‘Resources slump: slash & burn?’ – published by Ethical Corporation
Oil & mining firms are slashing investment as commodity prices drop. For their own sake, the socio-political fall out will need sensitive management
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News and Articles
Oilsands will be ‘in line with standards’ – Interview with Mel Knight
Alberta Energy Minister Mel Knight makes the case for a future oilsands industry as clean as conventional oil
Hot, flat, crowded – and broke
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?
‘EITI can help solve energy insecurity’: 60 second Q&A with EITI head
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.
‘Sabre rattling over an OPEC for gas’: BBC World Service interview
A new alliance between Russia, Iran and Qatar over global gas supplies is driven partly by a quest for political influence, comments Daniel Litvin.
‘The big banks & CSR: Crisis? What crisis?’- published by Prospect
This era’s greatest episode of financial irresponsibility almost brought capitalism to its knees. So where on earth was the corporate responsibility movement?
‘Money & morals in rogue regimes’ – published by Mining Environmental Management
Resource companies face global criticism when they deal with abusive governments. Whether they deserve it depends on their approach
‘The real destruction is coming’: 60 second Q&A with Nigeria’s oil rebels
The most prominent armed militant group from Nigeria’s oil region issues a fresh threat in an email interview with Critical Resource
Critical Resource update, including The Economist & BBC interviews
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.
‘A dangerous new energy source?’ – published by The World Today
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
‘Human rights: the next climate change?’ 60 seconds Q&A with John Ruggie
The UN special representative is trying to recast the business & human rights debate. Will he succeed? Critical Resource catches up with him
Critical Resource update
New associate joins, research on the geopolitics of resources, progress on our risk rating tool LicenseSecure™, and examples of recent work
‘Chasing Iraqi oil’ – interview with International Security Network
Major oil companies are on the verge of deals which appear to seal their future influence in Iraqi oil development – potential pitfalls are numerous
‘An unfunny Gag in Indonesia’ – published by Ethical Corporation
A controversial multi-billion dollar project on the tropical island of Gag poses complex issues for BHP Billiton, the world’s largest mining company.
‘Scramble for Arctic oil’ – Interview with BBC World Service
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.
‘Oil – paying the political price’ – published by BBC website
Worried about the growing cost of oil? Here’s another reason to worry: the effect of the high oil price on international politics.
‘Backlash fuels supply problems’ – published by The Telegraph
Western political leaders are showing themselves to be embarrassingly impotent, at least when it comes to influencing the oil price.
‘Investing in rogue regimes’ – interview with BBC World Service
What are the issues and risks for firms investing in regimes such as Zimbabwe? Daniel Litvin comments in this radio interview
‘Ethical confusion in the Congo’ – published by the Mining Journal
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.
‘The rights and wrongs of HRIAs’ – published by the Mining Journal
Human rights impact assessments (HRIAs) are attracting high-level support. Do they add value to existing assessment processes?
‘Dangerous moves in the Iraqi oil game’ – published by Ethical Corporation
Companies which strike oil deals with the Kurdish region in Iraq may be helping to undermine the process of Iraqi national conciliation.