Impact of energy depletion, human development, and income distribution on natural resource sustainability

Yi Xu and Fang Zhao

Resources Policy, 2023, vol. 83, issue C

Abstract: Constant exploitation of natural resources has resulted from the industrialization and urbanization of society. One of the possible causes of the COVID-19 pandemic is an ecological disturbance caused by excessive resource exploitation. Countries worldwide have taken precautionary measures to limit the spread of this disease because of its highly infectious nature: lockdowns, quarantines, curfews, etc. This paper explores the impacts of energy depletion and the human development index on natural resources, considering the roles of CO2 emissions and economic growth in China from 1971 to 2019. We apply advanced economic modeling using the Phillips-Ouliaris test for integration, Gaussian identity mixed-effects Generalized Linear Model, and Robust GEE population-averaged model for long-run estimates. Results explain that CO2 emissions and economic growth devalue natural resources, while the human development index and energy depletion increase them. Depletion of natural resources occurs due to overexploitation and overuse of natural resources, as well as unsustainable planning and waste. In the case of natural resources that man uses to make other resources, such as dams, roads, sports complexes, etc., these are considered human-made resources. It is, therefore, essential to develop human resources as a part of the natural resource development process. Research limitations and future directions are discussed.

Keywords: Natural resource policy; Energy depletion; Human development index; CO2 emissions; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (18)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:83:y:2023:i:c:s0301420723002428

DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2023.103531

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