Sustainable Development in Extractive Industries: Opportunities and Challenges

Course Description

"Natural Resource Governance: Harnessing Extractive Industries for Sustainable Development" is an innovative 12-week course designed to equip participants with comprehensive knowledge and skills in managing natural resources sustainably. Developed by the Natural Resource Governance Institute, the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment, and the World Bank, this course offers a unique opportunity to explore the complex interplay between extractive industries, sustainable development, and environmental stewardship.

What Students Will Learn

The historical context and evolution of extractive industries
Strategies for translating natural resource wealth into sustainable development outcomes
The impact of governance on long-term economic development in extractive industries
Policies essential for sustainable management of natural resource wealth
The importance of effective communication between government, industry, and citizens in resource management
Balancing sustainable resource use with business investment

Prerequisites

This intermediate-level course does not have any specific prerequisites. However, a basic understanding of environmental science, sustainable development, or business concepts would be beneficial.

Course Coverage

History and challenges of oil, gas, and mining industries
Political economy of natural resources
Industry considerations and policy fundamentals
Legal and regulatory frameworks for extractive industries
Fiscal regime design and revenue collection
Environmental impact management and climate change considerations
Community rights and social impact
Artisanal and small-scale mining
Revenue management and economic linkages
Investing in sustainable development beyond extractives
Citizen engagement and aligning extractive industries with SDGs

Who This Course Is For

Sustainable development practitioners and private-sector actors in corporate sustainability and renewable energy
Extractive industry professionals seeking to enhance sustainability in their field
Graduate and advanced undergraduate students studying extractives, environmental science, environmental law, sustainable development, or sustainable business
Climate change activists and practitioners interested in balancing resource use and business investment

Real-World Application of Skills

Graduates of this course will be well-equipped to:

Develop sustainable strategies for natural resource management in both public and private sectors
Implement effective governance frameworks for extractive industries
Design and execute environmental impact assessments
Engage with local communities and address social concerns related to extractive projects
Create policies that balance economic growth with environmental protection
Contribute to the alignment of extractive industries with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Syllabus

Module 1: Challenges and opportunities

Module 2: Political economy of natural resources

Module 3: Fundamentals of oil, gas, and mining: industry considerations and policy

Module 4: Legal overview

Module 5: Fiscal regime design and revenue collection

Module 6: Anticipating and managing environmental issues

Module 7: Community rights

Module 8: Artisanal mining

Module 9: Revenue management

Module 10: Investing in sustainable development: Economic linkages to the extractives sector

Module 11: Investing in sustainable development: Looking beyond extractives

Module 12: Cross-cutting considerations and looking ahead

This comprehensive course offers a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills in natural-resource-governance, extractive-industry management, and sustainable-development practices. By enrolling, you'll join a global movement of citizens and practitioners committed to harnessing the transformational impacts of our natural resources while addressing critical environmental-challenges and promoting sustainable-business practices.