The unequal distribution of natural resources between countries and regions has for decades led to conflicting interests and tensions. On the one hand, countries that do not have large reserves of raw materials have a crucial interest in gaining access to resources and securing supplies of raw materials at favourable prices through international trade relations and foreign investment. On the other hand, resource-rich countries pursue the goal of maximising revenues from raw materials and using resource wealth to promote development. The exploitation of natural resources is often a key factor in triggering, escalating or sustaining violent conflict at the national, regional and international level. Tensions also arise within resource-rich countries with regard to the social and ecological impacts of raw material extraction and trade. Extraction is often related to serious impacts on the living conditions of the local population. This may lead to contradictory interests and conflicts between local communities and national development strategies.
In this context ÖFSE focuses on international resource policies and their influence on resource fairness. It analyses international policies and regulatory initiatives in the raw materials sector, such as EU raw materials policy, initiatives on conflict minerals, due diligence and transparency initiatives.
In order to promote an inter- and transdisciplinary debate on the issue of equity and access to natural resources, ÖFSE is a scientific advisor to the Working Group on Natural Resources and co-initiator of the transdisciplinary dialogue process on sustainable natural resource policies.
As part of the Resource Equity Research Platform, ÖFSE organised two international conferences on this topic in December 2014 and February 2019. Furthermore, ÖFSE staff members organised and spoke at numerous events on topics such as the raw materials transition, electromobility, mining accidents and more.
In various publications, ÖFSE also provides analyses in the field of international raw materials policy.
Ms. Karin Küblböck
Senior Researcher
Tel.: +43 1 317 40 10 – 111
E-Mail: k.kueblboeck@oefse.at
› more information
Wien, July 2023
Der Übergang zu erneuerbaren Energien und die voranschreitende Digitalisierung haben eine er ...
more
Wien, September 2022
Seit dem 1. Januar 2021 müssen Unternehmen, die bestimmte mineralische Rohstoffe in die Euro ...
more
Wien, July 2022
Eisen ist das Metall der Menschheitsgeschichte. In der industriellen Produktion wird 20-mal ...
more
Wien, June 2022
Iron and steel are key materials for industrial production – the extraction of iron ore has ...
more
Wien, May 2021
There are a multitude of challenges confronting resource-limited, rapidly growing cities tha ...
more
Wien, March 2021
Since 1 January 2021, companies importing certain minerals into the EU must ensure that thei ...
more
Wien, February 2021
Seit dem 1. Januar 2021 müssen Unternehmen, die bestimmte mineralische Rohstoffe in die EU e ...
more
Wien, February 2018
Der Artikel vergleicht die Rohstoffpolitik der EU und Chinas gegenüber den Ländern des sub-s ...
more
Wien, October 2017
Die ausreichende und gesicherte Versorgung mit Rohstoffen gilt als eine zentrale Zukunftsfra ...
more
Wien, October 2017
“No blood in my cell phone” – In the early 2000s, NGO-campaign slogans pointed out the links ...
more
Wien, March 2017
„No blood in my cell phone“ – Anfang der 2000er-Jahre zeigten Kampagnen von Nichtregierungs ...
more
Wien, January 2017
Studie der ÖFSE, gefördert durch die AK-Wien. „No blood in my cell phone“ – Kampagnenslogan ...
more
October 2016 | ISBN: 978-3-7003-1955-9
Rohstoffe sind knapp und umkämpft. Ihre Verfügbarkeit prägt Entwicklungsprozesse und Lebensw ...
more
July 2016
Tantal ist ein Metall, das bis Anfang der 2000er Jahre nur Spezialist/innen ein Begriff war. ...
more
Wien, February 2016
„No blood in my cell phone“ – mit eindrücklichen Slogans veranschaulichten NGOs Anfang der 2 ...
more
Wien, October 2015
Price instability is a major concern for commodity producers in developing countries. Commod ...
more
Wien, September 2015 | 978-3-902906-16-8
„Rohstoffe und Entwicklung“ ist das Thema für den ersten Teil der Publikation. Natürliche Re ...
more
Wien, June 2015
Die steigende Nachfrage nach extraktiven Rohstoffen sowie der Rohstoffpreisboom der 2000er-J ...
more
Wien, October 2013
In the context of a global surge in demand for commodities, several industrialized countries ...
more
Wien, September 2013
Securing access to raw materials plays an important role in EU growth strategies. In 2008 th ...
more