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Transparency in the Extractive Industries: Time to Ask for More

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  • Raimund Bleischwitz

    (Institutional Research Information Service, University College London)

Abstract

Amid accusations of tax avoidance directed towards some of the world’s largest multinationals, governments around the globe have started to act. Triggered by the 2010 US Dodd-Frank Act (Section 1504), the EU passed ambitious legislation in June 2013 on transparency. In this article I discuss those policies, along with extractive industries initiatives. I argue that transparency norms should be extended to environmental pressures. A driving force could be the vision of increasing revenues and public investments for green economies in resource-rich developing countries, with global prosperity stemming from increasing resource efficiency and lowering environmental risks along international value chains. Accordingly, I develop two scenarios for the future: a “realistic” one with limited participation, weak enforcement, and cumulated ensuing risks; and an “opportunity” scenario, which involves taking opportunities for cooperation and resource efficiency. Finally, I draw conclusions and provide recommendations toward a global environmental politics with a strong transparency component.

Suggested Citation

  • Raimund Bleischwitz, 2014. "Transparency in the Extractive Industries: Time to Ask for More," Global Environmental Politics, MIT Press, vol. 14(4), pages 1-9, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:glenvp:v:14:y:2014:i:4:p:1-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Raimund Bleischwitz & Paul J.J. Welfens & ZhongXiang Zhang (ed.), 2011. "International Economics of Resource Efficiency," Springer Books, Springer, number 978-3-7908-2601-2, December.
    2. Jennifer M. Brinkerhoff & Derick W. Brinkerhoff & Susan Ariel Aaronson, 2011. "Limited partnership: Business, government, civil society, and the public in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)," Public Administration & Development, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 31(1), pages 50-63, February.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    transparency; green economies; global environmental politics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F5 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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