Alberta's natural resources: today's wealth for future generations

This study examines how Alberta can use its non-renewable resources to attain sustainable economic growth for the benefit of future generations. Alberta’s large natural resource abundance has allowed it to enjoy strong economic prosperity. Unfortunately, current government policies don’t ensure that future generations will also be able to benefit from this resource wealth. This study compares the government policies of Norway, Chile, Botswana and Alaska in order to identify best practices in sustainable non-renewable resource management. The best practices identified include the collection of resource rent, government involvement in the extraction of resources, systematic allocation of resource revenues in a long-term fund governed by legislation, transparent and accountable use of resource revenue and investment in human and natural capital. I recommend Alberta invest 50% of resource revenues into the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund and use the investment income to fund programs targeted at increasing human and natural capital.