Resources-energy-development nexus and its implications for achieving the SDGs in Asia

Abstract

Growing modern economies are built on a variety of resources, and transitioning to the type of societies that are targeted by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will require a dramatic increase of clean energy (SDG 7) and resources consumption (SDG 12). At the same time, they must be provided within the limits of local environments, with a consideration of the balance of local and global impacts and benefits. Based on mineral production and reserves data for Asian countries, and the predicted requirements of minerals for clean energy technologies for their climate mitigation policy (SDG 13), supply-demand balances are calculated under a variety of scenarios. The potential for supply restrictions of identified "critical" minerals in each economy is demonstrated. Policy issues related to transboundary governance of energy and material flows and their economic and environmental costs and benefits (across the supply chain) to achieve equitable opportunities for all, including for emerging resources such as deep ocean mining (SDG 14) are then discussed on the basis of the "nexus". This "nexus" of resources and energy offers a different perspective on the overall implications for development than either goal individually, and this is the first such study to target the Asian region holistically.