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 'Companies are rarely innocent bystanders': Q&A with Irene Khan (May 10)
The former head of Amnesty International argues binding human rights regulations are needed to convert corporate "bad guys" More >>
 Gulf of Mexico disaster likely to spill over to BP’s other US assets (May 10)
Shale gas projects have already raised concerns over their environmental impacts. The current oil spill could make them harder to develop More >>
 Companies may benefit from going ‘extra mile’ in supporting the EITI (May 10)
Supporting good governance can help companies profit over the long-term, as Critical Resource's contribution to the EITI blog argues More >>
 Critical Resource is recruiting (May 10)
In response to client demand and global interest in our work, Critical Resource is looking to selectively expand the team. More >>
 ‘We will push harder than ever’: Q&A with leading ethical investor (Apr 10)
Bennett Freeman, head of sustainability research at Calvert, a leading US SRI fund manager, discusses critical issues facing extractive firms More >>
 Predicting threats to extractive projects: did we get it right? (Apr 10)
A review of our past bulletin articles demonstrates that the LicenseSecure model can significantly strengthen foresight of socio-political risks More >>
 Oil CSR brought to book (Apr 10)
Do oil companies’ CSR efforts get even close to tackling the challenges associated with the industry? A new book takes a pessimistic view More >>
 Exxon in Ghana: billion-dollar lessons in managing resource politics (Mar 10)
Kosmos' $4 billion sale of a stake in an oilfield in Ghana to Exxon has hit a political roadblock, indicating that stakeholder (not just drilling) skills are required to profit from West African oil. More >>
 Major mining companies commit to 'partnerships for development' (Feb 10)
ICMM's new global initiative - developed with Critical Resource support - aims to help enhance the socio-economic contribution of mining More >>
 Storm over Falklands oil: interviews on BBC, Bloomberg, Xinhua etc (Feb 10)
British oil exploration off the disputed islands in the South Atlantic is stoking UK-Argentine tensions. Daniel Litvin comments More >>
 ‘LicenseSecure’ now provides ‘one-stop-shop’ assessment (Jan 10)
Critical Resource has reviewed its LicenseSecure™ methodology to ensure it incorporates the core elements of key global sustainability standards More >>
 'Contributing to development'? Q&A with World Bank Group director (Jan 10)
Somit Varma heads the World Bank Group’s fiercely-debated energy, mining and chemicals work. Critical Resource catches up with him. More >>
 Bangladesh coal controversy: power to the people? (Jan 10)
Even if GCM, the UK-listed miner, can regain government approval for its giant coal project, opponents may still threaten its prospects & profitability More >>
 Xstrata in Peru: will CSR ‘best practice’ keep communities on side? (Dec 09)
To avoid protests faced by other mines in Peru, Xstrata's Las Bambas project has focused early & hard on community relations. Will that be enough? More >>
 ICMM publishes guidance note on resolving local-level grievances (Dec 09)
This key document - developed with support from Critical Resource - is aimed at ICMM members & other mining companies More >>
 Too much 'small thinking' by firms - interview with Global Witness (Nov 09)
Global Witness’ campaigns director wants resource firms to think bigger about the socio-political context in which they operate More >>
 Ivanhoe: A golden opportunity - if Mongolia stays the course (Sep 09)
Mongolia's financial straits are helping to push Ivanhoe's $3bn copper-gold project through its tortuous approval process, but deals signed by governments under financial pressure do not always stand the test of time More >>
 Chinese resource giants: plunderers or partners? (Sep 09)
A new report points to evidence of improving environmental & social standards at Chinese resource firms. Interview with author Jill Shankleman More >>
 Relationship difficulties (Sep 09)
A new book on building strong relations with local communities contains excellent advice – albeit it may not help those who need it most More >>
 Coups, corruption & resource firms - interview with Paul Collier (Jul 09)
Oxford professor & Critical Resource senior advisory panel member argues firms can be 'strategic in influencing how host governments evolve' More >>
 Kurdistan oil profits hinge on fraught Iraqi politics (Jul 09)
Heritage Oil needs the current truce between Baghdad and Iraq’s Kurds to last. Read the first of a new series of 'Flashpoint' articles More >>
 ICMM publishes human rights guidance note (Jul 09)
This key document - developed with support from Critical Resource - is aimed at ICMM members & other mining companies More >>
 Asian rivalry & access to resources - Interview with Bill Emmott (Jun 09)
Former editor of The Economist & member of Critical Resource senior advisory panel on Asia's great powers and their quests for natural resources More >>
 Oil, Gas and International Insecurity: Tackling a Self-fuelling Fire (Jun 09)
More ambitious international policy initiatives are needed if oil & gas importing countries hope to tackle the roots of energy insecurity More >>
 Critical Resource update - Experts rate LicenseSecure™ (Jun 09)
Interviews with leading experts on our model for rating the ‘License to Operate’ have provided very positive feedback and interesting insights More >>
 'Brazil's oil carnival?' - published by Ethical Corporation (Apr 09)
Western energy firms' access to Brazil’s vast oil fields hinges on complex national political currents – & how well the companies navigate these More >>
 'The financial value of trust' - published by MEM (Mar 09)
The downturn is a time to cut back - but not to cut stakeholder relationships More >>
 'CSR and the crunch' - New Statesman interviews Critical Resource (Feb 09)
It would be a disaster for big business to discard CSR because of the credit crunch - particularly as it was originally caused by an ethical failure. More >>
 'From oilsands to quicksands?' - published by Ethical Corporation (Jan 09)
The profitability of huge investments in Canada’s oilsands will hinge not just on the oil price, but on the industry’s response to environmental risks More >>
 A new 'native' title (Jan 09)
A new book on how extractive firms use ‘CSR’ to build relations with indigenous peoples convincingly outlines the problems but less so the solutions More >>
 Eminent figures join LicenseSecure™ senior advisory panel (Jan 09)
Lord (John) Browne, Bill Emmott and Prof Paul Collier to provide guidance on our system to assess the ‘socio-political license’ of resource projects More >>
 'Resources slump: slash & burn?' - published by Ethical Corporation (Dec 08)
Oil & mining firms are slashing investment as commodity prices drop. For their own sake, the socio-political fall out will need sensitive management More >>
 Oilsands will be 'in line with standards' - Interview with Mel Knight (Dec 08)
Alberta Energy Minister Mel Knight makes the case for a future oilsands industry as clean as conventional oil More >>
_thumbnail.jpg) Hot, flat, crowded – and broke (Nov 08)
Calls for a ‘green revolution’ in Thomas Friedman’s latest book are spot on, and chime with Barack Obama’s plans. But should both men come down to earth? More >>
 ‘EITI can help solve energy insecurity’: 60 second Q&A with EITI head (Oct 08)
The global anti-corruption initiative is gaining traction. But will it keep up with expectations? Q&A with Jonas Moberg, head of EITI's Secretariat. More >>
 'Sabre rattling over an OPEC for gas': BBC World Service interview (Oct 08)
A new alliance between Russia, Iran and Qatar over global gas supplies is driven partly by a quest for political influence, comments Daniel Litvin. More >>
 'ArcelorMittal’s African gamble' - published by Ethical Corporation (Oct 08)
The world’s biggest steel company has said it will invest $1.5 billion in one of the poorest countries on earth. It will likely struggle to manage local expectations. More >>
 'The big banks & CSR: Crisis? What crisis?'- published by Prospect (Oct 08)
This era’s greatest episode of financial irresponsibility almost brought capitalism to its knees. So where on earth was the corporate responsibility movement? More >>
_thumbnail.jpg) 'Money & morals in rogue regimes' - published by Mining Environmental Management (Oct 08)
Resource companies face global criticism when they deal with abusive governments. Whether they deserve it depends on their approach More >>
 'The real destruction is coming': 60 second Q&A with Nigeria’s oil rebels (Sep 08)
The most prominent armed militant group from Nigeria’s oil region issues a fresh threat in an email interview with Critical Resource. More >>
 'Areva feels the heat in Niger' - published by Ethical Corporation (Sep 08)
Areva is caught between a local insurgency and an assertive host government – a familiar pattern for other resource projects across the world. More >>
 Critical Resource update, including The Economist & BBC interviews (Sep 08)
Comment in 'The Economist' (on Vedanta and anti-mining protests in India) and BBC (on the 'scramble' for Arctic oil), plus examples of recent work. More >>
 'A dangerous new energy source?' - published by The World Today (Aug 08)
Political pressures and obstacles have placed out of bounds the exploitation of billions of barrels of oil across the world – for the time being at least More >>
 'Human rights: the next climate change?' 60 seconds Q&A with John Ruggie (Jul 08)
The UN special representative is trying to recast the business & human rights debate. Will he succeed? Critical Resource catches up with him. More >>
 Critical Resource update (Jul 08)
New associate joins, research on the geopolitics of resources, progress on our risk rating tool LicenseSecure™, and examples of recent work. More >>
 'Chasing Iraqi oil' - interview with International Security Network (Jul 08)
Major oil companies are on the verge of deals which appear to seal their future influence in Iraqi oil development - potential pitfalls are numerous. More >>
 'An unfunny Gag in Indonesia' - published by Ethical Corporation (Jul 08)
A controversial multi-billion dollar project on the tropical island of Gag poses complex issues for BHP Billiton, the world's largest mining company. More >>
 'Scramble for Arctic oil' - Interview with BBC World Service (Jul 08)
Daniel Litvin comments on the "scramble" for oil and resources in the Arctic and the risk of conflict between nations laying claim to the region. More >>
 'Oil - paying the political price' - published by BBC website (Jun 08)
Worried about the growing cost of oil? Here's another reason to worry: the effect of the high oil price on international politics. More >>
 'Backlash fuels supply problems' - published by The Telegraph (Jun 08)
Western political leaders are showing themselves to be embarrassingly impotent, at least when it comes to influencing the oil price. More >>
 'Investing in rogue regimes' - interview with BBC World Service (Jun 08)
What are the issues and risks for firms investing in regimes such as Zimbabwe? Daniel Litvin comments in this radio interview. More >>
 'Ethical confusion in the Congo' - published by the Mining Journal (May 08)
Criticisms of a new partnership between the UK government and mining firms in the Congo may be a case of NGOs barking up the wrong tree. More >>
 'The rights and wrongs of HRIAs' - published by the Mining Journal (Apr 08)
Human rights impact assessments (HRIAs) are attracting high-level support. Do they add value to existing assessment processes? More >>
 - small_thumbnail.jpg) 'Dangerous moves in the Iraqi oil game' - published by Ethical Corporation (Mar 08)
Companies which strike oil deals with the Kurdish region in Iraq may be helping to undermine the process of Iraqi national conciliation. More >>
'Should oil companies be signing deals in Iraq?' - interview with Ethical Corporation (Mar 08)
In this podcast, Daniel Litvin comments on the dangers of signing oil deals in Iraq before firm national legislation is in place. More >>
 Critical Resource update (Dec 07)
An update on our activities, including examples of recent client projects and commentary in international media. More >>
 'Sustainability activists look east' - published by the Mining Journal (Dec 07)
Recent controversies faced by the Indian mining firm Vedanta may bring a smile to the lips of western mining executives. More >>
 'Storm warning' (Dec 07)
Resource firms can make or lose billions of dollars depending on how well they understand stakeholder pressures facing projects. More >>
 'Turn up the heat on OPEC' – published by the Guardian website (Dec 07)
Industrial nations should use global climate talks to ramp up pressure on OPEC over future oil supplies. More >>
'Chinese investment in Africa' – interview with Emerging Markets (Oct 07)
Western companies fear being undercut by the perceived lower standards of some competitors in Africa. More >>
 Critical Resource update (Sep 07)
Examples of some recent client projects and media coverage, plus the development of our stakeholder analysis tool. More >>
'Big business & global governance' – keynote speech at EABIS (Sep 07)
Companies are better at managing societal issues than in past decades – but success also depends on governments acting more effectively. More >>
'Energy security' – interview with Das Parlament (Sep 07)
Growing competition for oil and mineral reserves has made energy an effective political weapon. More >>
 'Global energy security: a burning issue' - published by Optima (Sep 07)
The world may now be entering a decades-long period of heightened tension and conflict over energy supplies. More >>
 'Iraq’s crude quagmire' - published by Prospect magazine (Aug 07)
Many think it was a war for oil, but US and British companies may end up getting none of it. More >>
 'Mining politics goes global' - published by the Mining Journal (Jul 07)
Recent high profile gatherings show world leaders starting to treat mining as a hot topic. Forward-thinking mining firms will welcome the attention. More >>
 'Shifting battle lines' (May 07)
The next few years are likely to see intensifying pressures to toughen the landmark voluntary initiatives on business and human rights. More >>
'Mining the Congo's future' - published by the Mining Journal (May 07)
Foreign miners are showing renewed interest in the Congo – how they conduct themselves will help determine the fate of a nation. More >>
'Much at stake' (May 07)
Crises faced by two resource projects illustrate the strategic importance of understanding stakeholder views – and how they may sour. More >>
 Critical Resource update (May 07)
Examples of recent client projects with a focus on human rights, as well some earlier projects and writing in this area. More >>
 'Where’s the money?' - published by Ethical Corporation (Mar 07)
Progress on business and human rights might be quicker if human rights were seen as a means to protect value not just avoid bad headlines. More >>
'Strategy and CSR' – interview in Ser Responsible (Jan 07)
Interview with by Spanish CSR magazine. More >>
'Energy security' – interview on BBC World Service (Dec 06)
BBC World Service interview with Critical Resource's director Daniel Litvin on European energy security. More >>
 'Crude politics' - published by Prospect magazine (Jun 06)
Are we entering a new chapter in the history of relations between oil firms and poor countries? More >>
 'Energy rebels must not be provided a cause' - published by the FT (May 06)
Soaring energy prices are giving new political voice to dissident regimes and groups in energy-rich countries. More >>
'The challenge of mineral wealth' - published by ICMM (Apr 06)
Information on ICMM's Resource Endowment initiative, which seeks to enhance the socio-economic impacts of mining in developing countries. More >>
'Oil, gas and imperialism' - published by The Guardian (Jan 06)
The crisis caused by Russia’s hike in gas prices to the Ukraine is a reminder that politics, not the market, is driving global energy policies. More >>
'Business and human rights management report' (Aug 04)
A detailed study examining how eight multinationals, including Anglo American and BP, have developed and are implementing a human rights policy. More >>
'Lessons from history' - keynote speech at Stanford (May 04)
Companies would do well to learn lessons from history by understanding the socio-political context in which they operate. More >>
'Memo to Kofi Annan’ - published by Foreign Policy magazine (Nov 03)
The UN has failed to produce a balanced set of enforceable rules to regulate the human rights impacts of multinational corporations. More >>
'Stealing the NGOs thunder' - published by Ethical Corporation (Sep 03)
Large companie are missing opportunities to head off campaigns from NGOs and other activists. More >>
'Coca-Cola is not the real thing for India’s activists' - published by FT (Aug 03)
Targeting western multinationals rather than governments is often a more effective way for pressure groups to gain publicity for their cause. More >>
'Trouble ahead for oil investment in Iraq?' - published by Prospect (May 03)
The history of oil investment in the developing world hints at trouble ahead for the multinationals in Iraq. More >>
'The politics of policies' - published by Ethical Corporation (May 03)
Companies wishing to formulate policies on social issues, such as human rights and corruption, should beware quick fixes. More >>
'Ethical goals will not stop criticism of business' - published by FT (May 03)
A more rigorous approach to CSR is needed – one which does not promise more than it can deliver in terms of reputation protection. More >>
‘The empire strikes flak’ – paper presented at Harvard (May 03)
In this paper, Daniel Litvin challenges the image of western multinationals as powerful and controlling giants. More >>
'Rio Tinto business integrity guidance' (Apr 03)
Guidance for managers on implementing the policies on business integrity and political involvement set out in The way we work. More >>
'Rio Tinto human rights guidance' (Apr 03)
Guidance for managers on implementing the human rights policy set out in The way we work, Rio Tinto’s statement of business practice. More >>
'Sustainable commitments' – World Bank environment strategy (Nov 01)
Editorial team included Daniel Litvin. More >>
'Fuel for thought' – World Bank energy sector environment strategy (Jun 00)
Editorial team included Daniel Litvin. More >>
Survey of global development - published by The Economist (Mar 98)
In depth Economist survey. More >>
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