Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources

Level: AS Levels, A Level, GCSE – Exam Boards: Edexcel, AQA, OCR, WJEC, IB, Eduqas – Economics Revision Notes 

Renewable Resources

• Resources which can be naturally replenished over time since there is access to a continuous source of clean energy
• These resources can be used as often as needed and will not run out in the future, making them sustainable
• Examples: solar energy, wind energy, geothermal and biomass

Non-Renewable Resources

• Resources which will eventually become depleted and cannot be replenished once run out
• Continuous consumption of these resources will lead to exhaustion
• Examples: coal, oil, platinum and gold

Quick Fire Quiz – Knowledge Check

1. Define a ‘Renewable Resource’ (2 marks)

2. Identify three examples of a Renewable Resource (3 marks)

3. Define a ‘Non-Renewable Resource’ (2 marks)

4. Identify three examples of a Non-Renewable Resource (3 marks)

Next Revision Topics

• Scarcity – The Economic Problem
• Factors of Production
• PPF
• Supply
• Demand
• Subsidy

A Level Economics Past Papers

• AQA
• Edexcel
• OCR
• WJEC