Abstract
This study explores the driving factors of resource consumption patterns in order to identify historical trends in population, affluence, and technology that affect environmental impact reduction through low resource consumption. While such assessments have been conducted in many industrialized countries, similar studies have yet to be conducted in developing countries. This study compares the material flow and accumulation trends of Myanmar, the Philippines, and Bangladesh for three periods spanning 1985–2010. It uses an analytical framework to identify the impacts of human activities on the environment via the following formula: Impact = Population × Affluence × Technology. The Philippines is a newly industrialized country, Bangladesh a resource importer, and Myanmar a primary resource provider and, thus, the fundamental differences in their development and economic structures provide a strong foundation for comparing the driving factors of their resource use. This study finds that efficiency improvement results in reduced resource consumption. This indicates that stronger technology improvement policies are required to mitigate environmental impacts. The capture of real trends from driving factors can ensure that development policies result in a sustainable future for the Asia–Pacific region.
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Maung, K.N., Martinico-Perez, M.F.G., Komatsu, T. et al. Comparative studies on the driving factors of resource flows in Myanmar, the Philippines, and Bangladesh. Environ Econ Policy Stud 17, 407–429 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10018-014-0087-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10018-014-0087-9