Resource nationalism
Topic: Environment and Sustainable Development · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Resource nationalism is when governments tighten control over the natural resources in their country. They may nationalise mines, ban exports of raw ore, raise royalties (the fees paid for extracting resources) or put controls on exports. The aim is to keep more value, jobs or strategic power at home. It matters greatly for critical minerals, which are minerals essential for clean energy and national security whose supply is at risk. India listed 30 critical minerals in 2023.
Example
China has placed export controls on gallium, germanium and rare earths, which are needed for electronics and clean-energy technology. Indonesia banned the export of nickel ore so that processing would happen inside the country. Both moves make supplies less certain for importers such as India.
Related concepts
- Energy transition
- Energy trilemma
- Energy intensity
- Coal phase-down
- Grey hydrogen
- Blue hydrogen
- Green hydrogen
- Green ammonia
- Hydrogen economy
- Green premium