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Sustainable Development and Economy: Mineral Resources, Energy Consumption and Economic Growth

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Resources and Sustainable Utilization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 October 2023) | Viewed by 23152

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yongguang Zhu

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Guest Editor

School of Economics and Management, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Interests: mineral and energy economics

Dr. Na Zhou

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Guest Editor

School of Public Administration, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Interests: energy security; minerals supply chain; sustainable development goals

Dr. Zhe You

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Guest Editor

School of Law and Business, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205, China
Interests: mineral resources; energy consumption and economic growth

Dr. Kailei Liu

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Guest Editor

Economics & Technology Research Institute, China National Petroleum Corporation, Beijing, China
Interests: energy security; energy transition

Prof. Dr. Deyi Xu

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Guest Editor

School of Economic and Management Science, China University of Geo-sciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, China
Interests: mineral and energy economics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The energy transition is an important factor in realizing sustainable development goals, and it is thought that it will have profound global technological and economic impacts. Global economic and technological changes have created strong demand for important minerals that could contribute to meeting net-zero and sustainable development goals. However, mineral extraction is a double-edged sword because it may negatively impact the environment and society. Non-market factors, disruption to global trade networks, and labor dynamics in countries with critical minerals have led to increased uncertainty in their supplies during the energy transition.

For this Special Issue, we intend to collect papers on mineral resources, energy, sustainable development, and the economy that analyze the role of energy and mineral resources in future sustainable development. Original research articles and reviews are welcome, and topics may include (but are not limited to) the following:

The role of energy and mineral resources in SDGs;
Mineral resources, energy demand, and economic growth;
The demand for energy and critical minerals for new technology;
Critical mineral supply risk during the energy transition;
Environmental justice regarding the exploitation of mineral resources in the energy transition.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Yongguang Zhu
Dr. Na Zhou
Dr. Zhe You
Dr. Kailei Liu
Prof. Dr. Deyi Xu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

mineral resources
energy
SDGs

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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26 pages, 5612 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Detailed Examination of China’s Clean Energy Mineral Consumption: Footprints, Trends, and Drivers

by Chuandi Fang, Jinhua Cheng, Zhe You, Jiahao Chen and Jing Peng

Sustainability 2023, 15(23), 16255; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152316255 - 24 Nov 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1973

Abstract

As the global clean energy transition accelerates, China’s mining industry faces pressing challenges concerning the sustainable consumption of clean energy minerals. This study employed the EE-MRIO model to investigate the consumption trends of clean energy minerals across various provinces and industries in China from 2012 to 2017, specifically focusing on the resource footprints of copper, nickel, molybdenum, zinc, and cobalt. Using the random forest model, we identified the driving factors, with the goal of offering a solid scientific foundation for strategic decision making. Our findings reveal marked disparities in resource footprints among provinces, which are correlated with regional industrialization, urbanization trends, and resource reserves. Beyond the traditional resource-intensive sectors, industries like finance and real estate have significantly impacted the resource footprint. Monte Carlo simulations further validated the reliability of our model. The random forest analysis indicates that population size and energy consumption mainly determine the footprints of copper and zinc. In contrast, the footprints of nickel and cobalt are primarily influenced by technology market turnover, while molybdenum’s footprint is largely driven by population size and total carbon emissions. Drawing from these insights, we suggest several policy recommendations for clean energy mineral extraction. These include fostering inter-provincial resource collaboration, bolstering geological exploration and assessment, promoting technological innovation, advancing environmentally friendly mineral extraction techniques, and enhancing collaboration between urban planning and pivotal industries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development and Economy: Mineral Resources, Energy Consumption and Economic Growth)

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14 pages, 2015 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Iron Ore Price Prediction Based on Multiple Linear Regression Model

by Yanyi Wang, Zhenwei Guo, Yunrui Zhang, Xiangping Hu and Jianping Xiao

Sustainability 2023, 15(22), 15864; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152215864 - 12 Nov 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5458

Abstract

The fluctuation of iron ore prices is one of the most important factors affecting policy. Therefore, the accurate prediction of iron ore prices has significant value in analysis and judgment regarding future changes in policies. In this study, we propose a correlation analysis to extract eight influencing factors of iron ore prices and introduce multiple linear regression analysis to the prediction. With historical data, we establish a model to forecast iron ore prices from 2020 to 2024. Taking prices in 2018 and 2019 as samples to test the applicability of the model, we obtain an acceptable level of error between the predicted iron ore prices and the actual prices. The prediction model based on multiple linear regression has high prediction accuracy. Iron ore prices will show a relatively stable upward trend over the next five years without the effects of COVID-19. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development and Economy: Mineral Resources, Energy Consumption and Economic Growth)

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18 pages, 776 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Innovation-Driven Effect of Digital Economy on Real Economy—A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis from an R&D Perspective

by Guoteng Xu, Jingtong Shan, Chengjiang Li, Xia Chen and Na Zhou

Sustainability 2023, 15(21), 15370; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152115370 - 27 Oct 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2335

Abstract

The rising integration of China’s digital economy with its real economy is propelling the global economy toward a new stage of system reconstruction, profoundly affecting the economic and social development, national governance, and lives of various countries. Formulating and implementing a development strategy for the digital economy is crucial for China. However, there is a lack of research on the innovation-driven relationship between the digital economy and the real economy using authoritative statistics. This paper addresses this gap by adopting Romer’s R&D model and theories from other scholars, thereby constructing an innovation-driven analysis model. Leveraging over 10,000 authoritative statistics and econometric regression, it quantitatively assesses the innovation-driven effect of China’s digital economy on the real economy at both national and regional levels. The study concludes with empirical-based development suggestions to promote the profound integration and innovation within China’s digital and real economies, thereby offering an objective and valuable reference. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development and Economy: Mineral Resources, Energy Consumption and Economic Growth)

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29 pages, 6670 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synergistic Evolution of China’s Green Economy and Digital Economy Based on LSTM-GM and Grey Absolute Correlation

by Guoteng Xu, Shuai Peng, Chengjiang Li and Xia Chen

Sustainability 2023, 15(19), 14156; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914156 - 25 Sep 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1930

Abstract

This study aims to understand the synergistic evolution of the green and digital economies towards sustainable development. Previous research lacked quantitative analysis, which hindered the development of a comprehensive understanding. An evaluation index system is established using the CRITIC and entropy weight combination methods. The TOPSIS model is utilized to evaluate indicators and derive a comprehensive development index for both economies. The LSTM-GM model is employed to predict the evolutionary trends for the next five years. The absolute grey correlation model is applied to analyze historical and future synergistic evolutionary trends. Findings show increasing levels of green and digital economic development. The digital economy promotes green economic development by enhancing efficiency through innovation and upgrades. The green economy facilitates the structural adjustment of the digital economy by reducing emissions and enhancing resource utilization. Predictions indicate a steady growth in both economies and an increasing synergistic evolution. Based on the analysis, policy recommendations are proposed to promote the integration and development of the digital and green economies, facilitating high-quality synergistic growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development and Economy: Mineral Resources, Energy Consumption and Economic Growth)

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24 pages, 2841 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Green Eco-Innovation and Supply of Critical Metals: Evidence from China

by Shengzhe Ruan, Yi Song, Jinhua Cheng and Cheng Zhan

Sustainability 2023, 15(17), 12730; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151712730 - 23 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1902

Abstract

Ensuring a green supply of critical metals is essential to achieve high-quality economic development and ecological security. Based on data from 2000 to 2019 on five critical metals in China (copper, aluminum, nickel, antimony, and titanium), this study employs a series of econometric methods, such as fixed-effects regression and moderating effects, to examine the influence of green eco-innovation on primary and recycling supply of critical metals, as well as the underlying mechanisms. The findings indicate: (1) Green eco-innovation has an inverted U-shaped impact on the primary supply of bulk critical metals, and it is currently in the declining phase of the curve. (2) Green eco-innovation has a U-shaped impact on the recycling supply of critical metals and the primary supply of minor critical metals. The former is currently in the rising phase of the curve, while the latter is in the declining phase. (3) The impact of green eco-innovation on the supply of critical metals is stronger in industrially underdeveloped regions. (4) The improvement of energy efficiency, optimization of energy structure, and strengthening of environmental regulations enhance the impact of green eco-innovation on the supply of critical metals. Finally, the optimization of the energy mix is conducive to securing the supply of key metals. This study provides a theoretical basis for utilizing green eco-innovation to achieve a green supply of critical metals and enriches the theoretical research on green eco-innovation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development and Economy: Mineral Resources, Energy Consumption and Economic Growth)

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24 pages, 1310 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Spillover Effect of Different Types of Technological Innovation on New Energy Industry: Taking China’s Solar Photovoltaic as an Example

by Hua Gao and Zhenghao Meng

Sustainability 2023, 15(10), 8067; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15108067 - 16 May 2023

Viewed by 1800

Abstract

Technological innovation has always played a very important role in the development of new energy industries. This paper takes the solar photovoltaic industry as an object of study, taking into account the diffusion of technological advances and the different roles of different technological innovations, and uses a spatial econometric SDM model to analyze the spillover effects of different types of technological advances on the solar industry in China. It is found that for the PV industry, efficiency-enhancing technological advances have the most significant impact, with efficiency-enhancing technologies contributing significantly to the annual electricity production of the PV industry; safety-enhancing technological advances having the second highest impact on the industry’s development; and cost-reducing technological advances have no significant impact on the industry. The study also found that due to the positive externalities of technological innovation, the spillover effect of technological innovation between regions has a significant impact on the development of the regional solar PV industry. In the long term, the direct effect of efficiency-enhancing technological innovation on the development of the PV industry is significantly positive, while the direct effect of safety-enhancing technological innovation on the development of the PV industry is significantly negative. Therefore, in the future, China’s solar energy industry should combine the capital investment of different types of science and technology into research and development, fully consider the impact of regional and technological spillover on industrial development, use technological innovation spillover to promote technological exchange and progress, and continuously improve the level of equipment operation safety, output efficiency, and electricity cost. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development and Economy: Mineral Resources, Energy Consumption and Economic Growth)

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Review

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22 pages, 3691 KiB

Open AccessReview

Methanol Vehicles in China: A Review from a Policy Perspective

by Chengjiang Li, Tingwen Jia, Shiyuan Wang, Xiaolin Wang, Michael Negnevitsky, Honglei Wang, Yujie Hu, Weibin Xu, Na Zhou and Gang Zhao

Sustainability 2023, 15(12), 9201; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129201 - 7 Jun 2023

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 6633

Abstract

Mature methanol vehicle technology with low exhaust emissions and economic benefits are a viable way to mitigate oil dependency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, pilot projects for methanol vehicles have been carried out in 10 different cities in China over the last decade. They positively affect the economy and the environment, as shown by the acceptance results. This study chronologically reviewed the previous development and adopted pertinent policies determine the feasibility of deploying methanol vehicles from national to provincial levels. Based on the analysis and evaluations, the local government is suggested to make the following dynamic policy recommendations: (a) Before reaching the “carbon peak”, development strategies should be formulated according to the resource situation of each region. Priority should be given to the deployment of coal-to-methanol vehicles and bio-methanol vehicles to maximize the economy, so as to promote the construction of transmission and distribution systems, advance the manufacturing process of methanol fuel, and prepare the technology for the next stage. (b) In the second stage, the advancement of CO₂-to-methanol technology should be promoted, focusing on the development of green methanol vehicles to better contribute to the “carbon neutrality”. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development and Economy: Mineral Resources, Energy Consumption and Economic Growth)

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