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] Increasing scarcity of natural resources is expected to heighten competition between states and non-state actors, exacerbate existing conflicts and create new security challenges for the UK and its allies. Altiorem
• [New] China supports the Tas Tepeler Project both financially and through human resources. Daily Sabah
• [New] With a population of 130 million, a highly open commercial framework, and its strategic integration into North America, Mexico offers immense potential in natural resources, financial systems, and infrastructure development. Mexico Business
• [New] Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources issued 138 new mining licenses in Nov (taking the total to 2719 as of Nov), reflecting its structural diversification strategy and building on a record increase in exploration activity during 2025. Nasser Saidi & Associates
• [New] By 2030, global water demand could outstrip available resources by around 40%. Vinylone
• [New] AI could lose its social permission to compete for resources such as energy, for example, if it failed to generate benefits beyond a few powerful tech firms - such as the rapid development of effective new drugs. The Guardian
• [New] The pilot facility in Qaqortoq, Greenland, currently being developed by Critical Metals Corp, is estimated to hold at least 45 million tonnes in resources, which could eventually deliver much-needed supply to North America and Europe. Tech Policy Press
• [New] An aggressive global CapEx pipeline and evolving AI needs support sustained demand for natural resources, specialized labour and niche industrial suppliers, and potential investment opportunities with it. Morningstar, Inc.
• [New] A successful settlement could allow resources to shift toward reconstructing Ukraine and building a new European security order, while maintaining deterrence. Yeni Safak
• [New] While the US diverts the resources that should be protected for fundamental research toward dubious but expensive endeavours like large AI datacenters and nuclear reactors on the Moon, basic science will largely have to continue elsewhere in the world. Big Think
• [New] Tying down China in the Pacific helps prevent Beijing from intervening in other regions, which could otherwise force the United States to stretch its resources thin and reduce the effectiveness of strategies formulated by policymakers. Modern Diplomacy
• [New] In 2026, the energy demands of thousands of data centers could begin to strain global resources. Dayforce
• [New] AI for Earth program applies AI to track forests, water resources, and climate hazards. Carbon Credits
• [New] With the global population projected to cross 8.5 billion by 2030, agriculture is under pressure to produce more food using limited land and fewer resources. Farmonaut
• [New] Nations that secure technological leadership, strengthen regional partnerships, and ensure access to critical resources will shape the contours of 21st-century global trade. Diplomatist
• [New] Mutual recognition could increase Canada's GDP by up to 7.9%, unlocking as much as $200 billion annually and improving productivity by reducing regulatory delays and freeing resources for innovation and growth. Miller Wood Trade Publications
• [New] The raw geological value of Greenland's known mineral resources could, in theory, exceed $4tr (€3.66tr). Euronews
• [New] Bangladesh has considerable potential for wind energy resources. The Daily Star
• [New] To strengthen human resources (HR) and tourism financing, workforce competitiveness will be improved through an upskilling program targeting 400,000 people per year, while ensuring fiscal sustainability through the establishment of the Indonesia Quality Tourism Fund. Antara
• [New] Envisioned projects include exploiting mineral resources in Scandinavian countries and establishing Arctic sea routes that link northeastern Chinese ports with Norway, which then feed into continental rail networks. Geopolitical Monitor
• [New] By 2035, space mining might not only support Earth's industries with new resources but also initiate a new industry sector that will redefine global economic power structures. Futurist Keynote Speaker on AI Leadership, Future of Wo
• [New] As organizations grapple with constraints stemming from limited resources, rising costs, and global disruptions, digital twins offer a lifeline - a powerful tool to simulate, optimize, and predict outcomes in real time. Futurist Keynote Speaker on AI Leadership, Future of Wo
• [New] Alarmingly, 88% of surveyed organizations report major recruitment and retention difficulties, and only one in 10 feels extremely confident that they have the resources to operate beyond the in 2027. The Guardian

Last updated: 28 January 2026