Journal of Resources and Ecology ›› 2013, Vol. 4 ›› Issue (1): 1-10.DOI: 10.5814/j.issn.1674-764x.2013.01.001

• Articles •     Next Articles

Natural Resource Regulation on Regional Economic Development in China: Concepts, Framework and Practices

GU Shuzhong1, ZHOU Hong2,3, YAO Yulong2   

  1. 1 Institute of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy, DRC, Beijing 100010, China;
    2 Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, Beijing 100101, China;
    3 University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100049, China
  • Received:2012-12-17 Revised:2013-03-12 Online:2013-03-30 Published:2013-03-26
  • Supported by:

    National Natural Science Foundation of China (70873119; 40871253).

Abstract: The current economic development model in China is highly dependent on natural resource consumption, and this has resulted in severe economic and social problems. Changes in natural resource restrictions are challenging the future sustainable development of the regional economy. Here, we propose a new concept called Natural Resource Regulation on Regional Economic Development (NRR). NRR is an application of government regulation to natural resources, aimed at regulating and controlling regional development. It is a set of constraints on the exploration, exploitation, utilization, operation and protection of natural resources carried out by government. This concept focuses on two aspects: the management of natural resources, and using natural resources as a tool to regulate and control the regional economy and social development. NRR mainly consists of four layers: regulation by law (RL), regulation by plans (RP), regulation by standards (RS) and concrete regulation by control indicators (RI). In addition, social participation and supervision, monitoring and evaluation, rewards and punishments are also indispensable for the framework of NRR. According to the types of resources, practical regulation of land, water, energy and environment are stricter than that of marine, mineral and forest in China. The systems of RL, RP and RS in China are basically established and have achieved considerable results, while concrete RI is still fragmented.

Key words: regulation, economic development, natural resource base, China