Extractive industries are critical drivers of many economies, but often place a great burden on environmental systems, or affect societies in areas of extraction. This network looks at how to better use resource endowments, including land, for sustainable development. Much of the work of this group touches upon accountability and building strong institutions, as per the objectives of SDG 16.
This thematic network is hosted by the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment.
The mining and metals sector is uniquely placed to support the realisation of the SDGs. Large-scale mining is a global industry operating in all corners of the world, and often in remote and under-developed areas where it is capable of mobilising financial, technological and physical resources on a vast scale.
Lisa Sachs, Co-Chair of the SDSN Good Governance of Extractive and Land Resources
Harnessing natural resource wealth is the great transformative opportunity for many developing nations. Resource extraction generates the largest source of exports, inward investment and potential for government revenues for over sixty low-income countries. However, mismanagement can carry a high cost, with the potential to fuel corruption; economic, environmental, and social damage; and even conflict.
As stewards of their extractive and land resources, governments have the responsibility to manage and regulate the extraction process, and to transform natural assets into sustained prosperity for both current and future generations. This includes the good governance of land and security of tenure especially for the rural poor. In addition, companies must take steps that go beyond minimum legal requirements by ensuring that they do not infringe on the rights of individuals and should strive to comply with high environmental, social, and human rights standards. In part, this means avoiding corruption, contributing to sustainable development outcomes, and making pertinent project information public and accessible.
Some of the questions that the Thematic Network seeks to answer include:
Network Co-Chairs:
Participating Organizations:
Note: Several experts are participating in the Thematic Network in their personal capacities; their organizations are not listed above.
For more information on this group, please contact Lauren Barredo.
SDSN has partnered with the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment, the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, and Equitable Origin to create a shared understanding of how the renewable energy sector can contribute to the SDGs. For each SDG, the Atlas explores potential opportunities and impacts from renewable energy project development, and provides recommendations for companies to better align conduct to the Sustainable Development Agenda.
The Atlas maps the relationship between mining and the SDGs by using examples of good practice in the industry and existing knowledge and resources in sustainable development that if replicated or scaled up could make useful contributions to the SDGs. The Atlas is also intended to advance the conversation about how mining companies, can work collaboratively with governments, communities, civil society and other partners to contribute to achieve the SDGs.
The Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (CCSI) and SDSN have published a briefing note entitled “How Oil and Gas Companies Can Help Meet the Global Goals on Energy and Climate Change,” summarizing the ways in which international oil and gas companies can help expand access to affordable, clean energy and take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
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SDSN mobilizes global scientific and technological expertise to promote practical solutions for sustainable development, including the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement.
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