Global Scans · Resources · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: The world is depleting its natural resources at an alarming rate due to population growth and over consumption. Increased competition for ever-diminishing food and water resources may amplify socio-economically motivated armed conflicts and causing quests for more efficient resources on and beyond Planet Earth.

• [New] The renewed drive for exploration arises as demand for critical minerals is expected to quadruple by 2040, positioning Africa as a key frontier in the global race for resources. ALN | Africa Legal Network
• [New] India aims to achieve 60% of cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2035. Outlook Business
• [New] Major outages and grid disruptions in Texas and California underscore the importance of maintaining enough energy resources that providers can quickly turn on during periods of extreme weather, including winter storms and heatwaves. Fraser Institute
• [New] Global energy and natural resources companies are not giving up on renewable energy investments, but more executives expect the world to reach net zero emissions by 2070 or later. Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen
• [New] As the world moves towards a phase of water bankruptcy, sustainable and cooperative management of water resources will be crucial for global stability and development. eKuhipath
• [New] The developer, Fermi America, plans to use hybrid air / water cooling systems and says it is investigating the use of recycled water to conserve resources. Consumer Reports
• [New] A long-term, European comprehensive security assistance program for Ukraine can ensure that Ukraine will remain the main threat to Russia and that Russian military resources remain focused on it. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
• [New] The California PUC unanimously voted to order state load-serving entities to procure an additional 6 GW of zero-emitting resources between 2029 to 2032. National Conference of State Legislatures
• [New] By 2030 there could be a 40% global shortfall in freshwater resources while demand increases by more than 20%, making desalination technology all the more essential. Atlantic Council
• [New] Regional energy self-sufficiency in Central Canada could improve in the Canada Net-Zero scenario, with lower fossil fuel consumption and higher use of domestically produced resources like electricity and hydrogen. Yahoo Finance
• [New] The Government of Zambia has announced an ambitious plan to increase its electricity generation capacity to approximately 10,000 megawatts by 2030, aiming to address persistent power shortages and support long-term economic growth. Industrial Info Resources
• [New] China Mineral Resources Group told mills and traders they will be barred from taking delivery of Newman fines held at ports starting late next week, widening restrictions on BHP ore during 2026 contract talks. / China The Asia Cable
• [New] Russia's dominance over half the Arctic coastline and China's deepening no limits partnership with Moscow are reshaping access to resources, routes, and influence, raising risks of escalation. Atlantic Council
• Industry forecasts project that the United States could deploy more than 90 GW of additional storage capacity between 2025 and 2030, driven by rising electricity demand, continued renewable generation growth, and a heightened need for flexible grid resources. JD Supra
• The moon harbors resources like rare earth elements, which are mined for electronics on Earth, as well as a potential gold mine in its stocks of helium-3, which could eventually be used in nuclear fusion reactors to make near-limitless clean energy. Live Science
• Shooting for the moon fulfills a broader strategy to find and use resources off Earth, which could make space exploration cheaper because not everything is made on Earth and transported elsewhere. Live Science
• By 2026, lithium mines could impact water resources for over 2 million acres of US farmland. Farmonaut
• Markets with abundant solar resources such as the Middle East and Australia are expected to produce hydrogen at lower costs compared to regions relying on imported renewable electricity. openpr
• By 2026, drone mines, drone in mining, and drone gold will be integral to finding, developing, and managing the world's mineral resources. Farmonaut
• Natural Resources Canada's Multi-Partner Research Initiative will continue to provide funding for research projects related to oil fate, behaviour, environmental impacts, and spill response in marine, coastal, and freshwater environments. Transport Canada

Last updated: 01 April 2026