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] For the EU, internal divisions over how to allocate resources and support innovation threaten to undermine the unity needed to compete on the world stage. Grand Pinnacle Tribune
• [New] Well-managed organizations are paying attention to their environmental and community impacts, continue to enhance their management of human resources, and will never stop searching globally for top-quality staff. Columbia SPS
• [New] OMB and White House guidance (and agency AI plans) are directing agencies to adopt AI procurement controls and risk assessment processes, and the GSA and other agencies are standing up AI acquisition resources and vehicle options. JD Supra
• [New] The increasing global demand for water resources, coupled with the growing need for reliable and sustainable water management systems, presents significant investment opportunities. PEOPLE
• [New] In energy and environmental projects, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources signed with East Hope to establish the Astana Energy Eco-Park and with Shaanxi Construction Engineering Kazakhstan to build a waste-to-energy plant in Shymkent. The Astana Times
• [New] Proposed Marine Protected Areas would lead to the loss of the opportunity to develop hydrocarbon resources by Russia on the continental shelf of Antarctica. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• [New] Exploration and development of PGM resources could become more attractive, especially where operations are cost-competitive and relatively resilient to global supply shocks. Africa Mining and Engineering Review
• [New] If China can build power capacity faster than the U.S., it does not matter how good American models are-Beijing will have the computational resources to train bigger and better systems. Educational Technology and Change Journal
• [New] Critical minerals exports currently comprise a small share of Australia's resources exports and even under an ambitious set of assumptions Australia's annual critical mineral production could be (only) around 1.5 times higher in 2050 than in 2030. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• [New] Europe could greatly benefit from improved management of its domestic resources, hence reducing external dependencies. The Joint Research Centre: EU Science Hub
• [New] Other innovative finance mechanisms like the Tropical Forest Forever Facility, that will be launched by the Brazil Government at COP 30, will mobilize public, private and philanthropy resources to increase finance flows towards developing countries. United Nations Environment Programme
• [New] South Africa's vanadium resources are strategically located in regions like Mpumalanga province, which presents opportunities for industrial transition from coal-based economic activities toward clean energy technologies. Discovery Alert
• [New] Over the next five years, the Regional Conservation Partnership Program project will provide grants and technical support to farmers across 25 counties in central Minnesota, helping them upgrade irrigation systems, improve nitrogen management, and protect groundwater resources. Agweek
• [New] The resource potential of Canada's Arctic, despite the challenges it presents, could be developed sooner under favourable world prices of resources. Transport Canada
• [New] Emerging economies are putting added pressure on the world's renewable and non-renewable resources - a trend that will sustain growth in resource-rich countries like Canada. Transport Canada
• [New] In the north Indo-Pacific, a geostrategic game is unfolding, one in which control over sea lanes, resources and influence will shape the 21st century. DebateUS
• [New] By unlocking the potential of commercial nuclear energy and easing restrictions on North Sea oil and gas, Britain can secure affordable, reliable energy from its own resources. Electricity Info
• [New] Patagonia has impressive wind resources, with research by CONICET and national universities in Rio Negro and northern Patagonia showing capacity factors - that is, how much energy a wind farm actually produces compared with the maximum it could produce - of close to 50%. Buenos Aires Herald
• [New] Economy: China's expanded presence and influence in the Arctic and space will increase competition for resources, access to trade routes and new economic opportunities. Merics
• [New] Leading AI companies invest strategically in fewer, high-priority opportunities and focus 70% of their resources on people and processes, with only 20% on technology and 10% on algorithms. Nextgov/FCW
• [New] Challenges could include persistent supply chain bottlenecks, rising geopolitical tensions impacting trade, and the ongoing pressure to meet increasing global food demand with finite resources. FinancialContent
• [New] For Washington, keen to secure mineral supply chains vital for advanced manufacturing and clean energy, Pakistan's resources are a strategic opportunity. Asia Society
• [New] To make the investments needed for a modern power grid, the U.S. will have to source a wide range of critical natural resources both domestically and through strategic international partnerships. Highland Associates

Last updated: 05 November 2025