Relevance: Understanding the relationship between economic growth, resource consumption, and social development is crucial for sustainable policy-making. While economic expansion is often linked to improved well-being, its effects depend on material consumption patterns and energy dependency. Goals: This study aims to examine how domestic material consumption (DMC) and energy structure influence human development, particularly across different economic contexts. Methods: Using a panel data approach, the research applies econometric models to analyze the impact of DMC and energy dependency on social indicators. Results: Findings indicate that excessive DMC can hinder sustainable progress, while a higher share of renewable energy contributes to long-term social development and economic stability. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for resource-efficient policies and energy diversification, contributing to the literature on sustainable growth and development strategies.

The weakness of the control function of governments and central banks was the main regulatory cause of the global financial crisis (GFC) broke out in 2007, but the suboptimal regulatory environment «corrupted» the quality of internal control and audit of banks as well. After the crisis, corporate governance issues appeared in the focus of international organizations. In this paper, we present the relevant international recommendations aimed at improvement of the weak corporate governance practices of the banking sector. Based on the comparison of pre- and post-crisis internal control functionalities which are presented as a meta-analysis and a systematic review of the existing empirical researches, the authors conclude that the stricter guidelines could and can have a positive impact on banks' operations stabilizing through the strengthening of internal control practices.