Abstract:

This paper is part of a larger survey upon the relationships between the extractive industry in Romania, with its major components (oil, natural gas, coal and minerals), on one hand, and sustainable development and environmental protection in view to this industry, on the other hand. As extractive industry is widely recognized as a major contributor to damaging the environment, appropriate measures that alleviate these damages must be taken into consideration. Hence, this paper deals with identifying the main features and characteristics of extractive industry and how the State conducts strategies and policies concerning sustainable development and protection of the environment.