth and falls in the presence of renewable energy sources. Renewable energy use, political globalization, and economic globalization lower environmental harm. From the finding, we indicate that we reduce the environmental pollution in the given countries by lowering or raising the factor affecting the country. A globe map was used in the current study to assign the G‐7 nations. Based on the findings, we addressed several policy initiatives.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12559   open full text
  • The nexus of foreign aid, institutional quality, and climate‐related financial policies: Evidence from the global database.
    Le Thanh Ha.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 38-63, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nThis article represents the first endeavor to establish a connection between foreign aid and climate‐related financial policies (CRFPs) within the European region. The findings are critical to suggest policy implications for governments in making capital flow effective, especially in mitigating environmental degradation. CRFPs represent the count of climate‐related financial policies implemented by 28 European countries annually from 2010 to 2021. We utilize four distinct indicators to capture foreign aid, namely net foreign aid, net Official Development Assistance (ODA) received development index, net ODA received share, and net ODA received per capita. Our research reveals that foreign aid has an adverse effect on CRFPs, as evidenced across all four measures of foreign aid. Notably, the net ODA received share demonstrates a nonlinear relationship with CRFPs. Additionally, we conducted a study to examine how institutional quality moderates the association between financial aid and the implementation of CRFPs. The findings suggest that good institutional quality amplifies the impact of foreign aid on CRFPs.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12553   open full text
  • How natural resource consumption, trade, energy transition, and geopolitical risk drive sustainable development in G20 nations?
    Jialin Li.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 659-684, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nThe members of the G20 have seen remarkable fiscal growth in recent years, along with a rise in the demand of consumers for energy. The G20 countries, however, use a significant amount of energy products derived from fossil fuels, which could be harmful to the sustainable development goals. This paper assesses the complex relationships between commerce, the energy transition, the use of natural resources, banking development, monetary development, geopolitical issues, and ecological deterioration. For our statistical analysis, this study employed extensive fiscal models and empirical datasets covering the years 1990–2020. The statistical findings using the Moments Quantile Regression method show that breakthroughs in finance and energy transition guarantee sustainable development. The geopolitical risk, economic expansion, and use of natural resources all contribute to the decline of ecological conditions. But trading's overall effect on the health of the world was not consistent. Our thorough empirical study makes it possible for governments to recommend effective laws to solve environmental issues.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12588   open full text
  • The interface between economic growth, carbon emissions, and health in the Asia‐Pacific region: Analysis of unobserved distributional heterogeneity.
    Deepak Kumar Behera, P. K. Viswanathan.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 595-613, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nThe increasing nexus between economic growth and the resultant environmental and health challenges are of particular concern for developing countries. However, there is less evidence on the net effect of economic growth (EG) on air pollution, health spending, or vice‐versa in the Asia‐Pacific region. Therefore, this study explores important research questions: (a) Whether there exists any simultaneous relationship between Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita (a proxy for EG), carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per capita, and health expenditure (HE) per capita?; and (b) Does there exist any unobserved distributional heterogeneity across the Asia‐Pacific region that influence the elasticity? To address these questions, we examine the interface between GDP per capita, CO2 emissions per capita, and HE per capita in 52 countries from the Asia‐Pacific region for the period 2000–2014 using bootstrapping fixed‐effects (FEs) quantile regression model. Our results show that there is a variation in distributional effects between HE, EG, and CO2 emissions. By and large, there is a positive relationship between HE, EG, and CO2 emission across quantiles, though the coefficient values differ, and elasticity could be greater or lesser than one. It is also observed that growth raises health spending and increases pollution in lower‐income countries. On the contrary, income growth also promotes the adoption of green technology, reduces pollution, improves population health, and reduces healthcare spending in higher income countries. The study brings out some important suggestions from public policy perspectives to streamline the healthcare and sanitation sectors, and environmental quality across countries as integral aspects of sustainable growth strategies and the achievement of the United Nations SDG Agenda 2030. The findings and suggestions assume added significance in the post‐pandemic COVID‐19 scenario, as it calls for revamping the healthcare management systems across countries.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12584   open full text
  • Technological change, climate change and food production in Benin.
    Armand Fréjuis Akpa, Augustin Foster Chabossou.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 527-541, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nThis study analyses the climate change and technological change impact on food production in Benin using data from the agriculture ministry and Climate Analytics over the period 1995–2015 and a bio‐economic model. The results suggest that land‐use changes may depend on crop types and prevailing future conditions. With respect to crop production, the results show that the climate change effect on different crops varies from one municipality to another. Moreover, crops such as rice and soybean will benefit more from climate change in several Benin's municipalities, while maize will suffer from climate change. Moreover, results showed technological change globally mitigates the negative impact of moderate climate change. The results suggest that Beninese's government must invest in agriculture technology through agriculture and engineering high schools' installation, which could improve farmers' productivity and efficiency.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12582   open full text
  • Industrial agglomeration, environmental regulation, and high‐quality development in rural China: From the perspective of spatial effect.
    Xu Ruifan, Hao Dequan, Ding Yun, Liu Wenxin.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 469-501, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nExplore the interaction and spatial spillover effects between industrial agglomeration, environmental regulation, and high‐quality development of agriculture and rural areas, formulate appropriate industrial and environmental policies for different regions, guide the orderly agglomeration of agricultural sectors, and adjust the intensity of environmental regulation, which will help achieve high‐quality development. This manuscript firstly deconstructs the internal logic among industrial agglomeration, environmental regulation, and high‐quality development. Secondly, the Super‐SBM model is used to calculate the high‐quality development efficiency in rural China from 2000 to 2020. Finally, the Spatial Dubin Model (SDM) is used to analyze the spatial spillover effects and regional differences of industrial agglomeration, environmental regulation, and their integration impact on high‐quality development in rural China. The results show that: ① From 2000 to 2020, the high‐quality development efficiency shows a downward trend in fluctuation, and high‐quality development needs to be improved. ② There are significant regional differences in the effects of industrial agglomeration and environmental regulation on the high‐quality development efficiency. Industrial specialization agglomeration can effectively improve the high‐quality development efficiency, while industrial diversification agglomeration has uncertain effects. ③ The integration of environmental regulation and diversification agglomeration inhibits the high‐quality development efficiency, while the integration with specialization agglomeration has a stronger effect on improving high‐quality development efficiency. It is necessary to further enhance the effect of diversification agglomeration.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12581   open full text
  • Investigating rainwater harvesting system efficiency in Taiwan: A study on constructing precipitation variation indicators and assessing climate change impact.
    Ming‐Cheng Liao, Wen‐Pei Sung, Yun Li.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 634-658, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nThe global water scarcity crisis demands innovative solutions, and rainwater harvesting systems (RWHS) offer a promising alternative. Focused on Taiwan's abundant rainfall, this study explores RWHS efficiency amidst changing precipitation patterns due to global climate change. Analyzing data from 1981 to 2020 across 20 stations, it scrutinizes variations in precipitation quantities, frequencies, seasonality indices, and dry period durations. Through rigorous analysis and simulation, it assesses RWHS operation efficiency metrics like potable water substitution and reliability. Utilizing principal component analysis, the study develops precipitation variation indicators to forecast RWHS efficiency, revealing significant variations in seasonality index and precipitation frequency. Despite declining long‐term efficiency, the study finds relatively modest variations in water‐savings percentage, suggesting avenues for mitigation. With a notable 78.04% explained variance, the study's credibility is reinforced, supported by high coefficients of determination (R2) for predicted water‐savings percentage (0.91) and reliability (0.90). Additionally, the study highlights factors impacting RWHS efficiency, advocating tailored approaches considering local precipitation patterns, building types, and population density. By optimizing RWHS design to diverse settings, effective water resource management and sustainability goals can be achieved. This research serves as a valuable guide in navigating RWHS implementation amidst a changing climate landscape.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12585   open full text
  • Geopolitical risk and natural resources: A comparative analysis of trade integration in the African and European Unions.
    Sidra Nazir, Oleg Mariev, Kazi Sohag.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 614-633, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nGeopolitically induced energy insecurity can impede trade integration among different economic blocs. This study employs a novel, sophisticated Fourier‐augmented ARDL methodology to explore the relationship between energy commodity prices, geopolitical risks, and trade integration within the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) from January 2000 to December 2023. Amid increasing geopolitical tensions, this analysis uncovers distinct impacts on the trade dynamics of the AU and EU, highlighting the complex interplay between natural resource abundance and geopolitical risk. The empirical findings reveal that energy resource prices generally impede trade integration in both regions, supporting the natural resource curse hypothesis. However, geopolitical risk has a divergent effect, facilitating trade integration in the AU while hindering it in the EU. One of the novelties of this study is the use of the Fourier‐augmented ARDL approach, which accounts for multiple structural breaks in the data, providing robust results. Additionally, the study comparative analysis of AU and EU regional trade dynamics in the context of geopolitical risks is another significant contribution. The inclusion of precious metals and global supply chain variables provides deeper insights into regional trade dynamics, emphasizing the importance of proactive geopolitical risk management. The findings suggest that tailored policy measures aimed at leveraging natural resources effectively while mitigating geopolitical risks can pave the way for sustainable economic growth and integration in both the AU and EU.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12586   open full text
  • Impact of foreign direct investment on methane emissions in agriculture: An empirical evidence based on Sub‐Saharan Africa.
    Mikémina Pilo, Komlan Olakossan Gbegnon.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, Volume 50, Issue 1, Page 24-37, February 2026. ", "\nAbstract\nThe issue of greenhouse gas emissions from foreign direct investment (FDI) continues to fuel debate in the climate change mitigation literature. Some support the pollution halo hypothesis while others emphasize on the pollution haven hypothesis. Thus, the overall objective of this research is to analyze the effect of agricultural foreign direct investment on methane emissions in Sub‐Saharan Africa. The data for the study are from several sources, mainly FAOSTAT, WDI, and Chin‐Ito Index. For econometric estimations, Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) model is applied to unbalanced panel data and the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) is used for robustness check. The results indicate that increasing agricultural foreign direct investment by 1% increases methane emissions by 3.30% in Sub‐Saharan Africa, thus confirming the pollution haven hypothesis. Consequently, the move toward the Paris Agreement is proving to be delicate in an increasing agricultural FDI context. Thus, the integration of climate change mitigation strategies into the business plans of foreign agricultural investors is strongly recommended in Sub‐Saharan Africa.\n"]
    February 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12555   open full text
  • Examining Organisational Resources and Institutional Pressures on Proactive Environmental Strategy and Eco‐Innovation Practices: Moderating Role of Green Agility.
    Say Keat Ooi, Khalid Rasheed Memon, Shaohua Yang.
    Natural Resources Forum. January 25, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nDespite growing scholarly attention on eco‐innovation as a strategic response to environmental sustainability challenges, limited understanding persists regarding how internal resources and external institutional pressures interact to shape firms' eco‐innovation practices. Anchored in the resource‐based view (RBV), institutional theory, and the dynamic capabilities perspective, this study investigates how organisational resources and institutional pressures influence eco‐innovation through a proactive environmental strategy, and how green agility strengthens this relationship. Using data from 187 technologically innovative firms collected through a two‐wave time‐lagged survey, Partial Least Squares (PLS) path modelling and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) were employed to test the proposed model and validate its predictive performance. Results reveal that market demand, environmental capability, regulatory pressure and managerial concern significantly drive proactive environmental strategy, which in turn enhances eco‐innovation practices. Both PLS and ANN analyses converge on market demand as the most influential determinant. Moreover, green agility strengthens the effect of proactive environmental strategy on eco‐innovation, highlighting its function as an adaptive dynamic capability in rapidly changing environments. Cross‐validated predictive ability tests (CVPAT) further confirm the model's predictive robustness. This study advances theoretical understanding by integrating RBV, institutional and dynamic capabilities perspectives and offers practical insights for managers seeking to leverage strategic resources and agility to accelerate eco‐innovation.\n"]
    January 25, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70050   open full text
  • Assessing the Impact of PM10 and CO2 Greenhouse Gases From Road Transportation on Global Climate Change: A Mathematical Modeling Approach.
    Mehmet Akif Yerlikaya, Kürşat Yıldız, Büşra Nur Keskin, Aleyna Çinar.
    Natural Resources Forum. January 20, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThis study develops a mixed‐integer nonlinear optimisation model to jointly minimise PM10 and CO2 emissions from urban road transport in nine of Türkiye's most densely populated provinces, aligning with the targets of the Paris Agreement. The model is novel in its integration of environmental baselines (city‐level PM10 and CO2 levels), economic feasibility (GDP), and urban form variables (population density and land‐use ratios), creating a realistic and context‐aware decision framework. It applies three tiers of constraints: (i) 2023 regulatory emission ceilings, (ii) GDP‐based economic capacity thresholds, and (iii) nonlinear constraints reflecting how urban morphology influences policy adoption. A composite climate impact index—capturing post‐policy PM10, CO2, and their interaction—serves as the objective function to yield granular, city‐specific mitigation scenarios. Results indicate that cities like Ankara, Bursa, and Antalya can virtually eliminate PM10 emissions, while Istanbul achieves the highest CO2 reduction (87%), collectively delivering nearly 20 Tg CO2‐equivalent reduction. Sensitivity analysis confirms that moderate increases in GDP can enhance mitigation outcomes by expanding feasible policy space. As the first model in the Turkish context to embed both urban planning and economic structure into dual‐pollutant optimisation, this framework offers not only predictive capacity but also prescriptive guidance for policymakers. It enables comparative assessment of emission‐reduction strategies—such as fleet electrification, low‐emission zones, and transit infrastructure investment—offering a robust and transferable tool for other rapidly urbanising regions aiming to simultaneously advance air quality, public health, and climate resilience.\n"]
    January 20, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70048   open full text
  • Testing the Natural Resource Curse Hypothesis From an Environmental Perspective: Empirical Evidence From OPEC Countries.
    Emrah Eray Akça, Tayfun Tuncay Tosun.
    Natural Resources Forum. January 07, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThis study investigates how the abundance of natural resources, specifically crude oil production, affects environmental quality measured by fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration—a crucial indicator of air pollution and vital for human health—in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries from 2010 to 2019. It also considers various possible socioeconomic factors influencing environmental quality, drawing on theoretical arguments and existing literature. In this context, we estimate our empirical models through the feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) method as per the procedure of hierarchical panel regression analysis. This approach ensures our results are unbiased and efficient by addressing issues like heteroscedasticity, autocorrelation, and cross‐sectional dependency. The main result of the study refers to the positive nexus between crude oil production and PM2.5 concentration. In addition, the study finds no evidence supporting the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis. Population density is identified as another factor contributing to environmental contamination. Conversely, progress in industrialization, urbanization, and trade openness appears to enhance environmental quality. Additional analyses were conducted using the Driscoll‐Kraay and the system‐generalized method of moments approaches to validate these findings. The results from these methods strongly confirm the conclusions drawn from the FGLS approach regarding the relationship between natural resource abundance and environmental quality. Overall, the findings highlight the negative impact of natural resource abundance on environmental quality, illustrating the existence of a resource curse phenomenon from an environmental perspective. The study concludes with significant policy recommendations designed to mitigate the adverse effects of natural resource abundance on environmental quality.\n"]
    January 07, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70046   open full text
  • “Less Talk, More Action for the Climate: Reimagining Environmental Sustainability in Africa”—The Role of Environmental Tax, Globalization, and Clean Energy.
    Sodiq Olaide Bisiriyu, Manzoor Hassan Malik.
    Natural Resources Forum. January 02, 2026
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThe growing implications of global economic activities on climate change have intensified research on strategies to achieve environmental sustainability. However, in Africa, stronger climate actions are required due to the continent's high vulnerability to climate effects, low usage of clean energy, and increasing globalization. Motivated by these challenges, this study examines the influence of environmental tax, globalization, and clean energy on Africa's environmental sustainability using unbalanced panel data of 27 African countries from 2000 to 2020. The study employed Fixed Effect regression as an estimation technique to control unobserved heterogeneity and cross‐sectional dependency while the Driscoll–Kraay Standard Error (DKSE) is employed for robustness check to account for heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation. The results demonstrate that environmental tax functions more as revenue‐generating tools than as an effective mechanism for achieving environmental sustainability in Africa, while globalization shows no strong evidence of significantly reducing CO2 emissions. On the other hand, we found that clean energy consumption significantly contributes to the reduction in CO2 emissions, highlighting its critical role in achieving a sustainable environment. Also, the results suggest that stringent environmental measures must be adopted by African countries toward mitigating rising CO2 emissions and achieving environmental sustainability. Lastly, the empirical findings underscore the critical role of environmental tax, globalization, and clean energy in achieving environmental sustainability in Africa, as a well‐balanced integration of these three elements can create pathways toward sustainable development.\n"]
    January 02, 2026   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70045   open full text
  • An Integrated Perspective on Fintech, Natural Resource Rent and Sustainable Development: Evidence From BRICS Economies.
    R. L. Manogna, Rupesh Yarlagadda, Anudeep Chimata, Harsh Vardhan Poddar.
    Natural Resources Forum. December 29, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThe sustainable development of the BRICS nations is a critical global concern. As emerging economies, the BRICS countries play a significant role in shaping the world's future. Understanding the factors influencing their sustainable development is essential for policymakers and researchers to enable nations to grow together and deal with global uncertainties. This study investigates the impact of financial technology on the sustainable development of the BRICS nations. Using panel data from 2000 to 2022, we employ the Method of Moments Quantile Regressions to analyse the relationships between financial institutions' efficiency, research and development investments, and sustainable development. To substantiate our findings, we conduct robustness checks using Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares and Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares tests. We control for total natural resource rent and gross domestic product as additional factors influencing sustainable growth. Our results consistently demonstrate that financial institution efficiency and R&D expenditure positively influence sustainable development, while increasing natural resources rent has a negative impact. These findings highlight the importance of diversifying economies and promoting innovation in the BRICS countries to achieve sustainable development.\n"]
    December 29, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70043   open full text
  • Resource Wealth and Environmental Resilience: Mapping African Economies.
    Asim Iqbal, Syed Jaffar Abbas, Kanwal Zahra.
    Natural Resources Forum. December 18, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nEffective management of natural resources is paramount for achieving sustainable economic growth while mitigating environmental degradation in resource‐rich regions. This study investigates the impact and spatial spillover effects of natural resources on economic growth and CO2 emissions for 54 African countries. The data from 2005 to 2022 were collected from the World Development Indicators (WDI). Recognizing the endogeneity issues, the study utilized two‐stage least square estimation approaches, including panel 2SLS, Spatial Autoregressive (SAR), and Spatial Durbin Model (SDM) estimations to obtain both spatial and non‐spatial estimates. The non‐spatial results indicate a strong positive impact of natural resources, CO2 emissions, FDI, and governance on growth, while reliance on renewable energy sources may temporarily lower GDP due to initial transition costs. Moreover, GDP growth, FDI, and governance positively affect CO2 emissions, whereas natural resources and renewable energy inversely influence CO2 emissions. In addition, the spatial analysis findings reveal that GDP growth in one country positively influences GDP growth in neighboring countries and neighboring countries' natural resources also have significant spatial spillover effects on the GDP growth in the region. Moreover, CO2 emissions exhibit spatial interdependence with neighboring nations and the natural resources of neighboring countries exert significant spatial spillover effects on CO2 emissions. This study contributes to the literature by providing a comprehensive spatial and non‐spatial analysis of the natural resource‐economic growth‐environment nexus in Africa. It provides novel insights into the spatial spillover effects that have been overlooked in prior research. The findings recommend boosting regional cooperation in resource management and emission reduction to get benefits on positive GDP growth spillover effects and mitigate CO2 emissions across neighboring African countries.\n"]
    December 18, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70044   open full text
  • Investigating the Role of Development in Financial Markets and Institutions on Low‐Carbon Energy Strategy in India.
    Priyanka Bose, Bamadev Mahapatra, Saswat Kishore Mishra.
    Natural Resources Forum. December 16, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nOne of India's strategic goals is to boost the country's use of renewable energy; however, limited empirical insight exists on how the financial sector influences this transition. This study explores the intricate relationship between financial development and renewable energy generation, focusing on the differentiated roles of financial institutions and financial markets in India. Employing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach over the period 1990–2019, the study justifies its methodology due to the mixed order of integration revealed through unit root tests and the need to model both short‐run and long‐run dynamics. Additionally, a structural break in the data identified through the Chow test reinforces the appropriateness of using ARDL for robust inference. The results confirm the existence of a stable long‐run equilibrium relationship among the variables, as shown by the ARDL bounds F‐test. Empirical findings demonstrate that financial institutions exert a statistically significant and positive influence on renewable energy deployment in the short and long run. At the same time, financial markets also contribute positively, albeit to a lesser extent. These findings have significant policy implications: enhancing the depth and efficiency of financial institutions could accelerate India's renewable energy goals. In light of these results, the study advocates for targeted financial sector reforms, improved regulatory frameworks, and supportive investment mechanisms to bridge financial gaps in clean energy sectors. The insights offer valuable guidance for policymakers to align financial development strategies with India's sustainable development and energy transition objectives.\n"]
    December 16, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70042   open full text
  • Does Country Risk Change the Financial Resource Curse Into a Blessing? Evidence From an Emerging Economy.
    Faisal Faisal, Suresh Ramakrishnan, Sami Ur Rahman, Adnan Ali, Hamid Ghazi H Sulimany.
    Natural Resources Forum. December 12, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThe quality of institutions is crucial for managing natural resource (NR) revenues in the economic and financial system. However, higher country risk (political, economic, and financial) plays a significant role in the resource‐blessing or resource‐curse paradox. This novel study expands the literature by examining the role of country risk in the NR revenue and financial institutions' development (FD) relationship in Pakistan using data from 1984 to 2020. The study applies several econometric techniques, including the Fourier ADF and GLS unit root, Bayer–Hanck cointegration, ARDL, and Single Fourier Frequency Toda Yamamoto causality tests. The study findings indicate that resource revenues have a positive impact on financial development in the economic and political risk demand models, validating the financial resource‐blessing hypothesis. A positive impact of political, economic, and financial risk on financial development is explored. Moreover, the study highlights that financial and political risk negatively moderate the resource–finance relationship. Finally, a unidirectional causality running from financial development towards political risk financial risk and resource rents is explored. Based on the empirical findings, it is suggested that country risk should be controlled while managing resource revenues in the financial system in order to ensure the resource‐blessing phenomenon in the economy.\n"]
    December 12, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70041   open full text
  • Does a Falling Agricultural Share in GDP Affect Environmental Outcomes in the Long Run? An Ecological Deficit–Based Robust Analysis.
    Shadman Zafar, Haroon Rasool.
    Natural Resources Forum. December 12, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nA considerable vacuum in the literature exists regarding empirical evaluations of the link between agricultural growth and environmental concerns in India. Although several studies address this problem, they often present a narrow view by focusing on carbon emissions. The main contribution of this work is the use of the ecological deficit as a broad indicator, which had previously not been investigated in the Indian agricultural setting to assess environmental repercussions. Such an approach allows for a more in‐depth comparison with greenhouse gas emissions and provides a more nuanced view of agricultural development's sustainability. By utlizing annual data from 1990 to 2019 and the Autoregressive Distributed Lag model, the findings show that agricultural development has a negative impact on environmental outcomes, implying that a declining share of agricultural GDP is harmful to environmental well‐being. These results underline the agriculture sector's vital role in reducing environmental deterioration, as well as the importance of improving India's performance in the Environmental Performance Index 2022. To realize the sector's carbon sequestration potential and improve environmental performance, it is critical to promote sustainable agriculture methods such as organic farming, micro‐irrigation, and renewable energy production. A version of this abstract was previously published in the proceedings of [International Summit Scientific Research Congress, Turkiye, 2024] https://www.gapzirvesi.org/_files/ugd/614b1f_fc7851ac06414bd3a07132647afd3463.pdf.\n"]
    December 12, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70038   open full text
  • Exploring the Relationship Between Public Debt and Environmental Performance in India: Does Moderating Role of Institutional Quality Matter?
    Arjun, Bibhuti Ranjan Mishra.
    Natural Resources Forum. November 27, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThis study aims to investigate whether “institutional quality” is an indicator that moderates the interrelationship between public debt and environmental quality in India between 1996 and 2019. The present work uses traditional and modern unit root tests with multiple breaks and an “autoregressive distributed lag” bound test model for empirical examination. Long‐run and short‐run findings suggest that high public debt statistically and significantly damages environmental quality. Low institutional quality also significantly deteriorates the environment. The results of the moderating role of public debt and institutional quality suggest that they have an unfavorable impact on policies that harm the environment. This study has found evidence of an inverted U‐shaped EKC for India. Furthermore, findings from the ARDL model are confirmed using Fully‐Modified Ordinary Least Squares, Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares, and Canonical Cointegration Regression techniques. The causal relationship between the underlying variables is captured using the pair‐wise Granger causality test. To address the environmental issues, this study has made policy recommendations to revise trade policy, improve institutional quality, maintain a certain level of public debt, and ensure the new debt threshold level to maintain environmental performance.\n"]
    November 27, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70040   open full text
  • When Do Natural Resources Promote Entrepreneurial Activities in Oil‐Rich Countries? Fresh Evidence From a Moderated Mediation Analysis.
    Henda Omri, Sabrine Dhahri, Anis Omri.
    Natural Resources Forum. November 07, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThe relationship between natural resource abundance and economic activities has been a subject of ongoing debate. While it is widely recognized that resources can potentially generate wealth, numerous resource‐rich countries have experienced a deceleration in their economic growth. This study offers fresh insights into how countries can effectively address this challenge by harnessing their resources to stimulate entrepreneurial activity. Specifically, it investigates whether natural resource rents affect entrepreneurship activity by examining the mediating role of financial development and the moderating effect of governance quality in the case of 13 oil‐rich economies from 2005 to 2021. Using Hayes' PROCESS approach, the findings show that while natural resource rents have no direct effect on entrepreneurship, financial development acts as a mediator. In other words, the rent of natural resources decreases financial development, increasing necessity entrepreneurship and decreasing opportunity entrepreneurship. On the other hand, the moderated mediation analysis reveals that good governance moderates the impact of natural resource rents on financial development, promoting opportunity‐driven entrepreneurship and discouraging necessity‐driven entrepreneurship. The study highlights governance as a potential response mechanism that leverages natural resource endowments to promote opportunity‐based entrepreneurship, provided rents are efficiently managed and channeled into the financial sector to increase capital availability for ventures seeking to address unmet needs. A country can help transform these revenues into drivers of financial development and sustainable entrepreneurship by enhancing transparency, combating corruption, and fostering strong institutions through effective policies.\n"]
    November 07, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70039   open full text
  • Biogas Plant‐Based Educational Model: A Need‐Based Solution for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
    Prajakta S. Sarang.
    Natural Resources Forum. October 14, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nA rapid transformation of societies through sustainable development is one of the solutions proposed to address the catastrophic problem of climate change that the world is facing today. In the past, may be, efforts have been made in silos by the different sectors of society to unmask such solutions. In the present study, however, a biogas plant‐based educational model is proposed, wherein different sectors of society like government, educational organizations, educators, youth, and communities are propounded to work conjointly in a holistic manner to resolve the problem of greenhouse gas emissions. This model is conceptualized by studying the genesis, implementation, and achievements of other such already executed models which were designed using the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) theme; a response of UNESCO's education sector to climate change problems. In the proposed educational model, the government will play a decisive role in the development, promotion, and implementation of biogas plants through policy directives. Through curriculum upgradation and collaborations, educational organizations will favorably transform the learning environments for the practice of sustainability. Educators will shoulder the responsibility of bringing the dream of green transition into reality by training the masses for the development of green skills. Youth, the next generation, by honing their green skills, will execute sustainability‐related projects for a better future of the planet. Through active participation and contribution in sustainability‐related activities, communities will make the world a sustainable habitat to live in. Theoretical projections of the attainment of different sustainable development goals are proclaimed based on the current literature available in this context. This model, if executed successfully, will have the potential to address the climate change problem through the circular economy concept, wherein societal waste is converted into a source of renewable energy.\n"]
    October 14, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70037   open full text
  • Is There a Trade‐Off Between Sustainable Development Goals Achievement and Banking Profitability? Evidence From Combined Non‐Parametric Methods.
    Le Quoc Dinh.
    Natural Resources Forum. October 13, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThe present study endeavors to investigate whether there exists a trade‐off between banking profitability stemming from credit expansion activities and endeavors aligned with sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Vietnam. Spanning from 2000 to 2022, the study utilizes banking profitability data (ROA) retrieved from the WDI database, and SDG data, encompassing SD2, SD3, SD4, SD6, SD7, SD12, and SD13, sourced from SDG. Employing two combined non‐parametric methodologies, Quantile‐on‐Quantile regression and Wavelet coherence models, the research unveils compelling insights. Notably, concerning SDG2, SDG4, SDG6, SDG7, and SDG12, the support extended by banks toward these objectives indicates both positive and negative associations over the study duration. A robust negative correlation is discerned between SDG12 and ROA, implying that financing activities and projects aligned with SDG12 in Vietnam may entail disproportionately high costs relative to the profits accrued. Conversely, SDG13 manifests a positive correlation across quantiles, suggesting that banks in Vietnam endorsing endeavors aimed at addressing climate change could bolster their profitability. Moreover, intervals of positive correlation between ROA and SDGs (excluding SDG12) are notably pronounced in the 2015–2016 timeframe, following the SDG summit, underscoring the importance of SD‐focused initiatives and sending clear signals to economic actors, including banks, to rally behind these objectives.\n"]
    October 13, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70036   open full text
  • Toward Climate Neutrality: How Can Sustainable Waste Management, Financial Development, and Green Policies Promote a Sustainable Environment in China?
    Xue Dang, Ding Ren, Abdulrahman Alomair, Abdulaziz S. Al Naim.
    Natural Resources Forum. October 02, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nRecent evidence highlights China as the leading generator of waste in the Asia‐Pacific region, placing the nation under further scrutiny for environmental challenges beyond its carbon emissions profile. Although climate finance initiatives and recycling practices are recognized within SDGs 3, 6, 12, and 13 as potential strategies to curb this ecological burden, empirical studies focusing specifically on China remain limited. To address this gap, the present research delivers the first empirical assessment of both the symmetric and asymmetric impacts of waste management and financial development (FDV) on carbon emissions in China. A further contribution is the construction of a composite index for green policies, derived from three key elements—green technology, green finance, and renewable energy. The analysis also incorporates urbanization and affluence as control factors, using quarterly data spanning 1997Q1–2022Q4. Methodologically, the study employs autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) and nonlinear ARDL (NARDL) approaches, complemented by robustness checks using long‐run estimators. The findings show that improvements in waste management exert a positive influence on climate neutrality, whereas adverse shocks prove insignificant. By contrast, financial development displays negligible effects when positive but worsens environmental outcomes when negative. The green policy index and its components support climate neutrality, while affluence and urbanization act as impediments. Causality tests further indicate both unidirectional and bidirectional relationships, underscoring the predictive power of these parameters in shaping China's pathway toward climate neutrality. Based on these results, the study outlines policy measures aimed at reinforcing the pursuit of climate neutrality.\n"]
    October 02, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70035   open full text
  • Sustainable Development Pathways: Assessing Energy Security Risk, Information Communication Technologies, Natural Resources Rents, and Green Innovation on Environmental Quality in the United States.
    Mehmet Aydin, Esra Guney, Furkan Acikgoz, Busra Yigit, Bunyamin Yasin Cakmak.
    Natural Resources Forum. September 29, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nPursuing sustainable development in the contemporary era necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the intricate dynamics between environmental factors and socio‐economic processes. This study scrutinizes how energy security risk, information and communication technologies, natural resource rents, and green innovation affect environmental quality in the United States. This research uses data from 1990 to 2020 and applies advanced methods, including Fourier‐based cointegration and long‐run estimators, to analyze the relationships between these variables and environmental outcomes. The study robustly indicates that energy security risk, information and communication technologies, and natural resource rents exert detrimental effects on ecological quality. Conversely, the analysis demonstrates that green innovation positively contributes to improving environmental quality. The findings highlight the balance between technology, resource use, and environmental sustainability, emphasizing the need for strategies to reduce negative effects and support sustainable development.\n"]
    September 29, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70034   open full text
  • Marking Asymmetric Effects of Green and Blue Economy Factors on Carbon Emissions in South Asia: Sustainable Development Goals in Perspective.
    Saqib Mehmood, Rudsada Kaewsaeng‐on.
    Natural Resources Forum. September 27, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nEnvironmental concerns, such as carbon emissions, are critical to address for attaining sustainable development goals because they significantly impact climate change, public health, and the sustainability of ecosystems. This study is grounded in ecological modernization theory (EMT) and considers green factors—renewable energy consumption (GRNE), adjusted net savings (GANS), and forest area (GFAL)—and blue factors—aquaculture (BACP) and fisheries production (BTFP)—of the economy and foreign direct investment in addressing environmental concerns and mitigating their impact on carbon emissions in South Asia. The novel panel quantile regression technique is applied to data from 1992 to 2022. The results reveal significant heterogeneity in the impact of these factors across different levels of carbon emissions. GRNE demonstrates a strong negative effect on emissions, especially in higher quantiles, underscoring its role in mitigating environmental degradation. GANS shows a significant reduction in emissions in mid‐level quantiles, but its impact diminishes in the highest quantiles. Conversely, GFAL has a counterintuitive positive relationship with emissions across most quantiles, suggesting deforestation or forest mismanagement in the region. BACP consistently reduces emissions in lower quantiles, while BTFP exhibits a positive relation with emissions, particularly in middle quantiles, likely due to the carbon‐intensive nature of fisheries. Finally, CFDI is associated with higher emissions in the middle‐ and higher quantiles, indicating that foreign investments may be directed toward polluting sectors. The slope equality test confirms that the coefficients are unequal across the specified quantiles, while symmetric quantile tests endorse asymmetrical effects. This study offers critical insights into how South Asia's energy consumption and resource management impact carbon emissions, highlighting the effectiveness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030. Policymakers should consider these diverse/quantile specified effects when designing targeted strategies to reduce carbon emissions. Nevertheless, leveraging the strengths of green and blue factors in the economy and responsible investment practices can help attain the SDGs.\n"]
    September 27, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70033   open full text
  • Does Urbanization Increase Happiness in Africa?
    Aristophane Djeufack Dongmo, Désiré Avom.
    Natural Resources Forum. September 24, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nOver the past three decades, Africa has been rapidly urbanizing. This urbanization has been fueled by a massive exodus of rural populations to urban centers in search of better living conditions. However, there is no consensus on the consequences of this rapid urbanization on the various development indicators. In this paper, we appreciate the effect of urbanization on happiness in Africa. To achieve this, we specify and estimate a panel data model from a sample of 34 countries over the period 2006–2019. The estimation is done by several techniques: the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), the Fixed Effects (FE), the Random Effects (RE), and the Two Step Least Squares (2SLS) methods. Overall, our results show that urbanization, approximated by the rate of the population living in urban areas, significantly reduces happiness in Africa captured by the life ladder. This result remains robust when quantile regression (QR) is used as an alternative estimation technique, thus indicating improving the urban living environment through physical infrastructural development and environmental sanitation.\n"]
    September 24, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70029   open full text
  • Toward Achieving the SDG‐13: Unveiling the (A)Symmetric Role of Environmental Efficiency, Energy Prices, Disaggregated GDP, and Energy in India.
    Aqib Mujtaba.
    Natural Resources Forum. September 23, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThe Sustainable Development Goal Thirteen (SDG‐13) aims to reduce climate change and its impact. India is the third‐largest emitter of carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming and climate change, and has committed to the Paris Agreement to reduce the intensity of its emissions by approximately 45% by 2030. This study aims to analyze whether India is on track to achieve SDG‐13. The environmental efficiency of India is estimated using data envelopment analysis (DEA), considering both desirable (GDP) and undesirable (emissions) outputs. The standardized linear and nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag models empirically investigate the data from 1971 to 2021. The findings of the linear ARDL model show that agricultural output, the service sector, nonrenewable energy, and oil prices are significant factors determining India's greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental efficiency and the use of renewable energy help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the NARDL results show positive shocks in agricultural output, the service sector, nonrenewable energy use, and oil price increase emissions. Meanwhile, the positive shock in industrial output and environmental efficiency reduces total emissions. Surprisingly, negative shocks in agricultural output, the service sector, and nonrenewable energy increase greenhouse gas emissions. The categorical variable (D2007), representing the environmental shock detected by the break test, also shows a positive relationship with total emissions.\n"]
    September 23, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70032   open full text
  • Pathways to Progress for Financial Development: Leveraging Natural Resources, Technological Innovation, and Trade Openness via Quantile Modeling.
    Saqib Mehmood, Rudsada Kaewsaeng‐on.
    Natural Resources Forum. September 20, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThis study investigates the impact of natural resources, technological innovation, and trade openness on financial development in G7 countries using panel quantile regression analysis from 1990 to 2022. By employing both the Kao and Pedroni panel cointegration tests, this study establishes the long‐term relationship among the variables across multiple entities and periods. The findings demonstrate significant heterogeneity in the effects of predictors at different points of the conditional distribution of financial development. Specifically, natural resources positively impact middle quantiles, trade openness negatively impacts lower quantiles, and technological innovation positively impacts all quantiles. The Wald test for the symmetric quantiles test indicates that the residuals around the quantile regression lines are not symmetrically distributed, which stamps the varying impacts of predictors across quantiles. The results of the quantile slope equality test confirm that the effects of technological innovation and trade openness differ significantly across quantiles, whereas the impact of natural resources varies at specific quantile comparisons. Nevertheless, these findings underscore the importance of considering heterogeneity while analyzing the determinants of financial development. However, policymakers in G7 countries should be aware that the effects of natural resources, technological innovation, and trade openness are not consistent across all levels of financial development. Nevertheless, this study presents policy recommendations based on empirical findings that can successfully contribute to attaining sustainable financial development.\n"]
    September 20, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70031   open full text
  • A Human Rights Approach to Sustainable Energy.
    Emrah Akyuz.
    Natural Resources Forum. September 16, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nEnergy is one of humanity's most significant and vital needs for sustainable development. Due to the importance of energy in human life, the view that access to energy should be recognized as a human right is becoming widespread; however, advocates generally do not distinguish between clean energy and dirty energy in the course of such discussions. Accordingly, the main purpose of this study is to discuss the scope of the right to energy by analyzing the effects of fossil fuels on human rights. To achieve this aim, face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews were conducted in the Kayışdağ Neighborhood, Istanbul, where the use of coal is widespread. We conclude that access to dirty energy sources is not a human right due to the associated risks to the enjoyment of the rights to environment, life, and property. The right to energy thus only encompasses clean and sustainable energy sources.\n"]
    September 16, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70030   open full text
  • Heterogeneous Spillover Effects: How FDI in Resources Extraction, Manufacturing, and Services Affect Sectoral Carbon Emissions in the MENA Region.
    Brahim Bergougui, Syed Mansoob Murshed.
    Natural Resources Forum. August 27, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThe MENA region faces a critical challenge: balancing economic growth spurred by foreign direct investment (FDI) with environmental sustainability. While FDI can bring technological advancements and capital, concerns exist about its potential to exacerbate environmental degradation, particularly carbon emissions. This study addresses this knowledge gap by investigating the environmental consequences of disaggregated FDI inflows (resource extraction, manufacturing, and services) on emissions from various economic sectors in the MENA region from 1990 to 2022 by employing the system generalized method of moments to test the “pollution haven” and “pollution halo” hypotheses at both aggregate and sectoral levels. Our findings reveal that, at the aggregate level, total FDI reduces economy‐wide and tertiary sector emissions, primarily due to services FDI promoting clean technologies and structural transformation, supporting the “pollution halo” hypothesis. However, a disaggregated analysis shows that resource extraction and manufacturing FDI increase emissions across all sectors by expanding pollutive production and outsourced activities, aligning with the “pollution haven” effect. Conversely, services FDI consistently decreases emissions across all sectors, enhancing environmental quality and conforming to the “pollution halo” hypothesis. These insights hold policy significance for targeted incentives: promote clean services FDI while regulating resource extraction and manufacturing flows to balance economic growth and environmental sustainability. By investigating FDI's disaggregated effects, this study refines our understanding of environmental impacts and informs tailored policy strategies in the MENA region.\n"]
    August 27, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70028   open full text
  • The Role of Institutional Quality, Foreign Direct Investments, Financial Development and Official Development Assistance in Promoting Agricultural Development in Africa.
    Robert Ugochukwu Onyeneke, Richmond Atta‐Ankomah, Comfort Chikezie, Uche Abiodun Ihebuzor, Nkechi Precious Obieche.
    Natural Resources Forum. August 21, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThe study comprehensively examines the effect of institutional quality, foreign direct investments (FDI) and official development assistance on agricultural development in Africa, which has not been effectively explored in the existing literature, particularly in an analytical framework that accounts for varied sources of capital accumulation and their externalities. Using a panel data set of 44 African countries, covering the 2009–2020 period, we performed fixed and random effects and generalized method of moments regressions to determine the impact of institutional quality, FDI, domestic credit to the private sector, and official development assistance (in agriculture, fishing and forestry value added) on agricultural development while controlling for other variables such as agriculture's share in total employment, gross fixed capital formation (in agriculture, fishing and forestry value added) and arable land per capita. The key results are that official development assistance and agriculture's share in total employment positively influence agricultural value added, while domestic credit to the private sector has a negative effect on agricultural value added. The study concludes by discussing the policy implications of the findings.\n"]
    August 21, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70027   open full text
  • Estimating the Governance Effect on Carbon Dioxide Emissions in Croatia.
    Djula Borozan, Luka Borozan.
    Natural Resources Forum. July 27, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nGood governance is crucial in addressing environmental concerns, promoting economic growth through transparent policies, attracting investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy, building trust, and supporting sustainable business practices. This paper estimates the impact of governance, using six World Bank indicators, on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Croatia from 1996 to 2022, while accounting for per capita real GDP and final energy consumption. Nonparametric kernel regression techniques were employed in both two‐ and three‐predictor models. The results highlight government effectiveness and the rule of law as key governance variables in reducing CO2 emissions. A more effective government reduces emissions by enforcing environmental policies, promoting clean technologies, and investing in energy efficiency and sustainable practices. Similarly, the rule of law aids in carbon control by upholding regulations, discouraging non‐compliance, and supporting environmentally friendly resources and economic activities. Although these governance variables have a significant mitigating effect, their impact is very small, particularly when compared to real gross domestic product and especially energy consumption, which are the significant drivers of increasing CO2 emissions. This influence is consistently observed across various model specifications and estimation methods.\n"]
    July 27, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70025   open full text
  • “It Is the Time to Be Responsible Toward Environment”: The Role of Pandemic Risk Perception and Social Influence.
    Jiale Zhang, Farzana Quoquab, Jihad Mohammad.
    Natural Resources Forum. July 12, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nGuided by the Stimulus‐Organism‐Response model, this study aims to investigate the effect of news media exposure, availability of information, risk perception, environmental responsibility (ER), and social influence on tourists' pro‐environmental travel behavior intention (PETBI). The cross‐ectional method was used to collect data from 300 respondents. PLS‐SEM was used to analyze the hypothetical model. The results found a significant effect of news media exposure and availability of information on risk perception. This study confirmed the moderating role of social influence between risk perception and PETBI. In addition, ER is established as a significant mediator between risk perception and PETBI. These results shed light on how the mechanism of information on pandemic influences PETBI and provide practical implications for managers, practitioners, and policymakers.\n"]
    July 12, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70026   open full text
  • Impact of Agricultural, Environmental and Socioeconomic Factors on Food Security in Southern Africa.
    Hongyun Han, Bornwell Mutale.
    Natural Resources Forum. July 10, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nFood security remains a critical global challenge, with Southern Africa facing particularly acute vulnerabilities due to complex interactions among agricultural, environmental, and socioeconomic factors. This study developed a comprehensive Composite Food Security Index incorporating 28 indicators across four key dimensions—availability, access, utilization, and stability—to systematically examine the multidimensional determinants of regional food security. Utilizing panel data from 10 Southern African countries (2000–2020), the study employed Two‐Stage Least Squares (2SLS) regression to address potential endogeneity and reverse causality biases, and an autoregressive integrated moving average with exogenous variables (ARIMAX) model to account for temporal dependencies and multicollinearity through Principal Component Analysis. This dual approach ensured robust causal identification while capturing dynamic relationships. The empirical findings revealed that agricultural factors—particularly increased government investment, enhanced fertilizer use, and land productivity—significantly enhance food security by improving productivity and system resilience. Conversely, environmental stressors, especially rising temperatures, pose substantial threats to food security through reduced crop yields and intensified water scarcity. Socioeconomic analysis demonstrated that high poverty and unemployment rates constitute major barriers to food access, while GDP per capita growth positively influences food security through enhanced purchasing power. The ARIMAX model revealed persistent autocorrelation, indicating that current challenges stem from deeply rooted historical patterns requiring sustained interventions. Policy recommendations emphasize integrated, multi‐sectoral approaches including climate‐resilient agriculture, increased agricultural investment, and targeted socioeconomic programs. The persistence of food security challenges, as demonstrated by the temporal analysis, highlights the necessity for long‐term, coordinated frameworks over short‐term interventions.\n"]
    July 10, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70020   open full text
  • Digitalization and Carbon Emission Efficiency Nexus: The Moderating Role of Environmental Taxes.
    Ying Hu, Muhammad Saeed Meo, Muhammad Saif ul Islam.
    Natural Resources Forum. July 04, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThis study scrutinizes the time‐varying impact of digitalization on carbon emission efficiency, considering the moderating role of environmental taxes in highly digitalized economies such as the United States, the Netherlands, Singapore, Denmark, and Switzerland. We used quarterly data spanning from 1998 to 2021 by employing the bootstrap subsample rolling‐window (BRW) approach. The findings, based on the parameter stability test, confirm the instability of parameters, implying that conclusions drawn from full‐sample causality are inconsistent. The results derived from the BRW approach affirm that digitalization positively and significantly enhances carbon emission efficiency in the United States, the Netherlands, Singapore, Denmark, and Switzerland. Furthermore, the moderating effect of environmental taxes significantly amplifies the impact of digitalization on carbon emission efficiency across all sample economies. The robustness of the findings has been validated through quantile‐on‐quantile regression (QQR), which also yields results consistent with the BRW approach. Policymakers can leverage the insights from our findings to promote carbon emission efficiency through the strategic integration of digitalization and environmental tax measures, providing a reference for similar economies aiming for sustainable solutions.\n"]
    July 04, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70024   open full text
  • Can Digital Financial Inclusion Promote Green Energy Innovation? An International Evidence.
    Xiaoye Ma, Dan Wang, JaeHyoung Kim, Fadoua Kouki, Jun Wu.
    Natural Resources Forum. June 30, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThe digitalization of financial services has led to a more developed and inclusive financial sector. Digital financial services make transactions simpler and quicker, making it easier to invest in energy projects. However, not much empirical evidence is available to support the above claims. To plug this gap in the current body of literature, the primary objective of the analysis is to investigate the influence of digital financial inclusion on green energy innovations across different regions of the world, including Asia, America, and Europe, by employing the two‐stage least squares (2SLS) and generalized method of moments (GMM) methods. The study's key findings highlight that digital financial inclusion positively affects green energy innovations in the full sample, Europe, and Asia. At a disaggregate level, bank branches, debit, and ATMs favorably influence green energy innovations in the full sample, Europe, and America. Among the control variables, national income, R&D spending, and carbon emissions positively impact green energy innovations in most models and thus emerge as important determinants of green energy innovations. Consequently, increases in digital financial inclusion are required to successfully attain projected growth rates of green energy and build a green finance development model that can support green energy innovations.\n"]
    June 30, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70022   open full text
  • Environmental Impacts of Natural Resource and FinTech in Oil‐Rich Economies: The Role of FinTech in Mitigating the Carbon Curse.
    Kingsley I. Okere, Ismail O. Fasanya, Stephen Kelechi Dimnwobi.
    Natural Resources Forum. June 06, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThis research investigates the joint environmental impacts of natural resource rents and FinTech in oil‐rich economies. It addresses the carbon curse hypothesis and argues that the integration of FinTech can be a transformative force, improving energy and carbon intensities in these countries. The study employs the Panel Spatial Correlation Consistent Least‐Squares Dummy Variables (PSCC‐LSDV) and Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR) with a panel dataset of 20 oil‐rich countries from 1991 to 2022. The findings reveal that natural resource dependence has a significant impact on CO2 emissions and energy/carbon intensity, reinforcing the carbon curse resulting from excessive resource extraction. Furthermore, the study shows that different types of natural resource dependencies, excluding forest rents, lead to improved carbon/energy intensity in the energy mix, but only beyond a certain threshold of extreme resource extraction. The estimated turning point for this threshold is between 1.3824% and 9.2108% of GDP. This study provides the importance of proactive measures, including utilizing FinTech, to mitigate the environmental impact of excessive resource extraction, and highlights the significance of diversifying the energy mix and investing in renewable energy technologies to reduce carbon intensity and address the environmental consequences of natural resource reliance.\n"]
    June 06, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70021   open full text
  • Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and ESG Controversies: Opportunities or Challenges in Achieving Firm Efficiency?
    Qian Long Kweh, Irene Wei Kiong Ting, Wen‐Min Lu, Jawad Asif, Hanh Thi My Le.
    Natural Resources Forum. April 29, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nMany environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives have emerged because of the world's fast economic growth. On the one hand, ESG appears to be good for firm efficiency. However, the substantial costs of ESG investments expose companies to significant operational risks. This study analyzes the overall effects of ESG, the combined effects of ESG and ESG controversies, and the individual effects of the three pillars of ESG and ESG controversies on firm efficiency, which is derived using a two‐stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) model. This study achieves its objectives by analyzing 1630 firm‐year observations from 2011 to 2020 that pertain to companies in the supply chain of Microsoft Corporation. The regression results indicate a significantly positive association between overall ESG and firm efficiency. However, the combined effects of ESG and ESG controversies on firm efficiency are insignificant. While ESG controversy efforts have a negative impact on firm efficiency, the regression results show that the environmental and governance pillars of ESG have a beneficial effect each. The findings suggest that firms should take active measures to address environmental issues and strengthen governance systems to improve firm efficiency.\n"]
    April 29, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70019   open full text
  • The Synergy of Green Growth, Clean Energy, and Foreign Direct Investment in Achieving Sustainable Development.
    Kashif Raza, Yufeng Chen.
    Natural Resources Forum. April 22, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nSustainable development and economic growth have long been recognized as important goals for many nations worldwide. Efforts are being made to achieve these goals through various initiatives, including promoting green growth, green technology, clean energy, and foreign direct investment. This study examines the impact and synergy of these factors on the sustainable development and economic development of the 38 member states of the Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) from 2000 to 2020. Empirical analysis is conducted using advanced econometric methodologies. The results explain that green growth, technology, tax revenue, and clean energy promote sustainable and economic development in these countries, with few exceptions. The measure of sustainable development is based on the progress made toward accomplishing 17 SDGs' objectives, expressed as a percentage. The highest percentage reflects the highest level of achievement and vice versa. Similarly, human development, measured as mean years of schooling and foreign direct investment, has negatively affected sustainable and economic development. The negative effect of human development is probably because a very narrow definition has been used for human development because of data constraints. OECD countries can pursue several policy measures to promote sustainable and economic development, including green growth, technology advancements, effective taxation strategies, and transition to clean energy. By implementing these policies, countries can enhance their progress toward the SDGs while improving human development indicators. Study limitations and future research directions are discussed.\n"]
    April 22, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70017   open full text
  • How Financial Depth Interact With Green Innovation and Technological Innovations: Implications for Sustainable Development in G‐20 Economies.
    Yanqi Zhou, Suqing Fan.
    Natural Resources Forum. March 22, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nChoosing to go green within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a smart move that has been at the forefront of all strategies and is a global concern. As a result, the current study investigates the impact of technical innovation (TI), green innovation (GI), information and communication technology (ICT), financial depth (FD), GDP in relation to CO2 emissions (COE), and ecological footprint (EF) for the G‐20 economies between 1990 and 2021. The Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR) is utilized for analysis, while the Westerlund test is utilized for cointegration. The conclusion validated mixed findings for the EF and COE models. In the G‐20, GI and its interaction with FD are lowering EF, but for the COE model, FD outweighs the effects of GI and becomes a barrier to lowering COE. Meanwhile, the development of information and communication technology dramatically raises emissions and the ecological footprint across a range of quantiles. On the other hand, GDP considerably increases EF and COE across all quantiles. More specifically, both ICT and GDP significantly increase the EF, with coefficient values of 0.098 and 0.513, respectively. The interactional term of financial depth and technological innovations (FDTI), on the other hand, is causing a decline in EF, with a coefficient value of −0.352. Furthermore, TI significantly reduces COE, with a coefficient value of −0.567. To meet the SDGs, this study suggests enacting eco‐friendly policies, encouraging green investments, and strengthening tax regulations that support nature protection.\n"]
    March 22, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70015   open full text
  • Exploring the Relationship Between Industrialization, Electricity Consumption, and Carbon Emissions Across 35 Asian Countries: A Panel Quantile ARDL Approach.
    Javid Ali, Xihao Wu, Shayan Khan Kakar, Sun Yani, Atif Jahanger, Manzar Rehman.
    Natural Resources Forum. March 18, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThis study investigates the long‐ and short‐run relationships between industrialization, electricity consumption, and CO2 emissions with the aim of environmental sustainability and economic development. The study uses data from the World Development Indicator (WDI) across 35 Asian countries spanning from 1990 to 2022. We employ a panel quantile ARDL model to estimate effects at different quantiles of the conditional distribution, thereby avoiding the limitations of mean regression. The quantile regression technique examines how the economy, the environment, financial, and trade concerns interact at each quantile. Our findings suggest that the variables exhibit co‐integration in the long‐run relationship. We find that financial development adds to energy pollutants. Electricity consumption leads to CO2 emissions. Trade openness also has a positive impact on energy pollutants. The results further suggest that electricity consumption plays a substantial role in CO2 emissions, particularly in regions experiencing rapid industrial growth. This study offers valuable insights for policymakers striving to balance economic growth and environmental sustainability in the context of industrialization.\n"]
    March 18, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70014   open full text
  • How Does Renewable Energy Production Respond to Digital Financial Inclusion and Education?
    Liu Hongzuo, Cao Simin, Li YuWen, Muhammad Tayyab Sohail.
    Natural Resources Forum. March 08, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nIncreasing renewable energy production is the best solution to combat global climate change and energy poverty. Investment possibilities in renewable energy are growing because of the financial sector's transition to digitalization, which significantly eases access to capital. However, the literature on the linkage between digital financial inclusion, education, and renewable energy production is scant. This analysis investigates the nexus between digital financial inclusion, education, and renewable energy production in the panel data of 40 top carbon emitter economies from America, Asia, and Europe using the 2SLS and GMM approaches. The results show the positive impact of digital financial inclusion on renewable energy production globally and in Asia, America, and Europe. However, education has a favorable role in renewable energy production globally and in all regions. Additionally, per capita income, R&D expenditures, environmental pressures, and trade are crucial in increasing renewable energy production. Thus, the government should increase digital financial infrastructure and human capital development to develop renewable energy.\n"]
    March 08, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70012   open full text
  • Investigating the EKC and LCC Hypotheses for BRICS Countries: The Role of Economic Complexity in Environmental Degradation.
    Tunahan Haciimamoglu.
    Natural Resources Forum. March 08, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThe number of studies in literature examining the relationship between economic complexity and environment continues to increase. In those studies, either environmental degradation is represented by a limited indicator, or a traditional empirical method is preferred. Motivated by this gap in the literature and considering renewable energy consumption, the present study aims to examine the effect of economic complexity on environmental degradation in BRICS countries during the period between 1992 and 2017 within the scope of load capacity curve (LCC) and environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypotheses. Differing from the majority of previous studies, environmental degradation is represented by the load capacity factor, which involves both demand and supply dimensions, and LCC and EKC hypotheses are tested synchronously. Using the novel Method of Moments Quantile regression (MMQR), the results reveal that the LCC and EKC hypotheses are valid across all quantiles in BRICS countries. Moreover, the results show that economic complexity increases environmental quality only in higher quantiles, but renewable energy consumption increases environmental quality in all the quantiles; in other words, they decrease degradation. Given these results, in order to reduce environmental degradation, governments in BRICS countries should promote environment‐friendly growth, support the practices increasing the level of economic complexity, and increase renewable energy diversity.\n"]
    March 08, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70013   open full text
  • Mapping the Climate Risk Landscape of the Diamer–Basha Dam in Pakistan: A Storyline Approach.
    Lubna Naz, Zainab Khalid, Amjad Ali, Kashif Haleem, Sidra Shafaqat.
    Natural Resources Forum. March 04, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nPakistan has recently launched the “Decade of Dam” initiative, aiming to accomplish 10 dam projects by 2030 to meet the pressing food security and energy needs. Among these projects is the multipurpose “Diamer–Bhasha” dam (D–B), strategically located on the border of Gilgit‐Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, with a reservoir surface area of 200 km2 and a water storage capacity of 6.4 million‐acre‐feet. The study aims to assess the socio‐economic and ecological impacts of the D–B Dam and to propose strategies for mitigating associated risks. To achieve the research objective, the study employs a storyline approach. The results demonstrate that the area of very high risk (VHR) grew by 24% between 2000 and 2020. The zones categorized as moderate risk (MR) exhibited a reduction of 10% within the same period, implying improvement in disaster risk management to alleviate the susceptibility. Conversely, the zones categorized as low risk (LR) experienced a 13% increase. Zones classified as VHR are mostly clustered in the Diamer region. The D–B Dam has deepened the exposure of the population of the area to socio‐economic and ecological risks, including the carbon footprint associated with the hydropower plant, the loss of ecosystem services and sustainable livelihoods, and forced migration. The findings suggest integrated approaches for assessing the climate risk landscape in areas undergoing developmental projects, helping to guide disaster risk management policies more effectively.\n"]
    March 04, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70001   open full text
  • Towards Inclusive and Sustainable Development: The Roles of Hydro Energy Technology Innovation, ICT, Economic Complexity, Regional, and Local Power.
    Liu Aifeng, Muhammad Ibrahim Shah, James Tumba Henry, Buhari Nazifi.
    Natural Resources Forum. March 03, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThis study intends to investigate how hydro energy technology innovation, represented by patent publications, affects inclusive, and sustainable development in China. Inclusive and sustainable development are measured through a multidimensional inclusiveness and achievement index. Apart from hydro energy technology, the study uses economic complexity (as a measure of structural transformation), information and communication technology, and regional and local power as additional variables influencing inclusive and sustainable development. The study uses data for 30 years and employs the Markov Switching Regression and Breitung–Candelon frequency‐domain causality approach. The study findings reveal that hydro energy innovation has a positive significant effect in Regime 1 while Regime 2 shows a positive and insignificant effect. ICT has opposing effects under different regimes while the non‐switching regressor economic complexity has negative effects. Local autonomy significantly and positively influences inclusive and sustainable development in Regime 1 while regional autonomy negatively influences development in Regime 2. The causality result demonstrates Granger causality from economic complexity, local, and regional power to inclusive and sustainable development while hydro energy innovation and ICT do not Granger cause it. Based on the results, policy recommendations are provided.\n"]
    March 03, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70011   open full text
  • Bringing Climate Action Into Perspective: Do the Engagements of Green Energy, Technological Innovation, and Tourism Matter in the Post‐COP27 Era?
    Jiao Zhu, Wei Zhou, Ridwan Lanre Ibrahim, Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh Al‐Faryan.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 27, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThis study examines how green energy, technological innovation, and tourism affect the volatility of carbon dioxide emissions in the global economy, considering the role of globalization, economic growth, and population. This study uses the STIRPAT framework based on 1995–2019 dataset. In addition, augmented mean group estimator, fully modified ordinary least squares, dynamic ordinary least squares, and the method of moments quantile regression are employed to analyze the stated model. The results reveal that the variables interrelate in the long run. Moreover, tourism positively drives the surge in global greenhouse gas emissions across the quantiles, robustly based on long‐run estimates obtained from other estimators. Green energy significantly mitigates global emissions in the upper quantiles and across the long‐run estimators. Other covariates meet the expected signs. In this context, the heterogeneity of the conditional distribution of the CO2 emissions is unveiled throughout the quantiles examined. Likewise, this analysis makes it possible to verify the functional roles of green energy and tourism in the current and future environmental degradation. From the results, some policy implications are derived so that the respective governments can consider them. These measures focus on boosting tourism and renewable resources to attain global environmental sustainability.\n"]
    February 27, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70000   open full text
  • Natural Resources and Geopolitical Risk Impact on Energy Security Risk: The Role of Renewable Energy Consumption and Foreign Direct Investment.
    Zhongyao Chen, Min He, Muhammad Ali.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 24, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nNatural resources and geopolitical risks significantly impact energy security risks. The availability and accessibility of natural resources play a significant role in determining a nation's energy vulnerability. Renewable energy consumption, particularly foreign direct investment in renewable energy projects, can help mitigate these risks by diversifying energy supplies and reducing the reliance on fossil fuels. This study examines the impact of natural resources and geopolitical risk in 38 countries at risk of geopolitical conflict between 1990 and 2021 using CO2 emissions, renewable energy consumption, and foreign direct investment as controlling variables. The long‐run analysis is based on slope heterogeneity, Westerlund cointegration, Arellano–Bond dynamic panel‐data estimation, and Robust, correlated panels corrected standard errors (PCSEs). The results indicate that the energy security index is positively associated with natural resources, geopolitical risk, CO2 emissions, and renewable energy consumption. Foreign direct investment is negatively associated with the energy security index in selected geopolitical risk countries. Improving energy security requires addressing multiple policy implications. Natural resource availability, geopolitical risk mitigation, CO2 emissions reduction, and increased renewable energy consumption are key factors. However, the negative association between FDI and energy security in selected geopolitical risk countries emphasizes the importance of careful evaluation of foreign investments to ensure their compatibility with energy security objectives. By implementing appropriate policies, countries can enhance their energy security, promote sustainable development, and mitigate risks posed by geopolitical uncertainties.\n"]
    February 24, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70006   open full text
  • Long‐Run and Short‐Run Impacts of Climate Change on Food and Agricultural Production in Africa: Any Role for Political Stability?
    Robert Ugochukwu Onyeneke, Richmond Atta‐Ankomah, Hayford Mensah Ayerakwa, Eric Worlanyo Deffor, Chinenye Judith Onyeneke.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 24, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nClimate change and political instability have implications for food and agricultural production. Africa is often described as one of the most vulnerable continents to the impacts of climate change, political instability, and conflicts. However, empirical evidence on the impacts of climate change, political instability, and violent conflicts on food and agricultural production is scanty and mixed. A better understanding of the impacts of climate change and political instability on food and agricultural production on the continent is needed to achieve some of the sustainable development goals. This paper investigates the impacts of climate change and political instability on food and agricultural production in Africa. The study relied on panel data from 43 countries spanning a period of 20 years (2000–2019). The data were obtained from the World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, World Development Indicators, and FAOSTAT databases. Using the panel autoregressive distributed lag model, we find that the annual maximum number of consecutive dry days, temperature, and rainfall data significantly decreased the food production index, livestock production index, cereal production, and crop production index in the long run. Also, we find that total greenhouse gas emissions significantly increased the food production index, livestock production index, cereal production, total fisheries production, and crop production index in the long run. Political stability significantly increased the livestock production index, cereal production, and total fisheries production in the long run, while employment in agriculture significantly increased the food production index, crop production index, and total fisheries production in the long run. We conclude that climate change and political stability impact agricultural production in Africa.\n"]
    February 24, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70007   open full text
  • Exploring the Impact of Monetary Policy and Institutional Quality on Inflation, Investment, and Economic Growth in G‐10 Economies.
    Saqib Khan, Muhammad Tariq, Muhammad Azam Khan.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 24, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThe dimensions of monetary policy and institutional quality have a significant role in shaping macroeconomic stability, influencing inflation control, investment flows, and the long‐term trajectory of economic growth. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the impact of monetary policy (interest rate; exchange rate) and institutional quality (Political Stability; Absence of Violence) on inflation (CPI), investment (FDI), and economic growth (GDP) in G‐10 countries using contemporary econometric methodologies from 1996 to 2022. The methodology includes the use of second‐generation unit root tests, the Westerlund co‐integration test, CCEMG technique, and FMOLS and DOLS estimation. The results showed that monetary policy and institutional quality have a negative impact on inflation. The exchange rate negatively affects investment, while the interest rate and institutional quality positively influence investment. Additionally, the exchange rate and institutional quality positively impact economic growth, whereas the interest rate has a negative effect on economic growth. Therefore, policymakers must exercise caution when attempting to incentivize investment through interest rate policies. This is to make sure that interest rates don't unintentionally slow down the economy's growth or disrupt inflation stability. The prime focus of the present study is to assess the role of monetary policy implications along with strong institutions on inflation, investment, and economic growth.\n"]
    February 24, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70005   open full text
  • From Scarcity to Sustainability: Impact of Environmental Poverty on Green Growth in Developing Countries.
    Lanjun Shen, Chengguo Xin.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 24, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThis study contributes to the existing literature by comprehensively analysing the nexus between environmental poverty and green growth. This study uses the augmented mean group technique to explore the effects of environmental poverty on the advancement of sustainable development in developing nations between 1990 and 2023. The sample consists of various developing countries, examining data on environmental factors, socio‐economic metrics, and trade policies. The empirical methodology employs rigorous econometric methods, such as the Augmented Mean Group and Common Correlated Effects Mean Group estimators, to address cross‐sectional dependency and slope heterogeneity. The main findings indicate that environmental poverty significantly hinders green growth, with expansionary export policies exacerbating this negative impact. Conversely, green total factor productivity, the digital economy, sustainable innovation, contractionary export policies, and efficient use of labor and capital contribute positively to green growth. Policy implications include the need for broad policies to combat environmental poverty through better waste management, environmentally friendly farming, and natural habitat protection. To increase green growth, it is crucial to prioritize the digital economy, promote sustainable innovation, and maintain a balance in export policy. Global cooperation and financial support for environmentally friendly technology are essential for attaining sustainable development objectives.\n"]
    February 24, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70002   open full text
  • Analysis of Mobile Money Innovations and Energy Poverty in Africa.
    Folorunsho M. Ajide, Sodiq Abiodun Oladipupo, Babatunde Wasiu Dauda, Esther Omolade Soyode.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 19, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nMobile money is a novel system for providing seamless financial services in developing countries. The use of this technology has allowed poor households to make payments, receive money, and get credits via mobile phone algorithms, and it has gained popularity among nations in Africa. This technology has leapfrogged the traditional services of formal financial institutions. Many studies have been conducted on energy poverty alleviation in Africa, but little is known empirically about whether mobile money can serve as a policy instrument for energy poverty alleviation in developing economies. Furthermore, the role of mobile money in energy justice has not been explored. The objective of this paper is to fill this gap by examining the effect of mobile money innovations on energy poverty. Applying the system generalized method of moments and panel quantile regression via moments on the dataset of 36 countries in Africa between 2012 and 2021, this study shows that mobile money innovations reduce energy poverty in Africa. Further analysis reveals that the effect is heterogeneous across the sample used in the study. Our findings also reveal that mobile money innovations reduce the disparities in accessing electricity between urban and rural households. Overall, this study suggests that mobile money is a veritable tool that can be used for energy poverty alleviation in developing countries.\n"]
    February 19, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70004   open full text
  • The Synergistic Impact of Digital Technology and Financial Systems on Sustainable Environment.
    Safdar Husain Tahir, Xiaohui Wang, Muhammad Zulfiqar, Muhammad Rizwan Ullah, Mushtaq A. Sajid.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 13, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThis paper exclusively adds value to the state‐of‐the‐art literature, offering the combined impact of various conditions (variables) on environmental sustainability in the context of complexity theory. Unlike the conventional regression‐based research methods, the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis applies a novel configuration approach for analysing the data of 63 countries around the globe covering the period from 1990 to 2020. In addition, analytical induction is also used to diagnose existing patterns of solutions in the dataset. The input conditions are digital transformation, financial innovation, financial inclusion, foreign direct investment, and financial openness, while the outcome condition (variable) is an environmental sustainability. The necessary condition analysis shows no individual conditions indispensable for the outcome. However, sufficiency condition analysis discovers eight alternative solutions/ pathways, sufficient for the outcome. This study makes notable contributions to the existing body of knowledge that offers unique long‐term insights and practical solutions for academicians and policymakers working on sustainable environments worldwide, in particular.\n"]
    February 13, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12603   open full text
  • Does Climate Change Hinder Women's Participation in the Labour Market in Africa?
    Simon Alain Song Ntamack, Jacques Simon Song.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 05, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nClimate change remains a global threat whose disparate and controversial impacts over the past three decades have fuelled an extremely fertile literature. In this article, we analyse its effects on women's participation in the labour market (WPLM) based on a sample of 48 African countries. For this purpose, we consider two dimensions of climate change (temperature and rainfall), then specify and estimate a dynamic panel data model using the System Generalised Method of Moments (S‐GMM) over the period 2000–2019. Our results show that approximate climate change significantly reduces women's labour market participation in Africa due to exposure to greater vulnerability, particularly with respect to agriculture, which is their main source of income. The robustness of the results is demonstrated by the women's sectoral employment in agriculture, industry and services through Africa. We suggest the effectiveness of sustainable climate policies to consolidate and ensure better integration of women in the labour market and improve the gender equity in the African workforce.\n"]
    February 05, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12601   open full text
  • From Smokestacks to Smart Factories: Improving the Quality of Environment and the Rise of Knowledge‐Intensive Activities.
    Edmond Noubissi Domguia, Borice Augustin Ngounou, Thierry Messie Pondie, Isaac Appiah‐Otoo.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 01, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nIn the context of sustainable development goals, which aim to improve the quality of the environment, this study examines the impact of environmental quality on export sophistication. Better environmental performance can have positive effects on the competitiveness of companies and the perception of products by foreign consumers. The study uses a global sample of 115 countries and panel data models. A variety of methods are used to estimate the effect of environmental performance on export sophistication. These methods are robust and have been validated by other studies using comparative techniques. The results indicate that environmental performance has a significant positive effect on export sophistication. This effect is observed in both developed and developing countries, as well as in Christian, Muslim and Hindu majority countries. However, in countries with a majority of other religions, environmental performance has a negative effect on export sophistication. The positive effect of environmental performance on export sophistication can be explained by several factors. Companies that adopt sustainable environmental practices can improve their image and reputation with respect to foreign consumers. In addition, strict environmental regulations can encourage companies to innovate and develop better quality products. The negative effects observed in some countries can be explained by factors such as the structure of the industry, the level of technological development and the environmental policies in place. This study shows that improving the quality of the environment can be an effective way of improving the sophistication of exports. Industrial policies should therefore include environmental considerations to encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices.\n"]
    February 01, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12602   open full text
  • Nexus Between Financial Development, Economic Growth, and Carbon Emissions (CO2) in Sub‐Saharan Countries.
    Mushtaq Ahmad, Zhang Jide, Izhar ul Haq.
    Natural Resources Forum. January 30, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nIn the global pursuit of sustainable development, understanding the intricate interplay among financial development, economic growth, and environmental considerations is paramount. This study delves into the dynamics within 46 selected Sub‐Saharan countries from 2000 to 2020, investigating the nexus between financial development, economic growth, and CO2 emissions. Employing a rigorous methodological approach, we use carbon emissions (CO2) as the dependent variable, with financial development and economic growth as independent variables. Statistical tools include the Pesaran test for cross‐sectional dependency and Im‐Pesaran‐Shin, and Fisher‐type tests for unit root, ensuring methodological robustness. Various cointegration tests, such as the Kao, Pedroni, and Westerlund, were applied to validate long‐term relationships. To unveil the true dynamics of the long‐run impact of financial development on CO2 emissions, four methodologies were employed: Quantile Methods via Method of Moments (MMQR), Fully Modified OLS (FMOLS), Dynamic OLS (DOLS), and Canonical Correlation Regression (CCR). Our findings suggest that variables like AE, TO, NR, and GDP exert a positive and significant impact on CO2 emissions across all Quantiles. At the same time, foreign direct investment (FDI) exhibits a negative and significant influence on CO2 emissions. In light of these results, policymakers are urged to consider a nuanced approach to environmental policy formulation.\n"]
    January 30, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12600   open full text
  • Can Digitalization Improve China's Food Security?
    Jing‐Hua Yin, Hai‐Ying Song.
    Natural Resources Forum. January 28, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nAs global food security continues to be extremely challenging, countries are seeking optimal solutions for the sustainable development of their agriculture and food systems under environmental and resource pressures. This study explores whether and how digitalization facilitates or hinders China's food security. Based on data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Bank, and United Nations E‐Government survey, we assess digital transformation in terms of digital infrastructure, competition, innovation, and digital governance using the entropy method. Specifically, we use ordinary least‐squares and robust and ridge regressions to estimate the impact of digitalization on food security in China during 2000–2021. The results indicate that digitalization improves food security through production and transaction enablement. Namely, digital infrastructure and competition significantly contribute to food availability, accessibility, and utilization. In addition, digital innovation experiences synergies with other digital indicators to improve food security. However, digital governance decreases food sustainability because of premature digital governance, as well as a lack of digital talent, investment, and technical support. Thus, to increase food security, it is essential to upgrade the digital infrastructure, accelerate digital innovation, cultivate digital talents, improve digital governance, and make full use of digital enabling in production as well as the market.\n"]
    January 28, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12599   open full text
  • Vulnerability to Climate Change: Ethnic Minorities in Southwest China.
    Hua Yang, Jun He, Zhinong Li, Yufang Su, Jianchu Xu.
    Natural Resources Forum. January 22, 2025
    ["Natural Resources Forum, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nBased on a large‐scale survey of 1216 households, this research examined the differential vulnerability of diverse ethnic groups who have traditionally inhabited the climate‐sensitive area of Southwest China in the Eastern Himalayas. The livelihood vulnerabilities of five ethnic groups that reside across different ecological zones were evaluated and compared using the Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) and Livelihood Vulnerability Index–Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (LVI–IPCC). Binary and multiple logistic regression models were used to analyze the effects of geography, income, and household characteristics on respondents' perceptions of the four most perceived climate events. The combined results of overall LVI and LVI–IPCC scores indicate that the Tibetan ethnic group is the most vulnerable to climate change, followed by the Bai, Han, Naxi, and Lisu. Intertwined biophysical, socioeconomic, and cultural factors affect climate change vulnerability. The ethnic groups residing in high‐altitude, steep, and remote areas, as well as farmers with lower livelihood diversity and a smaller proportion of nonagricultural income, were indicated to be most severely affected by climate events. As a timely piece of evidence‐based and policy‐informed research for decision‐makers, the findings represent a clarion call for deepening understanding of cultural differences between ethnic minorities in order to properly mitigate the effects of climate change.\n"]
    January 22, 2025   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12594   open full text
  • Measuring conservation success beyond the traditional biological criteria: the case of conservation projects in Costa Rica, Mekong Valley, and Cameroon.
    Jessica Gruber, Richard Mbatu, Rebecca Johns, Barnali Dixon.
    Natural Resources Forum. October 06, 2017
    Traditionally, the criteria used to measure conservation success or failure are based on biological factors. Biological factors include changes in the amount of targeted conserved species, biodiversity, and total area conserved. However, conservation efforts are not simply a matter of biological concern; environmental, political, social, and conflict pressures on different scales (ranging from local to global) also have strong influences on the outcome of conservation. These other factors can either pose threats to or enhance conservation, but are not addressed by current criteria. Using a proposed holistic rubric that includes interdisciplinary fields, this paper examines a set of conservation factors on different scales – ranging from local to global – to determine their importance in conservation. The paper analyses positive factor influences with more successful conservation and negative factor influences with less successful, or failed, conservation attempts. Neutral and non‐applicable factor influences are also identified, defined, and ranked as a standardization mechanism. The determination of success changed when the holistic rubric was applied to conservation projects in Costa Rica, Mekong Valley, and Cameroon. In the Costa Rica case study, conservation success for Guanacaste and Talamanca national parks is rated ‘moderately low’. In the case of Mekong Valley, conservation success is rated ‘low’ for Lower Mekong, ‘moderately low’ for Greater Annamites, and ‘low’ for Phong Nha‐Ke Bang national parks. Cameroon's Congo Basin and Sangha Tri‐National conservation efforts are both rated ‘low’, while Dja Faunal is rated ‘very low’. We conclude that if conservation efforts are to attain a high level of success, the strategy for global conservation must move away from the traditional biological approach, which focuses mainly on biological concerns, and embrace a holistic approach, which in addition to biological concerns, addresses environmental, political, social, and conflict pressures, which have strong influences on the outcomes of conservation.
    October 06, 2017   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12132   open full text
  • Plant indicator status and implications for natural disaster management in both developed communities and indigenous communities.
    Kyoo‐Man Ha.
    Natural Resources Forum. September 14, 2017
    Only a few rigorous studies have attempted to focus on the topic of plant indicators in relation to natural disasters, although recently an increasing number of people have realized its significance. In an effort to aid disaster management, this article studied and aimed to improve the status of plant indicators in predicting or signaling natural disasters. Using a qualitative content analysis, the plant indicators’ uncertain status and certain status are systematically compared using specific plants, developed community efforts, indigenous community traditions, and characteristics of natural disaster management. A key tenet is that all stakeholders must change plant indicators’ uncertain status to certain status by comprehensively elaborating on the integration between developed communities and indigenous communities, plant indicators as a research agenda, the inclusion of plant indicators in disaster management policy and local plans, and education and training.
    September 14, 2017   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12134   open full text
  • Productivity effects and natural resource management: econometric evidence from POSAF‐II in Nicaragua.
    Luis A. De los Santos‐Montero, Boris E. Bravo‐Ureta.
    Natural Resources Forum. September 05, 2017
    Understanding how natural resource management (NRM) technologies impact agricultural productivity is essential in order to ensure that policies designed to reduce environmental degradation and alleviate poverty are successful. In this paper, we analyze the impact of natural resource technologies delivered by the Socio‐environmental and Forestry Development Programme‐II (POSAF‐II) in Nicaragua. Using cross‐sectional data for 1,201 farmers (475 beneficiaries, 726 control farmers), we provide empirical evidence concerning the effects of a NRM programme on two critical components of productivity: technological change (TC) and technical efficiency (TE). We use propensity score matching (PSM) to mitigate potential biases from observable variables and a recent stochastic production frontier (SPF) model that addresses sample selection bias arising from unobservable variables. Our results show that POSAF‐II has had a positive impact on the two dimensions of productivity analyzed, i.e., TC and TE. This study contributes to the literature on impact evaluation by showing how an intervention designed to improve NRM can also enhance the income of poor farm households through increases in productivity.
    September 05, 2017   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12133   open full text
  • Promoting equity in water access: the limits of fairness of a rural water programme in semi‐arid Mozambique.
    Raphaëlle Ducrot, Magalie Bourblanc.
    Natural Resources Forum. August 23, 2017
    Bridging the water infrastructure gap has become a major policy concern. In rural areas of Africa, access to water is as much constrained by territorial coverage as it is by the poor conditions of water points due to the difficulty in mobilizing communities for repairs. This paper examines the equity considerations of a rural water and sanitation programme in a district of Mozambique, and their impacts on the achievement of the programme's objectives. Our analysis underlines the contradictions in the conceptualization of equity in the design, planning and implementation of the programme. Even an explicitly pro‐poor strategy can fall short of delivering equity. Our findings stress the fact that overlooking local perception of equity can have a direct impact on the ability of a community to ensure the maintenance of their water points. They call for a careful definition of equity in the design of water programmes, as well as closer attention to this criterion as a precondition to achieving the long‐term objective of the programme.
    August 23, 2017   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12128   open full text
  • Canada's Model Forests 20 years on: towards forest and community sustainability?
    Ryan Bullock, Kathryn Jastremski, Maureen G. Reed.
    Natural Resources Forum. August 23, 2017
    We review how Canadian Model Forests pursued forest and community sustainability over the course of two decades (1992–2012). Given its roots in the forest industry and forest science, Model Forest programming initially faced some challenges in pursuing the socio‐economic dimensions of sustainable forest management (SFM) in order to fulfil mandated community sustainability objectives. This was due, in part, to how objectives, stakeholders, and expertise were brought together to develop SFM. The programme helped to define sustainability and the SFM paradigm, advance forest science and social research, and bring together a mix of usually adversarial partners in the name of innovation. Ultimately, the termination of federal programming was linked to high‐level policy shifts, yet difficulty in delivering on the socio‐economic dimensions of SFM during a period of forest sector and community crisis was also a factor.
    August 23, 2017   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12129   open full text
  • Formalising informal solid waste recycling at the Pomona dumpsite in Harare, Zimbabwe.
    Svongwa Nemadire, Stenly Mapurazi, George Nyamadzawo.
    Natural Resources Forum. August 23, 2017
    The role of informal recycling in poverty alleviation and solid waste management in cities in developing countries has been receiving increased attention. This study explores the integration of the informal recycling sector with the Harare City Council's solid waste management system, focusing on the Pomona dumpsite. The extent of this integration was compared with interventions proposed in InteRa, a new way of evaluating the integration of informal recyclers with the waste management systems of cities in developing countries. Our results suggest that the Harare City Council, which had the vision of transforming itself into a world‐class city, failed to fully integrate the informal recycling sector. We suggest to policymakers that complete integration of the informal sector will not necessarily prevent cities from achieving such visions. Rather, addressing the neglected interventions may help in achieving their visions.
    August 23, 2017   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12130   open full text
  • Are denser cities greener? Evidence from China, 2000–2010.
    Rui Wang, Quan Yuan.
    Natural Resources Forum. August 23, 2017
    Whether a city develops into a more compact one with a higher density or a more sprawling one may affect multiple aspects of the urban environment, including ecosystem health, greenhouse gas emissions, and quality of life. Using panel data gathered from China's cities from 2000 to 2010, we take advantage of the significant variation in the temporal change of density across cities to estimate the relationship between gross urban population density and multiple indicators of urban greenness. Fixed‐effects estimates support the widely held belief that density improves air quality and reduces the per capita carbon footprint. Results also suggest that higher density reduces the growth of road infrastructure and vehicle ownership and promotes walking. While density often translates into proximity and accessibility, higher density does reduce a city's per capita urban park and green space. This study strengthens the urban policy and planning literature with much needed longitudinal evidence. Our overall findings support higher density as opposed to lower density urban development in China.
    August 23, 2017   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12131   open full text
  • Stakeholders’ perceptions of integrated rainwater management approaches in the Blue Nile Basin of the Ethiopian highlands.
    Annet A. Mulema, Zelalem Lema, Elias Damtew, Aberra Adie, Zadoc Ogutu, Alan J. Duncan.
    Natural Resources Forum. May 24, 2017
    Previous approaches to improve soil and water management in the Ethiopian highlands have achieved marginal success. An integrated approach to rainwater management (RWM) has been piloted to address interrelated problems of land degradation, livestock feed shortage, and soil erosion, in an effort to improve the resilience of rural livelihoods. However, stakeholders’ perceptions about the approach have not been documented. Using data from in‐depth interviews, this study assesses stakeholders’ knowledge, attitudes, skills and practices in the Diga, Jeldu and Fogera districts of Ethiopia. Our study finds gender differences in knowledge and application of integrated RWM strategies amongst farmers. Stakeholders interviewed appreciate fodder development because it directly addresses land degradation and livestock feed shortage, and provides extra benefits to the households. There are differences in successful RWM practices across the districts. Planners, researchers and policy makers engaged in innovation platforms have an increased understanding of the tools to engage multiple stakeholders in planning for RWM. However, inflexible extension approaches and other contextual issues limit wide‐scale use of bottom‐up approaches. We conclude that approaches to RWM that are holistic and engage diverse stakeholders foster the uptake of innovations. Awareness creation, collaboration, capacity development, incentives, monitoring, political will and favorable gender norms are vital to the process.
    May 24, 2017   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12126   open full text
  • Conflict and collective action in Tonle Sap fisheries: adapting governance to support community livelihoods.
    Blake D. Ratner, Sovannarith So, Kosal Mam, Il Oeur, Sour Kim.
    Natural Resources Forum. April 10, 2017
    This paper presents the results of action research conducted from 2009 to 2015 on the dynamics of resource conflict concerning fisheries and livelihoods in the Tonle Sap Lake, as well as the institutional context and strategies for institutional adaptation to address such conflicts equitably. Over the past 15 years, Cambodia has made significant advances in building the policy framework, regulations and institutions to support community‐based fisheries management and increase the sector's contribution to the rural economy. However, fundamental challenges of increased resource conflict and loss of livelihoods by the most vulnerable remain. Key sources of conflict include destructive and illegal fishing practices, clearing of flooded forests, competing uses of land and water, and overlapping resource claims. Addressing these challenges requires collective action by all key actors: local fishers, the private sector, civil society, development partners, and government from the local to the national level. We identify and elaborate upon four governance priorities: (1) clarify roles and responsibilities in fisheries management; (2) link civil society and government efforts in law enforcement; (3) strengthen partnerships for livelihoods development; and (4) integrate fisheries management into decentralised development planning.
    April 10, 2017   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12120   open full text
  • Evidence of the impacts of the national housing programme on the accessibility of the low‐income population in Rio de Janeiro.
    José Renato Barandier, Milena Bodmer, Izabella Lentino.
    Natural Resources Forum. April 10, 2017
    The Brazilian shift from a primarily rural to a more urban society has created major challenges that public policies must address. One of the most relevant challenges is deep social exclusion in urban areas, especially in terms of adequate housing and access to urban opportunities (e.g., jobs, housing, and services). In this context, land use and transport planning play a critical role in the sustainable development agenda. The work presented here analyses the accessibility of low‐income dwellings licenced under the Brazilian housing programme to the low‐income population. To evaluate the accessibility of the programme's target population, a case study was conducted in the city of Rio de Janeiro, where 58,000 homes licensed under the programme were analysed using GIS tools in terms of the present public transport network and the location of the homes. The amount of time it takes to access public transport on foot and the homes’ locations in relation to major urban opportunities were also analysed. Finally, the same analysis was performed for the future transport network, and the results of the two analyses were compared to identify the scope of the legacy generated by investments in preparation for the 2016 network.
    April 10, 2017   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12124   open full text
  • The effect of clean energy regulations and incentives on green jobs: panel analysis of the United States, 1998–2007.
    Taedong Lee.
    Natural Resources Forum. April 07, 2017
    ‘Green jobs’ are often presented as a simultaneous solution for the economic downturn and the environmental crisis, particularly as they relate to sustainable development in energy and climate change. Federal, state, and municipal authorities have employed a variety of policy tools to boost job creation within their jurisdictions. This study focuses on the role that state policies play in creating green jobs. It examines two generic policy tools – regulations and incentives – each of which can be aimed at advancing energy efficiency or renewable energy production, and assesses the relative impact they have had on generating green jobs. In order to measure this impact, we utilize panel data compiled by the Pew Charitable Trusts, which contain a state‐level count of green jobs from 1998 to 2007. The results of the analysis suggest that regulations, particularly those that mandate action on renewable energy, are likely to increase the number of private sector green jobs in states. Regulations with clear guidelines and targets tend to reduce uncertainty in business, and can lead to increased private sector investment and job availability. This study provides practical lessons regarding the type and design of policy instruments and regulations on renewable energy, which effectively encourage green job growth.
    April 07, 2017   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12125   open full text
  • Conservation agriculture and sustainable development in Africa: insights from Tanzania.
    Andreas Scheba.
    Natural Resources Forum. March 29, 2017
    In recent years, conservation agriculture (CA) has been increasingly promoted as the best solution to sustainable agricultural development in Africa. Proponents argue that it offers increased yields, reduced labour requirements, improved soil fertility and climate mitigation benefits. At the same time, a growing number of scholars have questioned its promises, impacts and applicability to small, resource‐poor African farmers. To add to the debate, this paper draws on fieldwork from two case study villages in the Lindi region of Tanzania. It scrutinizes CA farmer field schools’ performances, the impact on villagers’ perceptions of core principles and socio‐economic/institutional constraints related to its adoption. It demonstrates how farmer field schools failed to meet initial expectations because of challenges associated with economic benefits, labour demand, availability and accessibility of inputs, infrastructure, governance, and stakeholder relations. It argues that the applicability to and adoption of CA depends on the transformation of individual perceptions as well as structural constraints, including credit facilities, markets for inputs, infrastructure and availability of labour, which has long been a limitation of donor‐initiated programmes. Under constraining socio‐economic and institutional conditions, questions continue to loom large over the long‐term applicability of CA to African smallholder farmers.
    March 29, 2017   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12123   open full text
  • An Environmental Kuznets Curve for N2O emissions in Germany: an ARDL approach.
    Manuel A. Zambrano‐Monserrate, Mario Andres Fernandez.
    Natural Resources Forum. March 29, 2017
    This paper analyses the relationship between nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, economic growth, agricultural land used and exports in Germany. We use time‐series data between 1970 and 2012 and the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) methodology to test for cointegration in the long run. Results show that there is a quadratic long run relationship between N2O emissions and economic growth, confirming the existence of an Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) for Germany. Agricultural land area affects N2O emissions positively, whereas exports affect emissions negatively. The turning point is $27,880, which is within the sample and implies that Germany is in the decreasing part of the curve of environmental degradation. The paper shows that, contrary to testing the EKC in less developed countries, mitigation of N2O emissions does not negatively affect growth in Germany. As such, it is feasible to undertake any conservative policy in order to reduce emissions without major consequences on economic sectors.
    March 29, 2017   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12122   open full text
  • Assessment of seasonal variations of carbon dioxide concentration in Iran using GOSAT data.
    Seyed Mohsen Mousavi, Samereh Falahatkar, Manouchehr Farajzadeh.
    Natural Resources Forum. March 16, 2017
    Global warming and climate change have been identified as the most important challenges of the 21st century. Greenhouse Gases Observation Satellite (GOSAT) measures the concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO 2) and methane (CH 4) in the atmosphere column from the earth's surface to the upper atmosphere. In this research, GOSAT Thermal And Near Infrared Sensor for Carbon Observation – Fourier Transform Spectrometer (TANSO‐FTS) level 2 data and meteorological parameters were used in the assessment of changes in CO 2 concentration (XCO 2) from 2009 to 2015. We investigated the relationship between XCO 2 and meteorological parameters (temperature and precipitation) obtained from weather stations and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in the year 2013 in Iran. The results reveal a steady increase in the mean atmospheric CO 2 concentration, from 384.89 to 400.39 ppm. It was observed that the XCO 2 varied significantly depending on the month, with the highest concentration of CO 2 in April/May and the lowest concentration in August/September. The correlation between XCO 2 and average monthly air temperature is negative, which means that a reduction in XCO 2 with an increase in temperature is dependent on photosynthetic activities in the growing seasons. The highest and lowest correlation coefficient between the NDVI and XCO 2 was obtained in the spring and in the fall, respectively. These findings are useful for recognizing factors that affect CO 2 concentration in different seasons in arid and semi‐arid regions, and as an initial step toward sustainable management.
    March 16, 2017   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12121   open full text
  • REDD+ in Africa: contexts and challenges.
    Belachew Gizachew, Rasmus Astrup, Pål Vedeld, Eliakimu M. Zahabu, Lalisa A. Duguma.
    Natural Resources Forum. March 07, 2017
    REDD+, a climate change mitigation mechanism that values carbon in tropical forests, is expected to provide Africa with a range of environmental and socio‐economic benefits. Drawing on a vast array of literature and personal experiences, this review analyzed particular features and challenges that REDD+ implementation has faced on the continent. The distinct contexts and major challenges regarding governance, finance and technical capacities are discussed, and mechanisms to fill these gaps are suggested. Radical land tenure reform and a perfect safeguard mechanism that transfers forest land and carbon to the communities are unlikely. REDD+ should rather look for systems that respect local institutional arrangements, and allow forest‐based communities to participate in decision‐making and benefit sharing, particularly benefits from emerging REDD+. Finances for REDD+ infrastructure and the results‐based payment are in short supply. While negotiating for potential external sources in the short term, Africa should generate domestic financial resources and look for additional payments for ecosystem services. Africa should also negotiate for forest monitoring capacity building, while strengthening local community forest monitoring. This review contributes to an improved understanding of the contexts and challenges to consider in the capacity and policy development for REDD+ implementation.
    March 07, 2017   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12119   open full text
  • Understanding local community attitudes toward industrial development in the Great Barrier Reef region World Heritage Area: are environmental impacts perceived to overshadow economic benefits?
    Claudia F. Benham.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 21, 2017
    Conflicts between industrial development and environmental conservation can be particularly acute when such development occurs in the vicinity of World Heritage sites. A key example is the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA) in northeastern Australia, where a 2012 review by the World Heritage Council found that rapid port development inshore of the coral reef posed significant risks to local marine ecosystems. Such instances pose pressing challenges for decision‐makers seeking to manage World Heritage sites for multiple values and needs, including those of key stakeholder groups, such as local communities. There is increasingly a societal expectation that public decision‐making takes into account local views and priorities, and that companies seek a ‘social license to operate’. This research explored local community attitudes toward port development associated with the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and coal through the GBRWHA. Using data drawn from a survey and interviews, the research examined how a range of geographical factors, including proximity to gas infrastructure and the perceived impacts and risks of development to the local community, economy and environment shape community perceptions of the industry. Findings suggest that local attitudes toward gas and coal terminal development inshore of the GBRWHA are shaped predominantly by community perceptions of environmental impacts and risks associated with such infrastructure, in contrast to a broader public narrative that focuses largely on economic benefits. A complex combination of other factors, including social impacts, personal environmental values, community trust in industry, and equity in decision‐making and distribution of the risks and benefits of industrial development also contribute. Placed in a broader, global context, the findings have important implications for public decision‐making processes in Australia and elsewhere as they suggest that, for local communities, the perceived impacts of gas development on the environment may overshadow the benefits of industry.
    February 21, 2017   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12112   open full text
  • Protected areas and deforestation: new results from high‐resolution panel data.
    Brian Blankespoor, Susmita Dasgupta, David Wheeler.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 21, 2017
    This paper investigates the effectiveness of protected areas in slowing tropical forest clearing in 64 countries in Asia/Pacific, Africa and Latin America during the period of 2001–2012 by comparing deforestation rates inside and within 10 km outside of the boundaries of protected areas. Annual time series of these deforestation rates were constructed from recently published high‐resolution data on forest clearing from Hansen et al. (2013). For 4,028 parks, panel estimation based on a variety of park characteristics was conducted to test if deforestation was lower in protected areas because of their protected status, or if other factors explained the difference. From a sample of 726 parks established since 2002, a test was also conducted to investigate the effect of park establishment on protection. Findings suggest park size, national park status and management by indigenous people all are significantly associated with effective protection across regions. For the Asia/Pacific region, the test offers compelling evidence that park establishment has a near‐immediate and powerful effect.
    February 21, 2017   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12118   open full text
  • The role of institutions in sustainable urban governance.
    Allison Bridges.
    Natural Resources Forum. January 20, 2017
    In an effort to support a transition to sustainability, urban institutions now face new challenges. Municipal level institutions design and implement sustainability action plans, climate action plans and increasingly, climate adaption projects. This article reviews the debates surrounding the role of institutions in sustainable urban governance, as well as the tools available to assess the plurality of actors working within and across institutional boundaries. Sustainability as a guiding principle in urban planning requires a fundamental reorientation of the rationalities that have governed discrete aspects of social, economic and political life in cities. Institutions, in ordering the administrative and management activities of urban governments, are critical in efforts to hasten the adoption of sustainability ideals and in the implementation of associated projects. Urban political institutions engage with new forms of environmental leadership and polycentric forms of environmental governance in response to contextually specific urban characteristics and actor constellations. The extent to which sustainability ideals are institutionalized depends on sound analysis that helps form new understandings of the ways in which human‐environment systems are coupled — and how this coupling should inform governance action in support of sustainable urban development.
    January 20, 2017   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12116   open full text
  • Attaining SDG11: can sustainability assessment tools be used for improved transformation of neighbourhoods in historic city centers?
    Tulin Vural Arslan, Selen Durak, Deniz Ozge Aytac.
    Natural Resources Forum. January 20, 2017
    In coping with rapid urbanization resulting from increased urban growth, limited resources, and the threat of natural and man‐made disasters, cities are being pressured to change. The United Nations created goals to address these issues, drafting the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2000 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. Goal 11 of the SDGs addresses issues pertaining to urban development, and focuses on attaining safe, inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities. In order to monitor progress regarding SDG 11, there is a need for globally‐identified and comparable indicators. The City Prosperity Index (CPI) has been recognized as a valuable tool in evaluating the social, economic and physical aspects of cities. However, the CPI is not sufficient in itself in translating information obtained through evaluation into information relevant to policy‐making and planning at the neighbourhood level. Positive urban change can be achieved through improvements made to neighbourhoods, as the core units of cities. Many countries have developed several tools to assess neighbourhoods, applying various indicators to guide the planning process, in an effort to attain sustainability. Many Turkish cities are experiencing the negative effects of rapid urbanization. Within the scope of this study, three neighbourhoods in the historic urban core of Bursa in Turkey have been assessed through Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Neighbourhood Pattern and Design (LEED‐NPD) under LEED Neighbourhood Development (LEED‐ND). By analyzing the existing conditions, this study aims to present the strengths and weaknesses of the case study area and establish a documental and informational base, in order to respond with a plan at the neighbourhood level.
    January 20, 2017   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12115   open full text
  • Social disruption, mine closure and housing policy: evidence from the Free State Goldfields, South Africa.
    John Ntema, Lochner Marais, Jan Cloete, Molefi Lenka.
    Natural Resources Forum. January 05, 2017
    The creation of mine settlements became a common practice between 1950 and 1980. These mining towns were seen as places of permanent settlement. This permanency, together with the privatisation of mine‐owned houses (mid‐1980s) increased place attachment. Mine decline thus brought with it some form of social disruption. Whereas mining companies in Australia have attempted to minimise the social disruption caused by mine closure by introducing fly‐in‐fly‐out arrangements, the post‐apartheid housing policy in South Africa has focused on asset building in mining areas. We completed 180 interviews with representatives of households. The survey formed part of a panel survey and further included a control group and 15 qualitative interviews. Our results indicate that though members of the mining community have housing units that are larger than those of the control group, incomes are lower in the mining community, real income is in decline, smaller numbers of household members are contributing to income, self‐assessments of wealth are characterised by lower ratings, household assets increase at a slower pace, and there is a stronger preference to continue to reside in the area. All of the above serves to illustrate the consequences of the asset‐based strategies embedded in South African housing policy. The social disruption associated with mine closure further tends to lock households into locations, and thus inhibits mobility.
    January 05, 2017   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12117   open full text
  • Household susceptibility to hydrological change in the Lower Mekong Basin.
    Ruby W. Grantham, Murray A. Rudd.
    Natural Resources Forum. December 23, 2016
    The hydrological conditions of the Lower Mekong Basin support a multitude of ecosystem services. Processes that influence water flow in the Mekong River will thus have implications for the tens of millions of people whose livelihoods depend on these services. This study presents an assessment of livelihood susceptibility to hydrological change in the Lower Mekong Basin. Using an index‐based approach, susceptibility scores were calculated for 2,703 households. Using those scores, we compared average household susceptibility across the basin, among countries and among eco‐zones. Due to their greater livelihood dependency on water‐related activities, mean household susceptibility was higher in Vietnam than in Cambodia, Laos, or Thailand. Households in Northern Laos also had high susceptibility, which was attributed to their low adaptive capacity. The findings suggest that policies aimed at reducing vulnerability to hydrological change in the Lower Mekong Basin should account for geographic context. Further, they highlight how policies may be able to strategically target the most susceptible households, but that poorly designed policies have the potential to exacerbate vulnerability. In the face of high uncertainty surrounding hydrological change in the Lower Mekong Basin, our assessment of susceptibility should help inform precautionary water management policies and provide baseline information needed for more comprehensive vulnerability assessments.
    December 23, 2016   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12113   open full text
  • Adapting to climate variability and change in rural Kenya: farmer perceptions, strategies and climate trends.
    Justus Ochieng, Lilian Kirimi, Joyce Makau.
    Natural Resources Forum. December 09, 2016
    Climate change has had a significant impact on rain‐fed agricultural production in developing countries. Smallholder farmers are the most vulnerable, and currently must make production decisions in a high risk and uncertain environment with regard to rainfall and temperature. This paper uses climate and household survey data to analyse farmer perceptions regarding climate change, adaptation measures taken in response to these changes, and how well these perceptions correlate with meteorological data in Kenya. We find that a significant number of farmers perceive climate change as real, and that they are particularly concerned about changes in rainfall and temperature. Changing crop varieties is predominantly used as an adaptation measure since extension messages often encourage adoption of drought‐resistant varieties. Major factors influencing farmer perceptions include age of the farmer, which is often associated with more farming experience and subsequent extension service. Except in low potential zones, farmers' perceptions of climatic variability are in line with climatic data records. Better education, access to extension messages, farm size and credit facilities are necessary for farmers to decide to adapt to climate change. The paper further assesses barriers to the adoption of various adaptation strategies, and lack of finances and knowledge have been found to inhibit adaptation response within the smallholder farming sector. Findings imply that effective adaptation to threats posed by climate variability and change requires a multi‐dimensional collaborative approach, with different stakeholders playing key roles in providing support services in terms of education, extension, credit and meteorological information.
    December 09, 2016   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12111   open full text
  • Renewable inequity? Women's employment in clean energy in industrialized, emerging and developing economies.
    Bipasha Baruah.
    Natural Resources Forum. October 18, 2016
    Women are globally underrepresented in the energy industry. This paper reviews existing academic and practitioner literature on women's employment in renewable energy in industrialized nations, emerging economies and developing countries. It highlights similarities and differences in occupational patterns in women's employment in renewables in different parts of the world, and makes recommendations for optimizing women's participation. Findings reveal the need for broader socially‐progressive policies and shifts in societal attitudes about gender roles, in order for women to benefit optimally from employment in renewables. In some industrialized countries, restructuring paid employment in innovative ways while unlinking social protection from employment status has been suggested as a way to balance gender equity with economic security and environmental protection. However, without more transformative social changes in gender relations, such strategies may simply reinforce rather than subvert existing gender inequities both in paid employment and in unpaid domestic labor. Grounded interventions to promote gender equality in renewable energy employment – especially within the context of increasing access to energy services for underserved communities – are more prevalent and better‐established in some non‐OECD (Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development) countries. OECD countries might be well‐advised to try to implement certain programs and policies that are already in place in some emerging economies.
    October 18, 2016   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12105   open full text
  • Sustainability assessment of three districts in the city of Donostia through the NEST simulation tool.
    Xabat Oregi, Maxime Pousse, Lara Mabe, Alexandre Escudero, Iker Mardaras.
    Natural Resources Forum. October 06, 2016
    Nowadays, urbanists are facing increasing demands regarding the performance of urban development projects in terms of environment, quality of life and socio‐economic issues. In order to address these increasing demands, actors involved in urban development projects need tools capable of assessing their impacts. These tools should also enable the comparison of all potential scenarios. Taking into account these needs, Nobatek and Tecnalia have developed NEST (Neighbourhood Evaluation for Sustainable Territories), which is one of the first tools that allows for a simultaneous environmental, economic and social analysis at the district scale, with a life‐cycle perspective. Using NEST, the authors of this work carried out an environmental and social evaluation of three districts in the city of Donostia, in the framework of the Essai Urbain research project. The evaluation first consisted of analysing baseline environmental impacts of the three districts. Then, with the objective of reducing environmental impacts and increasing social well‐being, the authors proposed several refurbishment scenarios for the studied districts, focusing on energy issues. The study was performed in close collaboration with the city of Donostia, which enabled the identification and selection of the most relevant scenarios from an environmental standpoint. Moreover, the NEST software has caught the attention of the project's stakeholders regarding environmental issues. Finally, NEST seems to be an interesting alternative in accounting for sustainable development issues from the early stages of urban development projects.
    October 06, 2016   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12104   open full text
  • A framework for reforming India's forest biodiversity management regime.
    S. Faizi, M. Ravichandran.
    Natural Resources Forum. August 30, 2016
    India's forest biodiversity management regime is analysed at the policy, legal and institutional levels, from the perspective of the triple objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the principles of the Indian constitution. The forest biodiversity management regime has both structural and functional flaws that render it largely incapable of facing the challenge of increasing biodiversity degradation and deepening poverty among the Adivasis and other forest‐dependent communities. The paper argues for the reform of the forest biodiversity management regime and offers recommendations in regard to most aspects of the regime, with a view of putting the country's conservation enterprise on a course that is effective, sustainable and inclusive, rejecting the report of the High Power Committee (HPC) (also known as the Subramanian Committee), which is premised on easing corporate access to forests.
    August 30, 2016   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12103   open full text
  • Considering the locals: coastal construction and destruction in times of climate change on Anjouan, Comoros.
    Beate M.W. Ratter, Jan Petzold, Kamardine Sinane.
    Natural Resources Forum. August 30, 2016
    The current discussion of anticipated climate change impacts and future sea level rise is particularly relevant to small island states. An increase in natural hazards, such as floods and storm waves, is likely to have a devastating impact on small islands' coastlines, severely affecting targeted sustainable development. Coastal erosion, notably human‐induced erosion, has been an ongoing threat to small island biodiversity, resources, infrastructure, and settlements, as well as society at large. In the context of climate change, the problem of coastal erosion and the debate surrounding it is gaining momentum. Before attributing associated impacts to climate change, current human activities need to be analysed, focusing not only on geomorphological and climatological aspects, but also on political and traditional cultural frameworks. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of the social‐political‐ecological systems analysis for adaptation strategies, and thus for future sustainable development. Coastal use is based on human constructs of the coast, as well as local perceptions and values ascribed to the coast. We use the case study of Anjouan, Comoros to differentiate between constructive and destructive practices on the coast, from both a mental and technical perspective. Beach erosion is described as more than a resource problem that manifests itself locally rather than nationally. Divergent political scales of interest impact future development as much as local action. Local action is not least framed by mental contribution and attribution of coasts as places for living, recreation and resource use. The present case study demonstrates that mental constructs of coasts as valuable areas can, in some cases, lead to the protection and preservation of beaches by initiatives of collective action. At the same time, local communities see the negative impacts of sand mining as causes of coastal erosion and, therefore, it is difficult to mobilize them to adapt to climate change and sea level rise.
    August 30, 2016   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12102   open full text
  • Thinking inside the basin: scale in transboundary water management.
    Bunyod Holmatov, Jonathan Lautze.
    Natural Resources Forum. August 09, 2016
    While transboundary waters are widely advocated to be best managed at the basin level, practical experience in transboundary waters at the basin vis‐à‐vis other scales has not been systematically examined. To understand past experiences in transboundary water management at alternate scales, this paper: (i) determines the relative abundance of water treaties at different scales and (ii) elucidates how transboundary water law varies according to the scale to which it applies. The paper developed a scale typology with six groups, and systematically applied it to stratify transboundary water treaties. Treaty contents were then compared across scales according to the following set of parameters: primary issue area, temporal development, and important water management attributes. Results of this work reveal: (i) treaties tend to focus on hydropower and flood control at smaller scales, and organizations and policies at larger scales; (ii) a temporal trend toward treaties concluded at larger scales; and (iii) a higher proportion of treaties is at larger scales in Africa and Asia than in Europe and the Americas. These findings suggest that smaller scale cooperation may constitute a more constructive scale in which to achieve development‐oriented cooperation. Further, scope may exist to complement basin scale cooperation with cooperation at smaller scales, in order to optimize transboundary water management. In the context of basin‐wide management frameworks, Africa and Asia may benefit from greater emphasis on small‐scale transboundary water cooperation.
    August 09, 2016   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12099   open full text
  • Dynamics of local governance in natural resource conservation in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.
    Emmanuel Mogende, Oluwatoyin Kolawole.
    Natural Resources Forum. July 29, 2016
    There has been a shift in natural resource management worldwide. This paper describes how modern institutions and policies influence management and shape access to and utilization of resources by rural communities in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. It is rooted in the framework of adaptive co‐governance within social‐ecological systems, and employs a critical literature review to analyse access to and use of natural resources in rural Botswana. Prior to the establishment of community‐based natural resource management (CBNRM) in Botswana in 1989, resource governance was dominated by strong traditional institutions that were responsible for natural resource management and decision‐making. Contemporary natural resource governance is characterized by a bureaucratic system that invariably undermines the role of traditional institutions in natural resource governance. Findings indicate that policies and regulatory instruments deny rural communities adequate access to and utilization of resources available within their immediate environment. In spite of an orientation towards an anthropocentric approach to natural resource management (as in the case of CBNRM), the current governance system continues to undermine the inclusion of local resource users as legitimate stakeholders in the decision‐making process.
    July 29, 2016   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12098   open full text
  • Qualifying irrigation system sustainability by means of stakeholder perceptions and concerns: lessons from the Segarra‐Garrigues Canal, Spain.
    Sandra Ricart, Anna Ribas, David Pavón.
    Natural Resources Forum. July 21, 2016
    When planning interventions, water and land resource managers increasingly need to take the opinions of stakeholders into account. In the present study, stakeholders’ concerns in a multifunctional water system are assessed, with a focus on the debate about the sustainability of irrigation projects in stressed and competing water contexts. The selected case study pertains to the Segarra‐Garrigues irrigation canal (Spain), the promotion of which has generated social debate and mobilization, as well as pronouncements from European authorities for ensuring its environmental sustainability. Data was collected through semi‐structured interviews and analysed by means of a new codification system for identifying the affinities and conflicts arising from existing water demands. Results show that sustainability concepts are more present in civil society than in public administration and private services or the rural community. However, social sustainability and environmental sustainability are a priority for most stakeholders, while the economic perspective of sustainable development has been conditioned by the first two. These results can be used by relevant authorities as a first step in customizing their interventions, as they provide a clear initial idea of what stakeholder priorities are in the framework of sustainable development.
    July 21, 2016   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12097   open full text
  • Who counts, what counts: representation and accountability in water governance in the Upper Comoé sub‐basin, Burkina Faso.
    Carla Roncoli, Brian Dowd‐Uribe, Ben Orlove, Colin Thor West, Moussa Sanon.
    Natural Resources Forum. July 05, 2016
    This article examines the unfolding of integrated water resource management (IWRM) reforms in southwest Burkina Faso, where water resources are subject to conflicting claims by a diversity of users. We first describe the establishment a local water user committee, showing how choices regarding composition and operations grant varying levels of recognition to different stakeholders. We then discuss the implications for key dimensions of decentralized governance, namely representation and accountability. In particular we focus on: (a) how the interplay of political agendas and policy disconnects shapes the committee's viability and credibility and (b) how tensions between techno‐scientific and local knowledge affect participation and transparency. We argue that in contexts defined by contentious politics and neo‐patrimonial practices, representativeness is better ensured by the direct inclusion of user groups rather than elected officials. Though limited discretionary power, information access, and technical capabilities of committee members inhibit accountability, rural producers uphold their claims through social mobilization and reliance on local knowledge. Recognizing the opportunities offered by the country's recent democratic turn, we formulate recommendations aimed at addressing structural drivers and enabling citizen agency in decentralized water governance. At the same time, further research is needed on local people's understandings of representation and accountability, to ensure that they are involved in institutional design and practices in ways that affirm what they value and what they know.
    July 05, 2016   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12095   open full text
  • Impact of forest policies on timber production in India: a review.
    Mili Ghosh, Bhaskar Sinha.
    Natural Resources Forum. June 29, 2016
    Until the 20th century, forest policies across the globe focused primarily on effective forest utilization for timber production. Subsequent loss of forest land prompted many countries to review and amend such policies, in an attempt to incorporate the principles of conservation and sustainable forest management. One of the countries to implement such changes was India, which introduced new policies, acts and programmes to regulate forest conversion and degradation, beginning in the 1980s. These policies, acts, and programmes included the Forest Conservation Act of 1980, the National Forest Policy of 1988 and the Hon. Supreme Court Order of 1996. All of these regulations affected the timber supply from government forest areas, and created a huge gap in timber supply and demand. Currently, this deficit is met through imports and trees outside forests (TOFs). Timber production from government forest areas is abysmally low (3.35% of total demand) compared to potential timber production from TOFs, which fulfil 45% of the total timber demand in India. This implies that TOFs have immense potential in meeting the growing timber demand; however, they have not been fully utilized due to discrepancies in state level TOFs’ policies. The present paper provides a review of different forest policies, acts and guidelines in relation to timber production in India, and provides specific recommendations in order to maximize timber production in the context of increasing demand for timber products.
    June 29, 2016   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12094   open full text
  • Sustainable mobility as Swiss cheese? – Exploring influences on urban transport strategy in Basel.
    Paul Fenton.
    Natural Resources Forum. June 06, 2016
    This paper explores the development and implementation of strategies for sustainable mobility in Basel, Switzerland. Basel (Bâle, Basilea, Basle) has been identified as a ‘relatively successful’ practitioner of sustainable mobility, with an urban form that is not only conducive to walking and cycling, but also has an extensive public transport system and high levels of commuting using these sustainable modes of transport. With a low share of journeys by motor vehicles compared to many other European cities – combined with a legally‐binding objective to reduce vehicle traffic by a further 10% from 2010 to 2020 – Basel appears to be a forerunner with regard to sustainable mobility policy and practice. Five years after this objective was passed into law – following a public vote, as Basel is part of the Swiss confederation and practices direct democracy – this study aims to assess the extent of policy implementation and reflect on challenges and opportunities for the future. The paper presents findings from a series of interviews with stakeholders in Basel on the theme of sustainable mobility. Key questions include: is it possible to develop coherent strategies and policies to further reduce the role of motor vehicles and in doing so, achieve a modal shift? How does participation in a direct democracy influence strategy and policy development and outcomes? Do compromises and trade‐offs mean strategies and policies promoting sustainable mobility are, like Swiss cheese, riddled with holes? By illustrating challenges and opportunities when advancing sustainable mobility in a participative culture, the study provides insights for policymakers and researchers in other contexts. Among the conclusions is an emphasis on the importance of committed individuals capable of expanding the ‘strategy space’ of processes. Participation provides one such opportunity, yet may also generate divergent or contradictory trends causing incrementalism. A rapid transition to sustainable mobility is thus likely to require increased politicisation of the topic by both politicians and civil servants.
    June 06, 2016   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12093   open full text
  • Environmental information sharing: a means to support the legitimization of oyster farmers’ stewardship over water quality management in NSW, Australia.
    Nicolas Paget, Katherine Anne Daniell, Ana Rubio Zuazo, Olivier Barreteau.
    Natural Resources Forum. June 01, 2016
    Oyster farmers depend on good water quality. Activities upstream from estuaries result in externalities that impact water quality. Over the last 10 years, oyster farmers have been developing estuary‐wide environmental management systems ( EMSs ) to tackle internal (i.e. industry‐related) and external (i.e. catchment) issues in N ew S outh W ales, A ustralia. Drawing on interview‐based research and document analyses, this paper shows that the process of creating an EMS for the oyster industry, as well as the creation of the EMS itself, resulted in legitimizing the industry's stewardship over the natural resource it depends on (water). For the oyster industry, this result was due to a change in the scale on which EMSs have been developed: instead of viewing issues at the individual business level, the systems expanded their viewpoint to the entire catchment, and included every oyster business in the estuary, as well as all other activities in the upper catchment. By providing a means of communicating internal efforts and with the support of local government bodies, EMSs provided a mechanism with which influence over upstream actors and activities could be exerted. We demonstrate this by using the ‘social‐ecological systems’ and ‘ ENCORE ’ frameworks, emphasizing the transitions that allowed for this change of scale to take place.
    June 01, 2016   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12092   open full text
  • Key factors that influence households’ tree planting behaviour.
    Yusuph J. Kulindwa.
    Natural Resources Forum. April 14, 2016
    Despite a decrease in indigenous forests and a growing demand for tree products in developing countries, tree planting activities are not considerably expanding in Tanzania. In this paper, we analyse factors that influence households’ tree planting behaviour, as well as the number of trees planted. Coast and Morogoro regions in the east of Tanzania were selected as the case, and data was gathered from 202 households in 11 villages in these regions where tree planting programmes have been or still are active. A Heckman model is used to analyse the factors that drive tree planting behaviour. Results indicate that households get wood energy from forest reserves (57%), in addition to their own planted trees (9.1%). Emperical findings show that the most important factors have significantly positive effects on households’ tree planting behaviour, as well as the extent to which it was implemented. These factors include households’ land sizes, households’ awareness of tree planting programmes, tree planting for wood energy, and the age of the head of the household. The right/freedom to harvest and transport tree products, households’ attitudes towards tree planting, and family size have significantly negative effects on households’ tree planting behaviour. This paper is perhaps the first comprehensive study to analyse the factors that influence households’ tree planting behaviour in Tanzania, and it uncovers results that are useful, even for other developing countries with similar conditions.
    April 14, 2016   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12088   open full text
  • Tourism and wetland conservation: application of travel cost and willingness to pay an entry fee at Ghodaghodi Lake Complex, Nepal.
    Pramod Lamsal, Kishor Atreya, Krishna Prasad Pant, Lalit Kumar.
    Natural Resources Forum. March 23, 2016
    This study investigated the need and applicability of wetland tourism for resource conservation, using the case of Ghodaghodi Lake Complex, a Ramsar Site in western Nepal. The travel cost method (TCM) was used to determine the recreation potential of the lake complex, while the contingent valuation method (CVM) was used to calculate willingness of visitors to pay an entry fee as a payment vehicle for conservation. The per capita travel cost was found to be NPR 540 (US $7.71), while the mean willingness to pay an entry fee was NPR 34 (US $0.48) per visitor per entry. In addition, factors affecting wetland visitation rates and maximum willingness to pay were identified. Policy implications include the establishment of an entry fee system to offset conservation budgetary constraints, government investment in social benefits equating to at least per capita travel cost identified, and public‐private partnerships, with community participation in tourism promotion and wetland conservation.
    March 23, 2016   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12089   open full text
  • Analysis of energy security and sustainability in future low carbon scenarios for Brazil.
    Fátima Lima, Joana Portugal‐Pereira, André F.P. Lucena, Pedro Rochedo, Jorge Cunha, Manuel Lopes Nunes, Alexandre Salem Szklo.
    Natural Resources Forum. January 21, 2016
    This study estimated a series of indicators to assess the energy security of supply and global and local environmental impacts under different mitigation scenarios through 2050 in Brazil, designed with the integrated optimization energy system model MESSAGE‐BRAZIL. The assessment of interactions between environmental impacts and energy security dimensions was complemented through the application of life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. Overall results imply energy security establishes more synergies than trade‐offs in increasingly stringent mitigation scenarios, especially patent within the sustainability dimension, which increases energy security and provides additional benefits regarding climate change mitigation and air pollution emissions. It is still necessary to extend analysis to other energy sectors in addition to the power supply sector and to promote a better understanding of repercussions of energy scenario expansion in energy security.
    January 21, 2016   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12081   open full text
  • The legacy of migration in response to climate stress: learning from the Gilbertese resettlement in the Solomon Islands.
    Simon D. Donner.
    Natural Resources Forum. January 21, 2016
    The long‐term threat of sea‐level rise to coral atoll and reef island communities in Kiribati, Tuvalu and other nations has raised the possibility of international migration. Historical resettlements in the Pacific may provide valuable insight into the long‐term effect of future climate change‐related migration on communities. This study evaluates the challenges faced by Gilbertese people resettled from modern‐day Kiribati to Ghizo in the Solomon Islands by the British colonial administration in the mid‐1900s. Drawing upon field interviews (n = 45) conducted in 2011 and the available historical literature, the study examines the circumstances of the initial failed resettlement in the equatorial Phoenix Islands, the subsequent relocation to Ghizo, and the recent concerns of the Gilbertese in Ghizo. Focus is placed on the struggle to recover from the 2007 tsunami that devastated the unprepared community. The analysis reveals that uncertainty about land tenure (raised by 61% of respondents) persists 60 years after resettlement, and is linked to the ability to recover from the tsunami, tensions with the Melanesian population, concerns over political representation, cultural decline, and education and employment opportunities. The Gilbertese experience can serve as a cautionary tale for policymakers considering mechanisms for facilitating climate change‐related migration.
    January 21, 2016   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12082   open full text
  • A Yin‐Yang approach to education policy regarding health and the environment: early‐careerists' image of the future and priority programmes.
    Paul Watts, Benjamin Custer, Zhuang‐Fang Yi, Enoch Ontiri, Marivic Pajaro.
    Natural Resources Forum. January 21, 2016
    Since the inception of sustainable development (SD), there has been a somewhat ignored contradiction between paradigms that are ecosystem‐based and paradigms that are human‐based or purely economic. We suggest that this contradiction can be unified through a balance of the two. The Chinese Yin‐Yang philosophy is applied as a tool or approach to seeking balance between these ecocentric and anthropocentric paradigms. Priority education policy design for the merging of ecology and health are projected through an Ecohealth lens in response to increasing SD challenges and the intention of the international Ecohealth organization to contribute to SD goals. Meeting SD goals along the nexus of health and environment is further considered through early‐careerist cultural assessments and projections. The groups considered for their professional image of the future are: members of the Ecohealth Association Student Section and Chinese early‐careerists participating in a related conference. In response to SD goals, a problem‐based learning design is suggested as an education policy priority. Rather than approaching SD as a boolean concept, for example, by either focusing on ecosystem sustainability or economic development, we suggest education policy for programmes and curriculums that will help emerging professionals balance these paradigms, so as to best address national and global challenges.
    January 21, 2016   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12083   open full text
  • Implementing SDG 15: Can large‐scale public programs help deliver biodiversity conservation, restoration and management, while assisting human development?
    Peter Bridgewater, Mathieu Régnier, Roberto Cruz García.
    Natural Resources Forum. January 21, 2016
    Among the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the proposed SDG 15 promotes activities that, inter alia, “Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems”. An important potential contribution in achieving SDG 15 is through public programmes designed to jointly promote human development through poverty alleviation and improvement of human livelihoods and biodiversity conservation/management/restoration. An analysis of twenty public programmes with such joint objectives yielded twelve lessons learned. In addition to financial commitments, government and intergovernmental agency input for such public programmes includes ensuring political will and appropriate legal frameworks. Local communities and civil society provide input through traditional and indigenous ecological knowledge and stewardship. Appropriate shared inputs in development and the implementation of such public programmes, with communication between local community, broader civil society, the scientific community and governments will result in: better use and management of biodiversity; alleviation of poverty; security of livelihoods and better governance systems. The Ecosystem Approach of the Convention on Biological Diversity provides an ideal framework when planning and implementing new programmes. Application of the lessons learned to new public programmes will ensure that the answer to the question posed in the title is an emphatic “Yes”, and assist with the achievement of SDG 15.
    January 21, 2016   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12084   open full text
  • Energy production and sustainability: A study of Belo Monte hydroelectric power plant.
    Issa Ibrahim Berchin, Jéssica Garcia, Mauri Luiz Heerdt, Angélica de Quevedo Moreira, Ana Clara Medeiros Silveira, José Baltazar Salgueirinho Osório de Andrade Guerra.
    Natural Resources Forum. January 21, 2016
    The increase in energy demand due to economic and population growth necessitates the expansion of the Brazilian energy supply. Hydropower energy, a renewable energy source, arguably clean, presents an energy solution for many countries such as Brazil, with large hydric reservoirs, which help them reduce energy dependence on fossil and imported fuel sources. However, it must be emphasized that without careful planning, the creation of hydropower plants will cause severe social and environmental damage due to the large areas that need to be flooded for the implementation of these plants. The installation of hydropower plants floods vast forest areas, causing loss of biodiversity, displacement of native Brazilian people and riverside populations, and changes to the water acid levels and the natural course of rivers. To mitigate these effects, authorities must first conduct a study on installation possibilities and potential socio‐environmental consequences, to be interpreted and used by the agents involved. Aiming to analyze the social‐environmental impacts of the hydropower plants, this research seeks to investigate the capacity of mitigation of the negative effects of the implementation of the hydropower plants, specifically with regard to the Belo Monte plant, Brazil.
    January 21, 2016   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12085   open full text
  • The global partnership for sustainable development.
    Yongfu Huang, Muhammad G. Quibria.
    Natural Resources Forum. May 06, 2015
    This paper examines whether foreign aid, together with other economic, social and environmental factors, contributes to sustainable development. It starts with an illustrative theoretical growth model where foreign aid promotes sustainable development by protecting the environment. Using factor analysis and newly developed estimation methods for a dynamic panel data model with endogenous regressors, the empirical section of the paper finds evidence that foreign aid has had a significantly positive influence on sustainable development in aid recipient countries. This effect is very likely to go through channels related to growth and resources as well as a technology channel with respect to energy intensity. This research has important implications for a post‐2015 development framework on international collective action with regard to a sustainable future.
    May 06, 2015   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12068   open full text
  • Connecting stressors, ocean ecosystem services, and human health.
    Paul A. Sandifer, Ariana E. Sutton‐Grier.
    Natural Resources Forum. June 02, 2014
    Ocean and coastal ecosystems provide many critical ecosystem services that support human health and well‐being including providing food, storm protection, and carbon sequestration. Environmental stressors acting individually or concurrently and synergistically are reducing the ability of coastal ecosystems to provide key ecosystem services that may result in decreases in human health and well‐being. We outline some impacts to human health and well‐being that may result from the effects on coastal and ocean ecosystem services of five example stressors: rising temperatures, nutrient enrichment, ocean acidification, habitat destruction and the concomitant loss of biodiversity, and extreme weather events. We conclude with suggestions for research and related actions to improve our understanding and management of coastal ecosystems. These include the need for natural and biomedical/public health scientists, and their respective professional organizations, to work together to increase understanding of the connections between healthy and degraded coastal and marine ecosystems and human health, and for policy and decision‐makers to account for these impacts when considering trade‐offs among management alternatives.
    June 02, 2014   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12047   open full text
  • Enhancing the Global Ocean Observing System to meet evidence based needs for the ecosystem‐based management of coastal ecosystem services.
    Thomas C. Malone, Paul M. DiGiacomo, Emanuel Gonçalves, Anthony H. Knap, Liana Talaue‐McManus, Stephen Mora, Jose Muelbert.
    Natural Resources Forum. May 26, 2014
    Ecosystem‐based approaches (EBAs) to managing anthropogenic pressures on ecosystems, adapting to changes in ecosystem states (indicators of ecosystem health), and mitigating the impacts of state changes on ecosystem services are needed for sustainable development. EBAs are informed by integrated ecosystem assessments (IEAs) that must be compiled and updated frequently for EBAs to be effective. Frequently updated IEAs depend on the sustained provision of data and information on pressures, state changes, and impacts of state changes on services. Nowhere is this truer than in the coastal zone, where people and ecosystem services are concentrated and where anthropogenic pressures converge. This study identifies the essential indicator variables required for the sustained provision of frequently updated IEAs, and offers an approach to establishing a global network of coastal observations within the framework of the Global Ocean Observing System. The need for and challenges of capacity‐building are highlighted, and examples are given of current programmes that could contribute to the implementation of a coastal ocean observing system of systems on a global scale. This illustrates the need for new approaches to ocean governance that can achieve coordinated integration of existing programmes and technologies as a first step towards this goal.
    May 26, 2014   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12045   open full text
  • Call for Papers.

    Natural Resources Forum. May 20, 2014
    There is no abstract available for this paper.
    May 20, 2014   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12046   open full text
  • Quantitative accounting for social economic indicators.
    Darian McBain, Ali Alsamawi.
    Natural Resources Forum. May 02, 2014
    In this paper we consider the evolution of quantitative accounting of social indicators for measuring societal progress and sustainable development, with particular reference to economic analysis and social indicators. We examine the use of the System of National Accounts and introduce the concept of using input‐output analysis for the development of social indicators. The use of satellite accounts for input‐output analysis of environmental impacts and the development of environmental footprints has been well documented. The novelty of this paper is the use of a methodology frequently used to develop environmental indicators to quantify social impacts and to further the development of social footprints. We provide a case study of the use of social satellite accounts for labour, using multi‐regional input‐output analysis to develop a global inequality footprint for labour embodied in trade, and argue the case for the development of a system of social economic accounts, similar to the System of Environmental‐Economic Accounts adopted by the United Nations Statistical Commission in 2012. This work contributes to the development of social valuation metrics as a means for measuring societal progress and developing sustainability indicators for use in management and decision‐making.
    May 02, 2014   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12044   open full text
  • Extending the EU Renewable Energy Directive sustainability criteria to solid bioenergy from forests.
    Uwe R. Fritsche, Leire Iriarte, Johnny Jong, Alessandro Agostini, Nicolae Scarlat.
    Natural Resources Forum. April 22, 2014
    Solid bioenergy from forests plays — and is expected to continue to play — a key role to fulfil the renewable energy targets at the European Union level. When the Renewable Energy Directive was enacted, sustainability criteria were incorporated solely for biofuels and bioliquids. Sustainability criteria for solid bioenergy are also needed in order to prevent wood and primary forest residues from posing additional environmental risks to ecosystems. Acknowledging this, the European Commission has been working on extending the biofuels and bioliquids provisions to solid biomass. An internal draft was circulated in August 2013 which addressed the ways to both balance and mitigate the risks in three main topics: biodiversity; sustainable forest management; and greenhouse gases. This paper presents a set of criteria and indicators, developed during workshops with experts from Governments, scientific institutions, businesses and NGOs, that may be considered by the EU to assure that solid biomass from forests is obtained in an environmentally sustainable way.
    April 22, 2014   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12042   open full text
  • The contribution of non‐timber forest products towards sustainable rural development: The case of Candelilla wax from the Chihuahuan Desert in Mexico.
    Miguel Arato, Stijn Speelman, Guido Van Huylenbroeck.
    Natural Resources Forum. April 21, 2014
    The promotion of development projects based on the commercialization of non‐timber forest products has increased in recent decades, showing a positive contribution to rural development; yet it has led to controversial approaches in resource preservation. This paper examines the case of Candelilla wax from the Chihuahuan Desert in northern Mexico, identifying its potential contribution to poverty alleviation in marginal areas, and its unique opportunity to access potential markets of a wide variety of industries all around the world. In this paper, the authors base their analysis on three main aspects: social, economic and environmental. Potential benefits that could be obtained from the collaboration of private institutions, development organizations, policymakers and rural producers through integrated rural development projects are featured.
    April 21, 2014   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12043   open full text
  • Natural food resources bank in the form of forestry and grassland: Scenarios to ensure sustainable food security.
    Wenbiao Wu, Yixing Yang, Charles S. Brennan, Wei Huang.
    Natural Resources Forum. March 19, 2014
    An evaluation was conducted to establish the feasibility of a Natural Food Resources Bank (NFRB), in the form of forestry or grassland, to achieve both continuous food production and an accumulation of primary nutrients in living perennial plants. The development of an NFRB protects our living environment from deterioration (especially soil erosion) by increasing the surface coverage of the world's land, even in mountainous areas. Additionally a functioning NFRB enhances food sustainably and security, representing a tangible and renewable food resource production system. Research has identified the prospects of cultivating the NFRB in the form of forestry and also grassland. The review investigated the distinct differences of an NFRB from a range of approaches and discusses the environmental advantage and feasibility of cultivating NFRB. The ability of the NFRB to realize sustainable food resources production for ensuring food security is evaluated in terms of environmental and economical feasibility. A NFRB can attenuate climatic change by increasing CO2 absorption and fixation. It is worth considering the replacement of the annual food production system by the NFRB (especially in steeplands) in environmental law, and replacing the policy of maintaining annual food reserves by the NFRB in food security policy.
    March 19, 2014   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12039   open full text
  • Exploring risk, resistance and the power of myths among coastal fishing communities in Kerala, India.
    Sunil D. Santha, Gahana P., Aswin V. S.
    Natural Resources Forum. March 18, 2014
    This paper attempts to capture the socially constructed nature of risk by analyzing the discourses embedded in community beliefs, myths and experiential narratives regarding coastal hazards and fishworkers' livelihoods. This paper draws insights from the works of James Scott on power and resistance in the everyday life of marginalized populations. Qualitative data for the study was collected using semi‐structured interview schedules, in‐depth group interviews, oral histories and storytelling across twenty marine fishing villages in Kerala. A significant finding of the study is that the communal discourse of coastal hazards or kolu is an integral part of fishworkers' resistance against formal authority and scientific knowledge systems in coastal management. The myths and beliefs of fishworkers are expressions of their concerns about present forms of development and coastal resource management.
    March 18, 2014   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12041   open full text
  • A review of the protection of sources of drinking water in China.
    Henian Wang, Xinxiao Yu.
    Natural Resources Forum. February 25, 2014
    Water is a natural resource key to human and environmental health. China has suffered serious contamination of its water sources in the past decade, which has had severe consequences on the water supplies of millions of residents. Frequent polluting accidents and the amount of wastewater discharged have caused concern for the safety of drinking water. Fortunately, those at various levels of government have realized the importance of protecting the sources of drinking water and confirmed a list of 175 nationally important sources. Measures have also been adopted to control water pollution, including infrastructural, physical, chemical, ecological, administrative, and legal measures. While helpful, some areas in need of more attention are rural water, groundwater, agricultural pollution, and domestic sewage. Based on the lessons learned from experiences in developed countries, we offer some suggestions for improving, inter alia, funding, legal construction, management, and awareness‐raising, as well as present proposals for the future protection of our sources of drinking water. Future work should focus on water quality standards, quantitative research, high technology and legislation.
    February 25, 2014   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12036   open full text
  • Myanmar under reform: Emerging pressures on water, energy and food security.
    Mirja Kattelus, Muhammad Mizanur Rahaman, Olli Varis.
    Natural Resources Forum. December 17, 2013
    Myanmar's water‐related sectors are subject to intensive changes, as the country's abundant land and water resources provide substantial scope for development. Recent steps towards economic reform in Myanmar have led to a surge of foreign investment directed towards intensified natural resource extraction. Both the agricultural and the energy sector are increasingly affected by foreign investments that will impact the status of water, energy and food security in the country. With these on‐going developments, Myanmar's future is largely dependent on how its natural resources are managed and how the benefits from the resource extraction are shared. With various institutional changes and new actors welcomed to the sectors, existing livelihoods and ecosystems dependent on the land and water resources are to face increasing competition for the shared resources, while lacking secured access to them. There are increasing concerns that this sectoral development is occurring at the expense of environmental and social sustainability. As one way to tackle these challenges, the water‐energy‐food nexus approach could help in finding synergies and co‐benefits across sectors by addressing the imbalances along the nexus and externalities derived from the on‐going intensification.
    December 17, 2013   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12032   open full text
  • Improving visitor management approaches for the changing preferences and behaviours of country park visitors in Hong Kong.
    Lewis T.O. Cheung.
    Natural Resources Forum. July 11, 2013
    This study identified the changing preferences of country park visitors in Hong Kong and the potential for such changes to have further negative impacts on the ecologically sensitive areas of country parks. A questionnaire was used to collect feedback from 644 country park visitors to understand their preferences and visitation patterns. To investigate visitors’ preferences and behaviours and to develop better visitor management strategies, the survey data were compared with studies conducted 20 years ago. The results showed that the most popular nature‐based activities of 20 years ago, namely, picnicking and barbecuing, have significantly declined in popularity, while other activities, namely, nature studies and nature photography, have surged in popularity in recent years. These changes in visitor preferences have directly increased the negative impacts of visitors on country parks as they dispersed away from the high intensity recreation zones to the ecological sensitive areas. This emerging group of country park visitors has not been fully considered in the existing approach to visitor management and may irreversibly impact the ecological value of country parks. In this study, visitor management in Hong Kong's country parks was reviewed based on these research findings, and potential improvements were suggested.
    July 11, 2013   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12025   open full text
  • Government and voluntary policymaking for sustainability in mining towns: A longitudinal analysis of Itabira, Brazil.
    Alberto Fonseca, Patricia Fitzpatrick, Mary Louise McAllister.
    Natural Resources Forum. July 11, 2013
    The socio‐economic fabric of single‐company mining towns needs to be carefully considered by both Government and companies in sustainability policymaking. Policy design and effectiveness in such towns are significantly impacted by the city's economic dependence on a single company. This paper explores the perceived effectiveness of government and voluntary private sector mining policies for pursuing sustainability in the historic mining town of Itabira, Brazil over a period of 20 years. Itabira serves as a worthwhile case study because it allows for an in‐depth and longitudinal analysis that can reveal valuable lessons to policymakers of different sectors and jurisdictions located elsewhere. Based on extensive face‐to‐face interviews and literature reviews, study results indicate that changes to the state environmental licensing policies in the 1990s led to significant socio‐environmental improvements in the area. The globalization of the mining company also contributed to an increase in the quantity and quality of voluntary industry policies. Recent technological improvements in the beneficiation processes of the mining company promises to extend the life of the mine to 2050. Although there are significant incremental socio‐environmental policies and programmes, sustainability remains an elusive vision in Itabira, with no clear objectives or monitoring and accountability mechanisms. The paper concludes by recommending a more formal integrated policymaking framework.
    July 11, 2013   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12024   open full text
  • Economic use value of the Belize marine ecosystem: Potential risks and benefits from offshore oil exploration.
    Andrés M. Cisneros‐Montemayor, F. Gordon Kirkwood, Sarah Harper, Dirk Zeller, U. Rashid Sumaila.
    Natural Resources Forum. July 11, 2013
    The announcement of plans for exploratory oil drilling at a number of offshore sites in Belize raised concerns about the risks associated with drilling, particularly given the socio‐economic importance of the marine ecosystem. The current economic value of fisheries and marine ecotourism is estimated, along with the potential revenue from offshore oil and potential economic losses stemming from oil pollution, under various assumptions on risk and uncertainty. Marine fisheries and ecotourism are estimated to generate around US$ 183 million per year. Single‐year estimated maximum revenue is higher for oil extraction initially but quickly declines; during a 50 year (two generation) period, total discounted benefits from marine fisheries and ecotourism are estimated at US$ 5.1 billion, compared to US$ 3.2 billion from offshore oil revenue. Following a hypothetical oil spill, discounted losses in marine fisheries and ecotourism due to perception and ecological impacts are estimated at US$ 912 million, with clean‐up costs and capital losses of US$ 6.1‐10.4 billion. Considering the short extraction life of oil resources compared to fisheries and ecotourism, the difference in benefits increases substantially in favour of the latter with a longer time horizon. A recent public referendum resulted in a 98% vote against oil exploration and a subsequent annulment of oil concessions pending environmental impact assessments.
    July 11, 2013   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12023   open full text
  • Forest management policies and oil wealth in Iran over the last century: A review.
    Farshad Amiraslani, Deirdre Dragovich.
    Natural Resources Forum. June 30, 2013
    Deforestation is a problem in many developing countries. In Iran, the introduction of forestry management policies in the twentieth century coincided with a period of severe depletion in forest cover. This over‐utilization resulted from tree cutting for road construction, the establishment of sawmills and match factories, and in particular, the growing demand for charcoal and fuelwood for a rapidly increasing population. The formal forestry management policies initiated in the early 1900s were inadequately enforced, leading to continuing loss of forests through largely unregulated exploitation. Despite the discovery of oil in 1908 and natural gas in 1937, gas pipeline construction for domestic consumption was slow, kerosene was only gradually substituted for wood, charcoal consumption only fell steeply after 1960, and the established forest cover decreased sharply between 1970 and 1990. In 1991, the first of the post‐Revolution national Five Year Development Plans commenced and environmental protection was allocated significant budgetary support. The Five Year Plans implemented substantial reductions in livestock grazing in forests and encouraged reforestation, which partly offset the continuing forest removal. Using estimates based on fuelwood consumption in Brazil and USA, the forested area in Iran in 1850 would have disappeared by 2000 without the Government intervention which provided widespread access to fossil fuels. This energy‐source shift decreased local pressure on the dwindling forest resources and was reinforced by Government policies to conserve and extend forests.
    June 30, 2013   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12016   open full text
  • Implementing REDD through community‐based forest management: Lessons from Tanzania.
    Elizabeth J. Z. Robinson, Heidi J. Albers, Charles Meshack, Razack B. Lokina.
    Natural Resources Forum. June 25, 2013
    REDD (reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation) aims to slow carbon releases caused by forest disturbance by making payments conditional on forest quality over time. Like earlier policies to slow deforestation, REDD must change the behaviour of forest degrading actors. Broadly, it can be implemented with payments to forest users in exchange for improved forest management, thus creating incentives; through payments for enforcement, thus creating disincentives; or through addressing external drivers such as urban charcoal demand. In Tanzania, community‐based forest management (CBFM), a form of participatory forest management, was chosen by the Tanzania Forest Conservation Group, a local NGO, as a model for implementing REDD pilot programmes. Payments are made to villages that have the rights to forest carbon. In exchange, the villages must demonstrably reduce deforestation at the village level. In this paper, using this pilot programme as a case study, combined with a review of the literature, we provide insights for REDD implementation in sub‐Saharan Africa. We pay particular attention to leakage, monitoring and enforcement. We suggest that implementing REDD through CBFM‐type structures can create appropriate incentives and behaviour change when the recipients of the REDD funds are also the key drivers of forest change. When external forces drive forest change, however, REDD through CBFM‐type structures becomes an enforcement programme with local communities rather than government agencies being responsible for the enforcement. That structure imposes costs on local communities, whose local authority limits the ability to address leakage outside the particular REDD village.
    June 25, 2013   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12018   open full text
  • Urban forest corridors in Australia: Policy, management and technology.
    M‐Z Wang, J.R. Merrick.
    Natural Resources Forum. June 25, 2013
    This paper demonstrates the importance of the remaining urban forests, and the related policy and management issues, by reviewing the current situation in Sydney, Australia. Transport corridor vegetation surveys are used to show challenges and implications for the future. The process of medium to long‐term policy formulation, with initial management strategy development at the local level, is outlined. This study also addresses the increasing need for integration with other urban issues, including the existing general urban forest strategies. The benefits of using active remote sensing technologies are illustrated by using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data to generate a high resolution, 3‐dimensional surface model. Among the major transport corridors in the Sydney metropolitan area, segments of two long‐established main roads were selected for detailed studies of the roadside forest resource. Data analysis indicated that roadside trees are very diverse and distributed in a patchy way. Some areas are treeless and some have dense stands. The results also showed high variability in species composition between local areas, with canopy cover and shading varying widely. We identify a number of issues and lessons from conservation, pollution and socio‐economic perspectives, which have broader applications, and relate these findings back to policies and planning.
    June 25, 2013   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12021   open full text
  • Community forest management: Can the green economy contribute to environmental justice?
    David Barkin, Mario Fuente.
    Natural Resources Forum. April 12, 2013
    Policymakers face a dilemma in highly diverse societies with many ecosystems: how to implement national policies that allow for serious consideration of these differences. In connection with the attempts to advance towards sustainability in forest systems, Mexico is confronting this problem with difficulty. Although it has committed to implementing policies consistent with REDD+, there are competing pressures for supporting commercial development of plantations on the one hand, and community based management systems that involve multiple objectives in complex proposals on the other. We trace the implications for environmental justice of the choices being made by indigenous communities in the highlands of Oaxaca for promoting sustainable programmes that assure adequate living standards and environmental protection. The analysis shows that this alternative approach offers an interesting set of outcomes that the standard paradigm of the green economy has difficulty achieving.
    April 12, 2013   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12010   open full text
  • “How far do you have to walk to find peace again?”: A case study of First Nations' operational values for a community forest in Northeast British Columbia, Canada.
    Annie L. Booth, Bruce R. Muir.
    Natural Resources Forum. March 24, 2013
    In this paper we report upon research conducted with two First Nations located in British Columbia, Canada (Saulteau First Nations and West Moberly First Nations) on their preferences regarding forest operations within their community forest license. We confirmed the forestry‐related values previously documented in other research, and we are able to determine specific parameters with regard to the protection or integration of these values, particularly those that are ecologically based. In addition, we identify significant cultural values expected in forestry planning and management, their parameters, as well as values not commonly discussed within the literature, such as concerns over non‐indigenous access and conflicting, overlapping resource tenures. We conclude that further research, which accounts for and readily accommodates indigenous values and preferences, is needed to examine North American indigenous participation in both community forest tenures and in developing forest operation planning.
    March 24, 2013   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12005   open full text
  • Forest‐poverty nexus: Exploring the contribution of forests to rural livelihoods in Kenya.
    Jane Kabubo‐Mariara.
    Natural Resources Forum. January 22, 2013
    This paper explores the contribution of forests to the livelihoods of local communities in Kenya. The paper uses survey data to explore resource extraction and the economic reliance of households on forests. The results suggest that both rich and poor households depend on forests, and that membership in forest user groups, and therefore participation in forest activities, may be based on a household's monetary rather than asset income. The results imply that forests support the living standards of the poor through the diversification of household income sources. The econometric results point to the role of household heterogeneity in private resource endowments in influencing dependence on forests. Participation in collective action and farm size are also significant determinants of forest dependence. The results call for a balanced policy approach to forest management that facilitates both access to forests by poor households and forest conservation.
    January 22, 2013   doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.12003   open full text