How ASEAN Regulates the Growth of the Nickel Industry in ASEAN Member States: Balancing Economic Development With Biodiversity Depletion
ASEAN is an ethnically diverse region with abundant natural resources that contribute significantly to global economic growth and stability. At its core, the ASEAN community strives to foster peace, collaboration, and sustainable resource usage in order to improve the quality of life for all of its citizens. ASEAN is an international organization in the South East Asia region that comprises member states with diverse and abundant natural resources, one of which includes nickel. Nickel exploration, exploitation, and export is currently referred to as "The New Gold" in global trade and economics. This resource is like a two-sided coin; it has a good impact on economic growth while simultaneously having a detrimental impact on environmental aspects such as biodiversity loss. The global shift from fossil fuels to clean energy technologies encourages ASEAN to actively participate in a strict and consistent role to hegemonize an uncontaminated environment and create a flourishing society.