Sustainable Resource Development (AQA A-Level Geography): Revision Notes

Sustainable resource development

Resources are fundamental to every economy. When resources are used and processed, they should contribute to prosperity both now and for future generations. However, the way we currently use resources creates major problems:

• Future generations, particularly in low-income and developing countries, may not have access to their fair share of scarce resources
• Our resource use causes environmental damage that exceeds the planet's ability to sustain it
• These effects will worsen as developing countries achieve economic growth and increase their resource consumption, following the pattern of industrialised nations

Supply and demand management strategies

Understanding how to manage resources sustainably requires examining both how we can increase supply and how we can reduce demand. The following table outlines the key strategies for each approach.

Supply side management

Supply side management involves seeking methods to increase the supply of resources. Key strategies include:

• Increasing exploration efforts to locate new sources of non-renewable resources
• Increasing research and development to create more sustainable alternative or substitute resources to replace less sustainable ones
• Developing new technologies that are more sustainable and cause less environmental impact

Demand side management

Demand side management focuses on reducing consumption of resources, both by individuals and at all other geographical scales. Important approaches include:

• Changing individual behaviour and lifestyle to reduce wasteful and unnecessary resource use
• Developing technology to enable more efficient use of resources
• Recycling after use to extend the life of materials
• Reducing population growth through population control methods, which decreases pressure on resources
• Regulatory controls and frameworks as part of global governance, for example:
  • Agenda 21
  • Paris Climate Agreement

Reducing depletion

Resource depletion primarily applies to non-renewable fossil fuels and critical renewable resources such as biomass. The concept equally applies to water consumption, especially in areas where supplies come from aquifers. When water is abstracted from these large underground stores faster than the rate of recharge, depletion occurs. Reducing depletion depends on the nature of the resource, but can generally be achieved through demand management strategies.

Peak oil demand

In 2019, the International Energy Agency's (IEA) World Energy Outlook report stated that global oil and gas liquid production was at an all-time high and would continue to rise until at least 2040. However, oil production is expected to stabilise and decline - not because of limited oil reserves, but because of:

• Reduced demand resulting from emission reduction policies
• Cost reductions in renewable energy generation and other alternative technologies

It has led some economists to suggest that, despite oil's finite condition, we will not run out of oil because sufficient reserves will still be available at the point where there is no longer any demand.

Minimising environmental impacts

Another key aspect of sustainable development is minimising the environmental impact of resource use. Various technological advances have helped reduce our environmental footprint:

• Catalytic converters on vehicles have mitigated polluting habits
• Flue-gas desulphurisation (FGD) plant and carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology have reduced emissions of sulphur and carbon into the atmosphere from coal-fired power stations

Seeking alternatives and substitutes

A whole array of renewable energy alternatives has evolved to replace non-renewable resources as they start to run out. However, with renewable energy currently contributing only around 18% of the global energy mix, commentators argue that the rate at which these alternatives are being introduced has not been sufficient to significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

EIA informs decision makers of the environmental impacts before a decision is made on whether to proceed with the project. Assessments are often considered in conjunction with related socio-economic and human health impacts.

The EIA process

EIAs are an integral part of development projects around the world, but the assessment process varies. With international environmental laws being complex, specialist environmental consultants are engaged by government authorities and developers to undertake an EIA and to prepare the final environmental statement. For example, Atkins, a London-based firm, have prepared EIAs for water and energy infrastructure projects all around the world. The EIA process in the UK derives from an EU Directive but is likely to remain similar after Brexit.

In essence, the process:

• Assesses the impact of changing land use on the environment
• Quantifies potential environmental impacts and attempts to place a value on them so they are considered on an equal footing with economic factors
• Enables decisions to be taken with full knowledge of environmental consequences
• Suggests modifications or alternatives to the proposal that would mitigate its impact

EIA in relation to resource development projects

A typical application of EIA in relation to resources would be the development of an open-pit (also known as open-cast) mine for a mineral ore, such as copper.

Stages of the EIA process

The table below outlines the main stages of the EIA process typically required by EU environmental policy:

Stage	Description
1. Outline of the proposed development	Description of the site. Construction, operational and decommissioning plans. Identifies all sources of disturbance (e.g. noise, visual or air pollution)
2. Existing environmental conditions surveyed	Identifies all features of the environment that will be affected by the project, including water, soil, flora, fauna and social and cultural aspects
3. Assessment of all environmental impacts	Identifies all the significant impacts in the context of the project. For example, with an open-cast mine the impacts may be land degradation, loss of flora and fauna etc.
4. Modifications that mitigate the impacts	Consideration of all the measures that might be taken to reduce the impacts or that offer remediation. Might include identification of alternative developments
5. Environmental Statement published	A non-technical summary that outlines the environmental impacts and may evaluate these against social and economic costs and benefits in a cost-benefit analysis
6. Decision made by the relevant authority	This is usually done after public consultation after consideration of all the costs and benefits. There is often the right to appeal against the decision